I was gone on vacation for 2 weeks and went to start the 08 XLR-V and no battery, doors will not open, can't get into the trunk. I have no way to get into the car to pop the hook and put a charger on the car. Called Cadillac roadside assist, they came out and said they can't do anything either. On star needs a battery to unlock the car as well. What the hell do i do now???
Randy

Got a brick???? :lol

Floyd

I would think that roadside assistance could get a "fishing line" in through the window and pull up the manual door release. Just put a loop end on it and try not to scratch your window.

I take it you don't have your key. You can have one cut, but you may not be able to get one until Monday. If you have the key, insert it in the lock cylinder in the rear bumper facia and turn it to open the trunk. From there you can pull the cable to open the drivers door.

Bruce

This car has battery problems. I just had to have mine replaced on my '06V and there have been numerous posts about this issue on the forum.

Two bits of advice for you to help from being locked out of your car:

1. Store the emergency key (that flat metal thing in the black vinyl case that came with your owner's manual) somewhere other than in the glovebox of the car. I keep mine in the house so at least I, or someone else, can get to it if I have problems getting into the car. Also, read the owner's manual so you know how to open the trunk using that key.

2. When storing the car for any period of time release the hood so that it pops open to the first release level. That way you can at least access the battery if you have to jump start the car or replace the battery. By only opening it to the first release level you won't have your hood fly off if you forget to fully close it before driving the car.

Hope this helps. As the original posting points out, you never know when you're going to have a problem.

Did you leave your key in the car???????? Don't do that again. :(

If you have the back-up key follow the procedure spelled out by Cadillac Tech above and you'll be fine.

Thanks Pegasus, I like the idea of leaving the hood released to the first latch.
Another good practice is to hook up your car to a battery tender. They are about $50 and they keep your battery ready to go without charging it too much. I have been using battery tenders for years on all kinds of cars and motorcycles.

SilverX

I was gone on vacation for 2 weeks and went to start the 08 XLR-V and no battery, doors will not open, can't get into the trunk. I have no way to get into the car to pop the hook and put a charger on the car. Called Cadillac roadside assist, they came out and said they can't do anything either. On star needs a battery to unlock the car as well. What the hell do i do now???
Randy

Another good tip I received from Mr XLR is to leave the drivers window down if you keep your car in your garage. This way you can access both the door and hood release if you have a battery problem. Better still, leave the top down! Remember, these cars always have electronic systems on that are putting a constant drain on the battery, even when they are parked! This is not your fathers VW!

Another good practice is to hook up your car to a battery tenderizer. I have been using battery tenderizers for years on all kinds of cars and motorcycles.[/B]

SilverX

Tenderizer,,,,,,,,, that's good,, I like that. Our cars are like a piece of meat!

K9, You got a Caddy dealer there in GI that you go to that you can get a key from?

Chad

Another good tip I received from Mr XLR is to leave the drivers window down if you keep your car in your garage. This way you can access both the door and hood release if you have a battery problem. Better still, leave the top down! Remember, these cars always have electronic systems on that are putting a constant drain on the battery, even when they are parked! This is not your fathers VW!

WOW!!!! Even in my garage!!! If I left the window down,,,,, the inside of the car would be SOOOOO dusty and dirty!!!! Let alone leave the top down!

Chad

WOW!!!! Even in my garage!!! If I left the window down,,,,, the inside of the car would be SOOOOO dusty and dirty!!!! Let alone leave the top down!

Chad

Oh ... :skep I thought they were just kidding!

I would never leave my top down in the garage! :reddevil

RA
.

Sorry to be the voice of doom, but am I the only one who thinks it's a bit ridiculous to buy Cadillac's flagship, the almighty halo car, spend a ton of money - but be forced to either roll down a window, pop the hood, or leave the top down just in case the battery goes dead? How stupid is that? I would agree; it's not dad's VW - it's not even in the same league as it relates to dependable operation. This problem has existed since day one, with no apparent concern on Cadillac's behalf.

BTW - I thought the 08's had the key integrated into the fob? Are both fobs locked in the vehicle? Our 07 came with two regular keys, so I am a bit puzzled how this could happen to an 08.

Sorry to be the voice of doom, but am I the only one who thinks it's a bit ridiculous to buy Cadillac's flagship, the almighty halo car, spend a ton of money - but be forced to either roll down a window, pop the hood, or leave the top down just in case the battery goes dead? How stupid is that? I would agree; it's not dad's VW - it's not even in the same league as it relates to dependable operation. This problem has existed since day one, with no apparent concern on Cadillac's behalf.

BTW - I thought the 08's had the key integrated into the fob? Are both fobs locked in the vehicle? Our 07 came with two regular keys, so I am a bit puzzled how this could happen to an 08.

