Engine Failsafe Mode Problem

[Jagmanmick]

I keep getting an intermittent Engine Failsafe Mode Alarm appearing only when I come to start the car, never when it's running.
The car won't start with the alarm showing unless I select Neutral at which point the alarm clears and the Engine runs fine, the alarm won't appear again for several weeks.

Can't pin it down to any specific weather conditions as the car is not garaged and it can occur after it is run and the engine is hot or initially first thing in a morning when the engine is cold.

Asked the experts but no one has an answer.

Anyone had the same problem and knows the cause?

Mick

[Sharfrs2]

Sounds like the J gate module to me, might be a dodgy connection or damp getting in.

Have you tried Ken Jenkins of the JEC. His number is for the General Technical enquiries on the back of your membership card. He is very knowledgeable and if he doesn't know then he will probably know someone who does. He was very helpful to me when my XK broke down.

Cheers

Dave

[Jagmanmick]

Thanks Dave,

Actually took the car to my main dealer for a service, started fine first thing in the morning, temperature was -2 at home, car covered in frost, drove 110 miles left it with them and they had the same problem when they came to start it.
They plugged the computer in and downloaded the error codes which are pointing to the J gate as you said but unfortunately the fault cleared and didn't return.
Monitoring the situation before I proceed any further.

Mick

[Sharfrs2]

Mick

Surely Jags computers should have kept a record of the fault, even if it cleared itself? They should at least know what the fault was.

There was a J gate module on e-bay the other day, may be an idea to keep an eye on it?

Cheers

Dave

[Jagmanmick]

Hi Dave,

They said the code was pointing to the J gate but they were unable to specify what was causing the problem and suggested if the problem gets worse to book it in for a few days so they can do further investigations. Could be a bad connection somewhere and not specifically the module.

Amazing though, all the bad weather and low temperatures up here since and the fault hasn't occurred again.

Mick

[Sharfrs2]

Hi Mick

Well that's some good news. That's the trouble with intermittant faults, you think you know what's wrong then they right themselves

Hope the fault stays away, so that you can enjoy the drive rather than worry.

Dave

[Jagmanmick]

Well it final happened, wouldn't start at all in Park, only Neutral. Luckily in the interim I had bought the Jaguar XK8 & XKR Supplementary Info CD from JDHT (well worth the money). This has Electrical diagrams and Mechanical technical guides which pointed me in the direction of the gearbox selector cable. I had also noticed when it failed that the "P" was not illuminated, I checked the micro switches on the selector in the car, all working OK. I then concluded that if the gearbox was not going into Park correctly the position switch on the gearbox was not sending the correct info to the Module thus my problem of not starting etc.
I remove the centre console to get to the adjusting nut on the cable and with the ignition switched on adjusted the cable until the "P" illuminated. After testing the gear selector to ensure everything was still working as should be I have had no problems as yet with starting in Park.
Here's hoping that simple fix has saved me a huge bill!!

[mike020150]

Isn't it good to hear about a happy ending? Thanks for a useful posting. Mike.

[SteveG48]

Luckily in the interim I had bought the Jaguar XK8 & XKR Supplementary Info CD from JDHT (well worth the money). This has Electrical diagrams and Mechanical technical guides


Sounds like I need to get hold of this... is this the one you recommend?

http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/sc ... .y=0&go=go