Poundy

Thanks for the info Steve, Ours is booked in at Lexus on Friday for a fitting, they reckon it could delay the theft by up to 30mins which sounds like a decent deterrent.

Fair comment Linas, But I think I would prefer dealing with damage that didn't offer the scumbags a profit than letting them make money from me, by stealing something of value. I spoke to Lexus Birmingham today they reckon it was 3 or 4 in for cat theft last month, one was a 68 plate they had only sold very recently. I was told that the higher ground clearance vehicles like the RX450h are more favoured because they can be cut without the need for jacking up. Not too concerned about ours but decided it's a bit like car insurance if you have it you probably never make a claim but if it expires smash bang 😔 They reckon the Lexus Catlock could extend the process of removal by up to 30mins even if the right tools were at hand. As such our Ct200h is booked in for Friday to have one fitted @ £275 inc vat and a car clean, it's only money that cannot be spent in lockdown 😄

It seems that Hybrid models are the firm favourite because the operating system means the CC tends to be much cleaner than conventional cars. Putting our cars at the top of the pecking order While I think we would agree that if they want it, it will be gone. Does the Lexus catlock offer any real deterrent in stopping the theft, i.e. delay the theft process long enough to make the investment worthwhile? Why didn't they just stick to mugging us oldies at the cash Machine, I blame the cashless society we are leaning towards 😉

I find it hard to imagine where there would be any kind of market for old used catalytic convertors, unless of course they have some decent scrap metal value. After all said and done it's not a big repair issue item, is it ?

Hi Mark I am just making sure the right size new screw are in my possession before I try and get the damaged ones out, as they certainly wont be reusable 😉 With the info I have gleaned off you guy's and google, I am sure they will be coming out lol!

So measuring is a bit of a hit and miss thing being so small, I estimated as near as my old eyes allow, for them to be a big 1mm in diameter probably 1.2 mm and about 3mm in length. I have ordered an assorted box of 1.2mm and 1.4mm etc watch and specs screws of ebay for around £3.50. I also ordered a micro set of easy outs for £4, just in case the less invasive extraction methods fail to bear fruit 😉 I should have them in about a week and will let you know if it went well lol! I did phone Lexus parts first to see if they could supply the correct screws for the fob, I would have been better off talking to next doors cat, the more I explained the problem the more confused he got, to the point that the only suggestion he could come up with was a pair of new key fobs. 🤣🙄.

I am definitely a tool freak and although now retired did 50 yrs in the motor trade Wholesale Motorfactor in my 20's to ground up high end Car (mainly Mercedes) and Motorcycle restorations. I am sourcing the tiny screw extraction tools as we speak lol! When I locate the screws I will order several spares in case any members need a few 😃

Hi Herbie, There was not really any expense, they gave the batteries and coffee FOC which cost more than my fuel lol! I tried the local watch/key fob guys who were unable to assist me. My reasoning for going to Lexus was I was hopeful that they would have the screws in their consumables bin, also the tools to extract the damaged ones and insert the new ones job done. Alas it wasn't the case but at least they have fitted 2 new batteries to the fobs and I can now get it sorted at my leisure. The hard part being to find the correct 8 small screws which will mean as you suggested probably shopping around local fastener retailers, as they certainly not in my odds and sods box and I doubt I will find the likes in the local hardware shop. Once they are in my possession I will set about extracting the old ones, now I have sourced the methods of extraction. I appreciate the input and advice but was reluctant to proceed with your diy method of grinding the one off and letting the remaining 3 do the work as that wouldn't have really solved the issue just added another dimension to the problem, The only thing that works for me is initially getting the necessary fasteners then I will sort the problem out by hook or by crook, just being a bit lazy I guess, it's my wife's car ☺️ But thanks all for the help 👍

Took it to Lexus, who managed to get 3 of the 4 screws out of both fobs, they then bent the cover over the remaining damaged screw, inserted 2 new batteries, bent it back over and secured it with the remaining 3 screws. Not an ideal outcome but it has delayed the inevitable for at least the life of these 2 new batteries. I will then put the ball back in their court when the time arrives for replacement again. 😃 No charge and a coffee and biscuit while I waited. lol!