Point! :yesnod

The technology of the entry year XLR in 2004 (designed years before) was absolutely cutting-edge, and it is probably fair to say that the battery draining was the result of the uniqueness of the car AT THAT TIME. But, I agree, each year as technical advances were made, they should have been integrated into the car's modules.

Most all cars now have similar or the same or better features, and none of them seem to share the battery drain problem. It is amazing that these failings are not addressed in the software updates ..... I would think most of them are program driven. :confused

I wonder why his battery died? During the winter here in wonderful Nebraska (same place as K9Husker). There are times when I have my V sit for weeks. I haven't had any problems. I can get the car out every once in a while during the winter when we're between snowstorms and there's no snow on the ground which is about once a month and I do try and make it a point to get it driven atleast once every month just to keep everything moved and lubed and I do lower and raise the top to keep system from drying out, the seals. I don't even keep the battery tender on the car, unless,,,, I know that it's been atleast 3 weeks since I've driven it. I guess I've just had good luck with the car!

Chad

I find it very disappointing that in 2008, with Cadillac preparing to unveil it's 2009 XLR - another member is facing the same battery drainage issue that has haunted the car since the beginning.

I realize there are places in the country where battery tenders may be required, but most modern batteries can withstand quite a period of time without worry; certainly more than two weeks!

on an '08 the key is in the FOB.

Sweet, i found the key inside of the key fob that all XLR's have, then opened the trap door on the rear bumper and i'm in!

I genuinely hope it didn't take you 6 days did it?

The key is hidden in the FOB starting from the 2008 model year.

SilverX

Sweet, i found the key inside of the key fob that all XLR's have, then opened the trap door on the rear bumper and i'm in!

I have a dead battery in an '05. I tried the key in the bumper, it turned fine, but how do I get the trunk to lift up?

I got the trunk open. It was alot heavier than I thought it would be. I was kind of afraid of breaking the wifes car.:nono

If you are a part time XLR driver you need to be aware of some starting and operating situations.

Each time you depress the start button, it takes about 2 hours of engine running to recoup the power used to start the car (http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=5442#). 4 operations of the top in accy. mode (8 up & down) can cause a dead battery.

If your battery is dead, remember you need a good 72 hours of charging to bring the battery up to it's capacity. With 23 on board computers, 3 weeks of non use with a fully charged battery could cause a dead battery.

If you are going to park your XLR for more than 2 weeks, I recommend, pulling the hood latch, so your hood can be simply raised and the battery jumped if it has gone dead. You may also leave one of the windows lowered, and if the battery goes dead, you can simply raise the doors manual release at the floor (long arms needed).

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thanks
Allen

If you are going to leave the car for an extended period please do invest in the Battery Tender still $39.95 I think.

If you hook it up it will keep the battery charged at full power and be ready for you when you get back. It does not over charge the battery by design.

I have a 2004 and just replaced the battery 2 weeks ago just to be safe. 5 years is a long time for a factory battery so......

I have the spare key attached to both of my FOBS just in case I run into a problem while I'm out and about.

I use to carry the key in my briefcase, now it's tie wrapped my key under the grill.

(Funny story)

I went to pick-up my X from the dealer. As I approached the car I pushed the remote and lifted the trunk, put in my briefcase and closed the trunk and opened the door. When I pushed the start button the car went into the twlight zone flashing the headlights and random portions of the dash. I got out of the car (which was parked on an incline) and the door swung shut. I stood there for a second looking at my FOB and the closed door... and the trunk with my briefcase and key and realized I was totally screwed. I quickly attempted to open the door again, but the battery was too dead.

I walked back into the dealer and it took them almost two hours to run the VIN and cut a new key. Imagine I wasn't in the dealers parking lot.... Buy a tiewrap!

Allen's is sage advice indeed. I travel several weeks a month and experienced my first dead battery after two months of ownership. It happened at a most inopportune time (don't car problems always?!!) and I lost a bunch of time getting into the car and jumping it. Someone on the forum recommended a Battery Tender. It comes with an inline connector so I can quickly and easily plug it directly into the battery when I leave town. My battery is always ready --irregardless of my schedule. Highly recommended!

CC :cheers

Im guessing , everyone must have missed my last reply on this subject of battery run down. Last week my battery was dead after 6 months in storeage. First issue with my car. If I had a battery tender on it would be no problem. My battery ran down due to two issues.

1. Like someone said, this car has a lot of electronic's running on it all the time, so if you store it, you do need a battery tender OR EVEN BETTER YET CHECK OUT CTEK.COM if you want something better. Battery shouldn't go dead in only two weeks.
2. There is another reason, there is a bulletin out on battery run down, tech that came out to start my car told me to take it in for service for issue.
REPROGRAM RCDRL # 0706 03-001
Hope this helps everyone and check out ctek, it stores your codes.

You could also invest in a good battery like an OPTIMA