Hi guys, I'm new here. Previously owned a 99 SLK, but wanted something with a little more style. I found a sweet deal on a 2004 XF for less than $5k with a perfect body and drivetrain, but a couple of quirks that I attempted to fix yesterday. Before I spend money and replace the battery I want to know if there is anything I might have done to cause it to not stay charged.

I fixed the sticky ignition key yesterday by following a PDF guide on this forum. Works flawlessly. I don't think there is anything I could have done while doing this to cause the battery to drain, however I did have to reset the battery.

Also, attempted to disable the seatbelt beep, however even when buckled the beeping would go off (must be a broken sensor), so I ended up cutting the brown wire when I couldn't get the pattern method to work after many failed attempts. It is definitely the only wire I cut, and seems to be the correct wire as it fixed the issue.

The driver door won't lock. Key Fob seems to work fine tho as it locks and unlocks the passenger door and trunk. If I attempt to lock the driver door I notice the front lights flash and the car makes a continuous clicking noise. The lock **** won't go down even if I try to push it. Now, I think this is what caused the car battery to drain in the first place, as my wife locked the car last night.

I jumped the car this morning, charged it for 5 minutes on the other car, and drove it for another 10. I came home, parked it, did not lock it. Tried to drive it about 6 hours later and it is dead again. The battery isn't that old, installed in mid 2011.

If you guys have any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks,
Joe

 

I think you are over optimistic about the condition of the battery, it is three or more years old, and I don't think 5 minutes on the jumpers and a ten minute drive did much to charge the battery. Problem not likely
due to your repairs. But, you will need a fully charged battery before you can begin any electrical system diagnostics.

 

You do know there is a procedure to disable the seatbelt chime don't you? You should reconnect the cut wire and follow the SIMPLE steps to disable it. Search for the procedure, it is super simple. You have to redo the procedure if you disconnect the battery but again it is real easy.

 

Here is the how to for the belt chime disabling.
Graphite Ghost wrote it. CLICK