'Anti Lock' light on fault cured

[poprivet]

Looking through other posts many have suffered the dreaded ABS failure light on the dashboard.

My XJS has been off the road for a while but I'm gradually getting it ready for a MOT so when running up the engine the other day I was suprised when I noticed that the warning lights wouldn't go out, especially as the car hasn't left the garage for a while and everything was well last time it was used.

The only thing I had done to the braking system a while ago was to have the accumulator sphere re-charged so that was my starting point. The electrical connections were checked, but no corrosion and they seemed fine. Both ABS fuses were ok, the ABS 'computer' multi-plug in the boot also looked good.

Following the process of elimination, sensors were next. The front ones have their connections in the engine bay and were easily pulled apart and the resistance checked, all ok. Looking under the car I couldn't find where the cables went, seemed to be under the fuel tank somewhere, pulling the spare wheel out didn't help either. Eventually I got lucky when I took out the rear seat and found the connections under there. By chance, I noticed one of the plugs had pulled out slightly. This was where the fault was. Secured together again and the warning light went out.

I did have the seat out earlier in the year when I replaced the headlining so I must have disturbed the connection, I can't say that I even noticed the cables then though.

I guess the moral is to work through methodically, not to panic and not to start replacing things wildly which could give other faults.

The photo below shows the connections, if you look carefully you may see the left hand one isn't quite engaged.



My excitement in solving the problem was short lived alas, shortly after, with the system pressurised, there was a loud POP and hiss from the sphere, It has lost its charge, the cap is tilted and an O ring or something is displaced. Oh well

[Brakebuster]

mixed news there then Pop …….

at least the sphere is easily replace, and though its expensive, is still available new from Jaguar Heritage , the ABS equipped XJ40 has the same sphere if that helps

i use one from a 40 on my own car

BB

[poprivet]

Well, the accumulator has failed terminally. On closer inspection, the 'nipple' is a screwed plug, sealed with an O ring and it has stripped its threads. I am a bit disappointed as it was re-charged very recently, but at 25 years old its not worth complaining over.

Thanks BB for the heads up on the XJ40, I found one locally which seems to be in good order and fitted it last night.

A note for anyone who has to change theirs, unscrew it using the body only, not the hex in the nipple. If that loosens the charge pressure will be lost.

Next job on the list is to replace a corroded front indicator bulb holder. It must have had water in it when I used it last year, I didn't notice and it now is a mess.