I might take a drive over and hope they can get the screws out and have replacement new ones in stock. I have a service plan and warranty with them so perhaps they will look after me ☺️

So today I got the key fob replace battery come up on the dash, no sweat until I come to replace it. Mine is the fob that slides down to reveal a battery cover with 4 tiny screws. Unfortunately the heads at some stage have been damaged so the screwdriver is unable to remove them.. Even so I have managed to loosen 3 of the 4 but the last is going nowhere, any suggestions? Of cause the bigger picture is if I can get the last one out where will I get replacement ones to put in, not a dealer likely part I guess probably want to replace the fob lol! I also checked the spare fob while at it and that looks like it could create a similar problem but have left it well alone at present, until I find a solution. if I can. 🙄

Harry Stotel didn't elaborate Perhaps the Coconut carrying type (Monty Python) 😄

" One Swallow does not a summer make "

Hi Roy how is your day going today? Aston Villa supporter here 😅

Hi Rowley nice to see you on here but don't abandon us on the Jaguar Football forum always value your input there 😉

The C-Tek safety features will not allow it to start in this situation/ If the crocodile clips work fine with battery out it must be a faulty comfort lead I would think.

I usually spend a fair bit of time in Australia but covid19 has put paid to that for a bit, so having cars over there and here means they are sometimes left dormant for fairly long periods. The CT has only done 5400mls in the two and a half years I have owned it. Using the C-Tek smart charger means I can leave them unattended for fairly long periods if need be and they are still ready to go when needed. This is my Australian fair weather baby @ 28 year old 1992 V8 all my own work, petrol and insurance much cheaper over there open roads and sunshine 😃 Sorry went of track lol!

Nice work Herbie, Having a couple of other cars and bikes, I try and keep on top of my power needs. All vehicles have comfort leads for charging purposes with various socket adaptors for instant readout. I have an auttool battery tester so I can check CCA, storage, performance etc. The Tacklife T8 max battery booster has never been used on any of my vehicles but gets plenty of use by my neighbours come winter lol! Murphy's law I guess, as I cannot recall ever having a battery that failed to start one of my car's for me, a man can never have too many toys.

With the Battery a bit of a pain to get at for checking and charging I decided to fit a permanent C-Tek comfort lead loose in the corner of the boot, for quick hook up when a charge is needed. It is also easy to put the multimeter across the lead pins to check battery charge as per pic, without the hassle of pulling the liner out. I appreciate it can be checked under bonnet but find this is my preferred method as the traffic lights give me a constant reminder when opening the tailgate. Excuse the mess it's mainly my wife's ride 🤣

I think I will just keep the current one, it will always be well cared for and low mileage and I will spend the money elsewhere 😃 My other 2 vehicles a fully restored by me, 1992 Mercedes 500sl and my 2015 Jaguar XF R sport are my main rides just thought it would be a treat for her indoors to upgrade ours to a sport with panoramic roof or the F with the snazzy front grill. Not that she is interested in cars at all, so it will not be an issue keeping this one, she will not even drive the Merc or the Jag, thank goodness. 🤣😂 Thought about adding the F grill but never got round to it, could be a plan lol!

Hi John, Very valid points, ours is a 2014 bought with 34,600 on the clock and has just hit 40,000 after 2.5 years of ownership so our local town car averaging 2-3000 per year. It has the extended warranty for another 6 months which I intended to renew. Also because it is pre 2017 there is no tax payable which is another bonus, there are no issues with the car and full Lexus service history. The only downside is, it is now 6.5 years old and with some Lexus saving offers I was tempted to do a deal. However I am now a bit cautious in case when the model is discontinued the residual value will take a massive hit. Hence I am now contemplating hanging on and looking at a late run out model or 2nd hand option when the price has bottomed. Dunno

Sadly, it appears when current UK stocks are sold no more CT200h will be made available over here. I was thinking of upgrading ours but feel it may be an unwise investment now. Thoughts?

I bought the Tacklife Max booster great bit of kit. It is that time of year again when my neighbours with flat batteries come a knocking 😄 Still it is nice to find the odd bottle of wine in the front porch now and again lol!

Lexus fitted mine last year a genuine Toyota 45ah Glass matt (think it is a Yuasa with toyota label YZZPD) Fitted, old one disposed of plus a free puncture repair 😃 £95 inc vat I think that included a 10% discount that came with my Vantage service plan,

Thanks everyone finally found it in the book. I just want to get it up to replace new wheel nuts/lock nuts (bit rusty). I may clean the arches up while at it with the Bare Bones undercarriage spray I bought for the the Jag, great stuff. I may do a number on the calipers if I can get some paint sent with the lockdown on 🙂