Dashboard Noises

[Blueborin]

After reading the excellent Feb 2014 S-Type forum article on "Dashboard Noises", and identifying the same background noises when the ignition is switched off with my 07 2.7 diesel (16k miles) , I'm now wondering if this is something that should be rectified.

It doesn't really bother me, but is it causing problems/damage to the control vents/motors behind the scenes?

Could anyone also advise if this is a difficult job to repair and likely costs. I purchased a RAC Gold Repair Cover when I bought the car, but wonder if its really worth the risk/hassle (no other issues with the car) in getting this repaired when actually its only a minor problem with no serious ramifications.

Any advice well received

[vernon]

hi, i also have an S type (2005) 2.7 diesel, and yes i have the same noise.
my noise. one of the BLEND DOOR ACTUATORS as your is. the only effect mine has is a blast of warm air for the first 10 seconds when re-starting the car when hot. its been faulty for 2 years, not fixed yet.
if you get the computer memory read it will have a fault code for the problem.
As my car has 80,000 miles on the clock it has had many other faults, but i would not part with it.
comon faults are broken wires in the main loom,(just behind the front bumper) and corroded ABS censor rings on the rear CV joints.
As i write this it is in a garage having the cam belts replaced and a faulty duel heater valve changed.
It still is the best car i have driven in the last 49 years, i also own and drive an XK120 replica.

[Blueborin]

Hi Vernon,

Thanks for the response. Based upon your reply, I'll leave mine alone and enjoy the moment. I agree with you in that the car is a sheer dream to drive and I feel very safe and secure sat behind the wheel. Its good to hear positive comments and I agree its also the best car I've ever owned.

[vernon]

Good luck and happy motoring

[vernon]

Now have non operating boot opening button, caused by yet another broken wire in the loom behind the front bumper .
Oh well a repair for another day.

[Blueborin]

Sounds like the wiring loom behind the front bumper is a bad design issue. I've read lots of reports which seem to point to this as a weak link. Do you suspect water ingression?

[J44EAG]

These front looms on S-types can be very troublesome on occasions and have figured on our Forum pages in the magazine from time to time.

Not only do the looms become saturated with water ingress within cable tidy sheathing, they also suffer from fatigue and breaks. Finding the source of issues can be a time consuming and tedious business. Bumper and wheel arch shields down, loom opened up, a car can look a dreadful mess whilst repairs are effected.

I`ve never had to get involved with this repair yet but fear I shall be doing so shortly. Heater failed on full heat and fault thought to be within the front cable loom. Another job for another day.

Mike

[vernon]

As I am a retired electronic engineer I am familiar with faulty electrical wiring and I have analysed the broken wires and the only conclusion I can come to is there was moisture inside the wire in manufacture. The wires are failing inside there insulation, the outer plastic covering is undamaged which means water could not enter after fitting. Also it seems to be only one colour that is causing the problem.
Next time I have another wire problem I will replace all the wires of the same colour.
But that's for another time

[J44EAG]

Interesting.

Can you tell us the colour of the failed cables please and generally what locations they occurred?

As I have to deal with some issues of this type, any pointers would be most useful.

Mike

[vernon]

Hi mike,
The colour of the wires that has caused my problems on three different faults, was W/G (white with green stripe).
The location is under the near side headlamp, near the point the loom splits into two.
This area does have some water retention problem as the loom was wet.
I did examine the faulty wire, the inner strands were badly corroded causing high resistance and possibly intermittent connection before total failure. Although my problems were in one place I have heard that the wheel arch area is also a week point.
Hope this helps any future problems.
Vernon

[J44EAG]

Thank you, Vernon.

Bob Bate wrote an extensive article in the magazine some time back about cable issues on the S-type. Wires behind the N/S wheel arch shield, and across the front bumper bar and up under the air cleaner box were highlighted.

It would seem that the complete loom is built in very tightly which causes the inevitable fatigue and failure of individual cables. Water ingress is also another major problem and also that of cable rot.

I have at some point the need to remove my front bumper cover and investigate a cable fault. Heater control failed full hot. The valve is fully operational and it is thought the fault may lay in the loom section across the front of the car. Wish me luck with that.

Mike

[Blueborin]

Hi Vernon,
The wiring issues on the front loom you have identified are very interesting. I have an intermittent front parking sensor which goes faulty sometimes when its wet or when I clean the car. Its situated on the front near side of the bumper. Do you know if this is connected via the White and Green stripe wiring loom.
Again thanks for all the info and feedback

Robin

[vernon]

Hi mike, and robin.
I've just had the same heater problem sorted, was a wiring fault repaired by the garage I use, we think it was same colour wire at the place the loom splits.
Robin I had trouble with my rear parking sensors, it turned out to be one playing up, not a wiring problem, but as the control box is in the boot it could be in your case, but most likely a faulty sensor if it doesn't like getting wet.
vernon

[Blueborin]

Mike, Vernon, Thanks for all the responses. Do you know if the wiring loom issues were eradicated with the later models or was it endemic with all S-Types? The Jaguar forum seems to indicate that it was designed in later models to allow water to dry out naturally! Without ever seeing the loom myself I cannot comment.

[J44EAG]

Problems seem universal across the entire model year build.

As regards parking sensors, I have seen two common faults.

The sensors themselves are connected behind the bumper and operate in filthy dirty damp mucky conditions. Corrosion is often a cause. Ignition on, in reverse but not started, if you put your ear to each sensor in turn, you should hear active ones ticking. Lack of a "tick" indicates the duff one. Often moving or just removal and refit of the connector plug may get the unit going again.

The second problem can be the control box on the left hand horizontal chassis leg in the boot spare wheel well. Take the plastic module off the car, disconnect the plug and open the box to reveal the pc board. Often they are affected by damp and again corrosion. The boards may exhibit galloping green copper electrolytic semi solid nasties. Sometimes it will clean up. Sometimes not. If replacing the unit, ensure you get the EXACT replacement part number. Second hand parts if replacing make an expensive repair rather more acceptable. Pay around one third of the price of new if going the second hand route. Plenty of parts on ebay and good Jag breakers.

These modules don`t like water or corrosion. Having been hit once by a wheel well full of water, I have a 6mm hole drilled at the lowest point to let any flood water out!

Mike