Suspension Fault

[u102768]

Has anyone experienced the message ''Suspension Fault'' on
their X308 and fixed it? My XJR has been doing it
occasionally for about a year but it seems to be getting
more frequent now.

It never happens if the car has been left all day or all
night, just when it is warm. It generally happens just after
the ignition is switched on and the car has started moving.

I suspect this is when the CATS is switching the shocks to
soft mode at 5mph. It will generally go away within 5
minutes of driving or if I switch the ignition off and on
although it does seem to stay on for longer now.

It has only once come on in the middle of a trip and then
went off within a minute or two.

Are there any codes logged with the amber warning light as I can't find suspension codes in the OBD manuals.

[dhammond]

This is really a job for a specialist.

It requires the signals to the adaptive damping control module (located in side of passenger footwell) to be checked to see if they are at the right levels. This can only be done by someone with a suitable portable diagnostic unit set up to run diagnostics on all Jaguar modules (via the OBDII port) or an experienced auto electrician to backprobe the connector as this unit communicates with other systems within the vehicle including the instrument pack as well as three accelerometers. These tests normally either involve taking the vehicle for a test drive whilst monitoring the signals or having the vehicle on a rolling road setup.

Regards,

David

[u102768]

Thanks for the reply David. I suspected that was the case.

My main query is whether codes get set because the problem only happens occasionally so I could end up spending a lot of money chasing an elusive problem.

I think I will monitor it and try and work out what triggers it and what clears it. It happened tonight actually because I went out after having been home for a couple of hours. Breaking and swerving didn't clear it but I found that accelerating rapidly did so it may even be a lose wire.

I have checked the front shock connections but haven't done the back ones yet.

Regards

Richard

[joejag308]

Richard you could try Paul Grantham hes the diagnostic buff it could be a know issue........Joe

[u102768]

Thanks Joe

[bikermick]

Hi Richard, Just wondered if you got a solution to your problem as I have the exact same problem with my 98 XJR.

Michael....

[joejag308]

Gents........we have an expert for these matters......put your problem in a few words put it in here as you would want it described and i will send it to David Marks if you dont want to..... david@davidmarksgarages.co.uk
Joe..........

[bikermick]

Thanks Joe, I'll post any outcome I get

[u102768]

Hi Richard, Just wondered if you got a solution to your problem as I have the exact same problem with my 98 XJR.

Michael....

Hi Michael

I had the codes read the other day and the mechanic found C1455 which is 'Front vertical accelerometer circuit fault'. It happens so infrequently I haven't got round to trying to get it sorted yet.

[joejag308]

Gents i submitted the overall problem to David Marks and his return is ....
Hello,Joe

Not sure what to say - if he has bare wires from the diagnostic socket, this could be the problem as he could be shorting out the CAN or SCP network.

Otherwise, he will need to repair the connector and get it scanned, there are no short cuts to these problems.

Regards

David Marks

[u102768]

Thanks Joe but was this meant for a different thread? There was no mention of bare wires before.

My basic issue is that the car thinks that there is a problem with the 'Front vertical accelerometer circuit'. It could genuinely be that module or it could be a fault elsewhere. It seems to be very uncommon regardless.

[joejag308]

Sorry i have got three queeries mixed up .........i have now sent your queerie to dave as you posted it.........he will get back ASAP
Some of the names with the posts are misleading..........i bet your mates get mixed up calling you u102768...

[joejag308]

Hello Joe,

OBD codes are generic engine codes only.

The Jaguar suspension is unique to these cars so you will need a Jaguar scanner such as Autologic or WDS/IDS

Without a scan, it is impossible to say what it may be - it could be a fault within the ABS module (that also controls DSC and traction), it might be a broken wire to a shock absorber it it could be any other number of things,

David

Looks like a tech job for the local specialist with diagnostic equipment or if you are near Nottingham give Dave Marks a call ..........Joe

[u102768]

Looks like a tech job for the local specialist with diagnostic equipment or if you are near Nottingham give Dave Marks a call ..........Joe

Hi Joe

Thanks for getting in touch with Dave. As he said, the code isn't a generic OBD code and it was actually picked up using Jaguar's IDS scanner.

Because of the complexity of these cars, the codes reported can be a symptom rather than a cause so it may not be the vertical accelerometer that is really the problem.

If it doesn't ring any bells with Dave, it sounds like it is an uncommon fault. Unfortunately the car and I are in New Zealand so it is not really economical to pop back to see him although he gave the Nikasil lining on the engine a clean bill of health before it was shipped.

I will take the car back to the local specialist for further diagnosis.

Regards

Richard

[joejag308]

Richard as the forum goes on and more posts come in it is getting to sort out a combined and universal problem .........the 308 is a vehicle you cant tinker or mess about with unless you have a high knowledge of not only mechanics but of technical issues associated with the model itself.
Enthusiasts the world over for years have sorted their own issues out with their respective models, but modern vehicles are not only highly technical but the manufacturers constantly change the systems from year to year or even less..........i have made myself promise to "leave it alone" and let someone who knows what they are on about can fix it. This of course is a red rag to a bull where enthusiasts are concerned.......what will finally emerge who knows?............Joe