Multiple Electrical Issues

[dave2020]

Can anyone help? Since the recent bad weather I have had many issues with my S type (2.7D sport late 2004). First there was a 'handbrake fault' it would not release, although the following day there seemed to be no issues with it, but the lights would not turn on and a communication error screen came on the Satnav/TV screen this seemed to again rectify itself after leaving the car for 30 mins.
The main issues was last week when driving through the roadworks on the M1. The fuel gauge suddenly registered empty, there was at least 12Gals in the tank. the oil warning light came on, the A/C stopped, the fan stayed on but could not be turned off, the windows would no operate, the statnav only partly functioned.
When I stopped at the nearest services ,to start with the lights would not turn off. I left the car for about an hour and when it started it still had all the issues but It also had no lights at all!
Back at my local Jaguar specialist they reset the computer and all was well for about 30miles apart from the parking sensors were behaving erratically, then it all happened again, this time after a couple of oter minor issues i.e. handbrake would not release and the battery went flat in a few hours when I jumpstarted it the next day all was fine.

I now am losing confidence in the car.

Any idea's ??

[J44EAG]

I think the car needs to go back for further interogation.

Why did the battery go to a discharged state? Has it been drop tested?

Take a look at my posting on the XJ308 site re batteries. Go to the Electrical section and open the posting on "Quick battery/starter question". I`ve posted a big reply re the importance of battery condition and voltage. Worth reading the entire posting for some real gen.

If ever I`ve had electrical glitches on an S-type, it has usually been down to a tired battery, or corrosion or dampness on multiplugs. It is a case of checking the basics first.

However,software problems can come up, especially with cars fitted with electronic hand brakes. Several software reflashes were made available to dealers.

I wonder if some of the above factors may be affecting your car.

Back to the dealer first I think, armed with some info gained from the above posting.

It is worth dropping David Marks an e-mail also. He may have had firsthand experience of this problem.

Post again here if you get stuck. Members will do their best to help you get to the root cause of the problem.

Mike Kennedy. S-type Coordinator.

[dave2020]

Thanks Mike, I will read your posting on Quick Battery/ starter question.
The car is now back a my local Jaguar specialist where they are going to keep it for a few days. I did mention could the battery be part of the Problem as I believe it is the original one supplied with the car.

I will drop David Marks an e-mail as you suggested

Once again thanks

Dave Freeman

[dave2020]

My local Jaguar specialist installed a new battery, on Thursday and after about a 70mile test drive all seemed ok. Saturday I travelled about 25 miles all ok apart from one time when the audio system put itself on mute until we stopped and then started again when all was ok.
This afternoon after about 200 metre it happened again, peterol gauge went tp zero, oil light came on , no A/C, dipped light came on altough they were turned off, no indicators and the windows would not work. The heated screen came on and when I turned it off everything worked for about 15 secs. I turne the engine off with just the ingnition on the windos then worked
I am now totally confused
Onething though the car ahas a 'traffic pilot' fitted that I dont use and a Parrot 3100 which I also don't use, perhaps have these removed.

[J44EAG]

You do have problems Dave.

I recently heard from a member who said his car stopped dead without warning. I supected the instrument cluster electronics module which is a complicated pc board arrangement mounted on the rear of the cluster. It controls a large amount of panel features and is known to fail very occasionally. Just an idea.

These can be reconditioned by a company such as BBS Reman who I believe operate from Rochester. Have a Google and have a look at their site.
They may be able to help IF the problem stems from the instrument unit.

Clearly the car needs to go back to your garage for interogation again.

I`m away from base for a few days so do not have the circuit diagrams to hand.

Has David Marks come up with any pointers yet?

Please let us know how you get on.

Mike

[dave2020]

After 350 miles all seems ok 'touch wood', after much head scratching we Dave at E and E Services in Milton Keynes and I decided all that was left was to remove the extra's that had been fitted by the previous owner which were a Road pilot camera detector, a Parrot 3100 including mikes and speakers plus an auto garage door opening system these had been all hard wired in which on the face of it seemed quite professional.

Oh so nwrong the wiring was a total 'Bodge Job' which we found when part of the dash and the front bumper were removed.

This has now seemed to have cured the problem, although over the weekend the Satnav has ceased to go into Night Mode when the lights are on. Any idea's ?

Thanks

Dave

[J44EAG]

Dave, there have been problems with Jaguar sat nav units and software in the past.

Regret to say that I`ve no experience with these units but have heard that software update reflashes can help sometimes.

I`ll see if I can squeeze this in as a quuestion on Saturday at the Seminar at Castle Bromwich.

Although late in the day, Nigel might still be able to sort you a ticket for the day if you can make it. Move fast though if you want one, as Nigel will have to "shut the door" and put in final numbers for catering pretty soon now, if he hasn`t already.

The bodge up wiring certainly affected your car. Just shows how sensitive these electronics are to extra pieces of kit. Perhaps you can get the extras wired up properly this time.

I run a camera detector, Tom Tom and 400watt AC inverter for my laptop in my S. I hard wired a fused twin core 4mm 96/030 cable direct from the battery to the cockpit console area. I had to do this as the neg return to the car cigarette lighter has gone awol. Typical Jag electrics.

The feed is lead to a 3 outlet cheap and cheerful multi outlet cigarette lighter type unit. I can then just jack in the extras plugs as needed. However, with the three plugs and cables all jacked in, the car takes on the appearance of a basket full of snakes. This irritates me hugely but might be able to get things sorted when I have a proper phone system installed in the not to distant future.

Let us know how things continue to pan out.

All the best,

Mike

[Roger]

Multiple electrical failures have been the bain of my life for the last year.

It started off with a trip to Reading and the engine going into restricted performance mode with DSC, Park Brake and Cruise Control failure thrown in for good measure. A short stop, removing the ignition key and not re-inserting until all lights had been extinguished temporarily resolved the issue but the distance I could cover before it re-manifested itself got shorter and shorter and after the umpteenth time I was covering just a few hundred yards. I then admitted defeat and called the AA who cleared out the fault codes but it made no difference the car wasn't drivable. The vehicle was then lifted and taken to my main dealer who was somewhat uncertain as to what the fault was. A reflash of the software and all was well for approximately 2,000 miles when the problem reoccurred.

An ECU was thought to be the problem and was changed but 1,000 miles later the problem was back. The main dealer investigated and suggested that the wiring was probably at fault and that a new wiring loom may be required at a cost of around £600 with a further £2,400 for fitting but could not give me an assurance that it would cure the problem.

Needless to say I took the car away to look for auto electrician and found a company that undertook diagnostic fault finding and replacement of the defective component rather than the whole ECU / PCB etc. They had the car three days and went through it with a fine tooth comb and found not a lot. I drove the 70 miles home and as I turned into my drive it re-occured !

I read the forums and decided maybe the battery could do with changing even though it had been tested and found to be OK - it was three or four years old. I changed it and for the next 2,200 miles all was well and then it was back. Trips to the main dealer and auto electrician followed each time buying me a month or so of trouble free motoring. I was losing patience - as was my wife as a good proportion the price of her new kitchen had been eaten up trying to resolve my car problem.

I decided to ring around the main dealer and independant specialists to see if anyone had encountered something similar and found that Arun Motors had experienced this with another STR - that had required the throttle body and accelerator pedal to be replaced. Not cheap but it had cured the issue. So I swallowed hard and went for it and some 3,000+ miles later and touching wood the car has performed without fault.

Long may it continue.