so the alternator.

i noticed on cold mornings if i instantly put both heated seats on and the front/back screen, the heated seats are turned off.

is that a sign of the alternator being on its way out or just standard behaviour? i am close to 180k miles so no issue if i have to replace it.

also would my life be easier if i just took the condenser/radiator/bumper off for access when doing all this work and probably the pulleys too?

cheers Its actually a sport

Not anymore, 4.4 TDV8 now

Before condeming the alternator I'd be checking the battery. I put mine (2007 tdv8 3.6) on charge every few months and am surprised that it will always take a charge as its driven regularly, but mainly short trips ( I know, I know). Obviously a lot more power usage in the colder months, and it's about now that batteries that are marginal start failing.

I dont have an iid tool so can't say what that might say regarding charging etc, but I guess it would give insight?

Chris

i can take a look at the battery. i did make the mistake of letting it die when i was working on it.

but i took it out, charged it back up and it sat for 2 weeks on bench and didnt drop at all. Its actually a sport

Not anymore, 4.4 TDV8 now

Sounds more like the battery esp if it's been alowwed to drain to zero - how old is it? A failing alternator should throw fault codes as the charging system is heavily monitored. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

couldnt be more than 2 years old

but the battery starts and runs fine. Its actually a sport

Not anymore, 4.4 TDV8 now

A failing alternator usually has a couple tell tales signs.

1. You'll get the red battery light coming on intermittently, increasing in occurrence, and will eventually stay on.
2. A whining noise from it.

Easier to rule out the battery as replacing the alternator is "challenging", especially in the winter months.
I know, I did it twice  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

no red battery light at all

i just wanna beat it before it leaves me stranded given its mileage.

ofc today was 10c so no dramas there. Its actually a sport

Not anymore, 4.4 TDV8 now

Have a look in the secret menu and see what the battery voltage is / what it’s charging at when running.
.(like Alan said, changing the alternator in Winter is not fun. I did mine between Christmas and New Year. At least I couldn’t feel it when skin was removed from my hand at the time…). 2017 Jaguar F Pace 25t Portfolio - still part of the JLR family 😀
2009 3.6 V8 (MY2010) - my first ever diesel! - now also gone
2004 4.4 V8 Petrol Vogue - now gone

am defo planning on waiting for better weather tbh

this is just the planning stage Its actually a sport

Not anymore, 4.4 TDV8 now