So  my wife & I were just heading out to the shops, when about 200yds from home I got a gearbox fault message (was still driving OK), followed by a red battery warning light. Turned around, got to the house where the car died completely. Now blocking neighbour’s driveway and can’t lock the car!
AA on the way, but I wonder what they will be able to do, given that the battery is in the boot, which won’t open!

Ho-hum!

Oh dear... You can open the boot with the key up under the chrome lip.. Hopefully just a dead battery killing everything else? 

Good luck

That sounds more like the alternator giving up. 

Seems it was a dead short in the battery, which was almost melting in the boot! New battery coming tomorrow morning.

40 minutes ago, Jon Hyde said:

Seems it was a dead short in the battery, which was almost melting in the boot! New battery coming tomorrow morning.

That’s a relief and much cheaper than a new alternator.

Fingers crossed!

Hi All,

I've been reading lots of posts concerning all the resets needed when a new battery is fitted - they all seem a bit of a faff, but I guess I'll just have to work through them!

One problem remains (once the new battery is fitted) - I don't have the code for the radio!

Some people have said that an XF doesn't need a radio code though. Is there a definitive answer? Can't bear the thought of no music or satnav!

Cheers,

Jon

1 hour ago, Jon Hyde said:

One problem remains (once the new battery is fitted) - I don't have the code for the radio!

You don’t need one Jon. Replace battery, reset park brake, windows and reset BMS and away you go. Or, hook up a temporary supply under the bonnet, change the battery and you shouldn’t lose anything.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that!

However, the story moves on…

Today’s AA man worked out that there’s a dead short in the alternator, not the battery. The overheating of the battery last night was apparently because it couldn’t keep up with demand with no charging going on. A battery was fitted this morning, which got it started and moved out of the middle of the road, but that battery also went low very quickly.

Now have to get it booked in for an alternator and recovery to the dealership.

Cheers!
Jon

I did think initially, from your description, that it sounded like the alternator as it happened to me a few years ago. Good news is, it will be sorted at the dealership and you won’t have to worry about resetting anything as they should do it all for you.

Incase anyone else happens across this and can’t access the battery, maybe you could post how you managed to open the trunk…if it wasn’t by simply using the laser cut key blade stored in the key fob.

 

Thanks

It was the emergency key in the keyfob - worked for the trunk (boot!) and the passenger door!

Phew!

All sorted with a new alternator.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and support, after all though, it's just a car. But it's a car I really really like.

However, do I keep it or get a newer version?

Opinions solicited!

J

50 minutes ago, Jon Hyde said:

Phew!

All sorted with a new alternator.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and support, after all though, it's just a car. But it's a car I really really like.

However, do I keep it or get a newer version?

Opinions solicited!

J

Great news and thanks for the update.👍

Glad it is sorted. Main different with the newer one is better entertainment system, although I found it has more glitches that the old one and better fuel economy. 

I prefer the wiggly likes at rear, but have the newer looking front which I also prefer.

Other than that not much in it apart from depreciation 🤣