1991 (J) XJ40 3.2 Auto. High pitched whine!!

[JONA29]

Hi all, and HELP!!!
After leaving my XJ40 outside for a week while away at work, I came back to a constant high pitch whine when I opened the door. Also the interior lights didn't come on. I dubiously turned the key, fearing the battery would be dead, but it started ok. On the short drive home, (approx 6 miles), I noticed the indicators weren't working, and the aerial mast was down, though the radio did work. Also the light on the clock display was out. during the journey the whine stopped and everything was working fine again. Its been in the garage since I got back, but the constant whine is back again, as are the above symptoms. Anyone know whats wrong

Thanks in anticipation, Jona29.

[andypryce]

Hi,

Having owned one of these and had some odd electrical things happen at times, the only thing I can think that would cause such unrelated things to happen would be a voltage drop. Does the engine turn over freely on starting or is it a bit sluggish? Does the whine sound like a motor? Does it come on before you turn the key? ( the brake accumulator pump makes a whine on starting whilst pressurising, but only when ignition on). I suspect battery, one simple thing to check is battery earthing point for any corrosion.

andyp

[robv12]

an odd one this, sounds like a cps glitch, do the favourite disconnect/reconnect the battery trick, this will clear the cars memory, remember keys out of the car when you reconnect, 40's have a habit of locking when you reconnect

[JONA29]

Thanks Andy and Rob for your replies.

Here's where we're at...

The Battery was disconnected and on charge for a few hours yesterday afternoon.
This being after pressing the VCM button and reading "FAIL" on the display. I then proceeded to physically check all the fuses in the three fuse boxes. They all looked fine. I then reconnected the battery again last night at about 9pm. all seemed fine.
Checked again thismorning before taking the dog out, still ok. Checked an hour or so later, and the high pitch whine was back, along with the above symptoms - it's definatley from inside the car.
I pressed the VCM button, and the display read "fuse 1". I decided to start the car - no probs starting - and then cheched all the lights. The O/S/R tail light and O/S number plate bulbs were not working, which lead me to the 3amp fuse in the RH fuse box (C3), for the "RH REAR LAMPS-TAIL, SIDE MARKER & No. PLATE". It still looked ok, but I've changed it and the lights are working again now.
Also since then, the high pitched whine and above symptoms haven't come back.
Coincidence or is there an audible warning device fitted to indicate a blown fuse I wonder....
I'll let you know if alls not well when I get back next week...

Best regards, Jona29.

P.S. At least I've managed to fit the new aerial mast I bought from Car-Masts-UK, which was all I thought I'd have to do before going back to work tomorrow

[andypryce]

Weird! Can't tie that altogether at all, definitely sounds like electrical gremlins, if the car starts ok then battery must be ok. If continues perhaps seek advice of a local electrical specialist, what part of the country are you in?

andy

[robv12]

there is an audible warning on a 40, depending on the year and market it can relate to, door open, lights on car not running, key in ignition door open , car in drive with key in ignition, but I also fail to tie this to this fault

the VCM fuse 1 message is as you say a blown fuse, you will have a lightning bolt symbol on the dash

the straight FAIL message, without checking, is an ABS pressure fault, can anyone else confirm this

[JONA29]

Ok. I got back Saturday night, (cars's been parked in Blyth Harbour since Wednesday morning), everything relating to the above was - and still is - fine
So now i can move on to other issues, of which there are many!

Thanks for your replies, I'll be in touch - engine not running right at the moment - I'm on to it though.

Best regards, Jona 29.

P.S. Rob I know the symbol you mean regarding the lightening bolt, but this wasn't on. It is working though, 'cos it comes on with the rest of them when the ignition is turned on.

[robv12]

any further forward sorting your issues out??

[JONA29]

Hi Rob.
Haven't any probs with the "high pitched whine" since last post..... thankfully.
However, regarding the "not running right" probs I've had recently. I took the car to H W R Motor Sport - near Newcastle - to have them find out what the problem is. They've narrowed down the fault to being a weak mixture due to a leaking inlet manifold.
4 1/2 years ago, when I first got the car I took it apart to clean, whilst off the car due to the head gasket gone, and apparntly used the wrong gasket sealant (RTV) when I reassembled it. It's off the car now, ready to be stripped down again, ready for the rebuild, this time using "wellseal jointing compound".

Back at work again tomorrow - so might be some time before it's back together. I'll let you know how it goes!

Regards, Jona29