Security Sounder

[Evna]

Hi all,
Happy New Year...!

I have owned my 1998 XJR nearly 7yrs now, when I purchased it, it used to beep when I locked and unlocked it.. after about 6 months this stopped happening all the time instead being very intermittent and I found it would be more likely to work when the weather was damp than dry.. after a few more months it stopped sounding altogether and I was told that it was likely the batterys in the sounder had become u/s and a new sounder would be needed..
I have used the car for some time now without bothering to replace it as the locking and alarm etc work fine.
I managed to obtain a second hand sounder a couple of months ago from a car of same year etc as mine and hope to fit it in the next few days.. My main question is Where do I find the existing sounder..?
I have asked half a dozen folks now and have at least four differing answers..
1. Front O/S (Drivers Side) Wing inside the inner shroud.
2. Front N/S (Passengers Side) Wing inside the inner shroud.
3. Engine Bay in front of the Radiator.
4. Near the fuel tank fuel filter.

If anyone could give me a definitive answer to save me dismantling the whole car ...!!
Many Thanks in Advance

Evna

[Orkney]

Hi,
I have seen my sounder up close when I removed the front bumper and front wings in my quest to protect all the metalwork from corrosion. It was located on the drivers side (rhs when sitting in the car) immediately behind the indicator and in front of the wheelarch liner. My car is a 2000 SV8 so almost identical to yours. This sounder has a rechargeable battery inside which eventually refuses to accept a charge - this means that the overall system still keeps trying to charge it and results in the main car battery losing charge more quickly than normal and giving rise to the usual spurious messages and dash lights appearing if the car is not in regular use.
How do you know that the replacement you have sourced has a battery which is not at the end of its life?
PTR (on the XK forum) and I intended to carefully split one apart to see if the battery type could be identified but neither of us has yet done that. Both of us have actually just disconnected our units with no ill effects and no battery drain related spurious messages.

Ian

[Evna]

Hi Ian,
Thanks for your message... and the location of the sounder..
In answer to your first question.. The one I have acquired, I heard working on the vehicle it was taken from which was to be scrapped..but that was about 8 months ago now, I also had a rear bumper inc. reverse sensors to replace the bumper that was damaged by my local car valeting guys.. (another story) and an auto headlamp stalk to fix my auto headlamps which haven't worked since I got the car (previous post about this back in 2011). My intention was to install the sounder much more quickly that how it has turned out.. but its one of those jobs that goes on the back burner until suitable time comes along.

I am aware of the sounder having a rechargable battery/s.. and I have 'canibalised' another 'broken' unit to see if battery replacement may have been possible (this was back in about 2013).. on that one the battery's were encased in a black tar like substance, presumably in an attempt to protect against the elements and I actually gave up after starting to dig them out.. but an auto electrician friend spoken to since stated if I had got the batter type and voltage etc, it may have been possible to 'doctor' a unit and get it working.. but his cost to do so may be more than it costs for a new or secondhand unit.

If my replacement works out ok, I would gladly donate my old unit for further research if required.

I am hoping to get my unit swapped out this week or next sometime

[Orkney]

Perhaps you are not as cynical as PTR and me, we always reckon that stuff encased in black potting compound is purely to prevent the likes of us from finding the manufacturer and code so we can repair this stuff. Anyway, glad you are on the case. With the undertray removed you can certainly disconnect the wiring but I can’t remember if the mounting bolts are accessible to remove the unit - worth a try without removing the bumper - unless you want to do any remedial rust proofing while you are in there.

Ian

[Evna]

Alrighty then...
After getting to the underside of the drivers wing.. there was no sounder in evidence at all..
So reassembled and did the same on the passenger side front wing (on the left as you sit in the drivers seat) and there it was.. looked ok but removing it was another matter, one of the bolts sheared trying to remove it. All was sorted and the new (second hand) unit was installed in its place and all reassembeld again.. But alas as yet the thing which I heard working some time ago refuses to make even a whimper.. so 0-1 to the XJR

The new (second Hand) Auto Headlamp stalk was installed and hey presto auto lights functioning as intended for the first time in 10 years so that was pleasing.. Score = 1-1
Alas I was unable to sort the reverse parking sensors as it appears the sensors I purchased are not the right ones and off an after fit reverse parking kit, so I have to source so genuine sensors to play around with. 1 - 2 to XJR

However, sent to my usual mechanic for a full service, replacement of a hose which has suffered a minor drip for the last few weeks and new 'for life' coolant and an MOT with no advisories.. I think I came out just about on top in the feel good stakes, but a little lighter in the wallet, not too bad though. The pleasure of Jaguar ownership..

[Andy P]

Hi Enva,
Well done on sorting most of your problems out,hope you get the sounder working eventually,is there any way of testing it to make sure it works since it's a used item or could be a bad earth,worth checking if not already done so.
Can't help much with reversing sensors if they are non Jag one's.
Good luck anyway.
It's always good to hear of a non advisory MOT pass on our cars.
All the best.
Andy

[Evna]

Cheers Andy,
Thanks for your response, Yes the reversing sensors are an odd one... looking back over the old receipts and history.. it turns out that the reversing sensor system was an after fit supplied and fitted by Racing Green Jaguar way back.. the new (secod hand - refinished) bumper which has been fitted contained genuine Jaguar items (and these were seen/heard working on the previous car) and they accept the plugs on the existing loom so fittings appear the same? and when you first put the car into reverse there is a long (say 5 seconds) tone and then nothing else.. which is more that I was getting from the old sensors. I'm going to have to book it in with a vehicle electrician or Jag specialist I think to get it sorted how painful can that be...
Evna

[Andy P]

Hi Enva,
If you have to get any new sensors these are exactly the same as Jaguar one's and I mean exactly,probably made by the same people as well.But make sure you have this type on your car.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... 3&_sacat=0
Or see my post
viewtopic.php?f=88&t=11900
I found out the sensor makes a clicking noise when it's working so what I did was put the car in reverse with the ignition on and then check the sensors at the back of the car to determine which one's are not working,sometimes they also vibrate to the touch when they are working.
The control module is in the boot in front of the security control module so if the continuous beep get's to annoying just unplug it.
Anyway hope this helps and good luck.
Take Care.
Andy