2006 XK8, 49,800 miles.

For the past couple of weeks, my wife has reported that "DSC Fault" sporadically displays on the dash along with the ABS light coming on. In every case she has pulled off the road, turned the ignition off for a minute or two, turned the ignition back on, and all is normal again until it reoccurs a few days later....

So I did the research here on the forum and discovered that when this occurs, it is usually caused by brake dust and grime building up on the two rear wheel speed sensors, interfering with their ability to do their job. So this morning I followed Reverend Sam's YouTube instructions for cleaning all four wheel speed sensors. As predicted, the two rear sensors were grimy and greasy, whereas the two front sensors were relatively clean. I gave all of them a good scrubbing with an old toothbrush and some dish soap & water....

If this fails to resolve the problem, my next suspicion would be that the factory battery (May 2005) is beginning to give up the ghost, causing false alerts to be thrown....

I do not believe that one of the wheel speed sensors is actually faulty because if it was, wouldn't the "DSC Faulty" message remain illuminated on the dash 100% of the time rather than just showing up very sporadically?

Any thoughts and advice on how to proceed would be very much appreciated....

 

If it does come back, this may help:
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource
RJ_________________________
97 XK8 86K mi

 

Thanks for the link. Very helpful. But I don't know if I can trust myself cracking open and messing with the ABS control module. Does Gus do these repairs if I can remove the module and ship it to him?

Also, if it is indeed the ABS module that has failed, wouldn't the warning indicators on the dash stay on 100% of the time rather than just flash on sporadically?

 

Mine was not on all the time, but it needed repair. Go to ebay and search for ABS repair. I used Module Repair Pro in California. Cost was about $50.
RJ_____________
97 XK8 86K mi

 

Hi jon, I would consider the abs module itself as being the cause LAST. I don't remember a single 03+ ABS module to give up. Sensors definitely, then look at their wiring and connecters. They are in a location that can damaged by road debris. What you need is my autoengenuity with you when it happens, grab the abs code, and that will nail down the exact location - if it is a wheel speed conflict. I will probably have the AE scanner back from another member in 2 weeks, if you're still having problems, shoot me a PM and I'll loan it to you.

 

Jon +1 on H2Oboy's pointing out the ABS module being the last place to look at - but you could have a loose solder connection in there causing the intermitient ABS/DSC issue - you can check the 2 pin plug going into the ABS module from the ABS pump - make sure those connectors are clean and connected tight - be careful - make sure you release the tab before disconnecting - also, put a dab of di-electric grease in the connector as well before re-connecting...

 

Having cleaned the wheel sensors and checked the harness connectors, I'd go with Battery before ABS Module.

If it was a permanent fault, Module would be first choice. Intermittent fault makes Battery first suspect.

I had the same intermittent DSC Fault warning and used AE with Jaguar enhancement to troubleshoot it. Since fitting a new Battery two months ago it hasn't reappeared.

The 4.2 seems even more sensitive to Battery condition than the earlier 4.0.

Graham

 

Thanks for all of the feedback as well as Matt's offer to lend me his scan tools. As I previously stated, I will install a new battery if these sporadic DSC Fault warnings persist after having cleaned the wheel speed sensors. I believe that our particular car may be "too new" to be suffering from actual DSC problems. I know from my years of participation in the S-Type section that once your battery starts to fade, a number of false warnings seem to begin to sporadically occur. I hope that is the case now with our XK8. A new battery would be a relatively inexpensive and easy fix....

I'll continue to monitor the behavior of the car's electronics and take it from there....

 

It would be good to get the ABS codes. In my case I had a code saying that the left front sensor circuit was open. I swapped the sensors and connecting cables but the fault remained the same, leading me to conclude the problem was in the module.
RJ______________
97 XK8 86K mi

 

Update:

My wife was driving on Sunday afternoon with the top up and properly latched. Out of the blue she saw "Convertible Top Not Properly Latched" displayed on the dash. She pulled over, turned the ignition off, waited a minute or so, turned the ignition back on, and the message had disappeared....

Later that afternoon I was outside in the driveway removing the blade on my lawnmower to sharpen it. I heard a "pop" that sounded distinctively like the car's trunk popping open when you press the key fob trunk release button, but my keys were in the house on the kitchen table. I walked over to the XK8, checked the trunk, and sure enough it had popped open by itself....

Either the car is haunted or the battery is failing. I'm guessing I need either an exorcist or a new battery....

 

Battery for sure.
Mind you a few years ago I parked a Toyota and it suddenly started raising and lowering the windows and locking/unlocking the doors at a furious rate - pretty sure the Devil was in it until I realised I was just outside Malvern RRE (Radar Research Establisment)!

 

I had strange electrical issues once after getting a new battery - the lights on the interior could not be turned off, alarm would not arm, among others. I performed a hard reset and all was good after that. A low battery, of course, was obviously not considered as a viable cause in my case.

 

I also get random DSC warnings. Sometimes it happens when the car is moving and sometimes at startup (which rules out dirty sensors). The warnings usually go away after a restart and often won't come back for several months. I suspect a loose connector.
I ask the dealer service department and they replied it's a jaguar don't worry about.

 

You guys are cracking me up! I had an old E-Type in the shop today. When I pulled it out the new kid says "that car leaked some oil on the floor". I told him it was a "good" thing. He looked bewildered, and I told him "A Jag that doesn't leak oil, is OUT of oil." He finally got it! Of course, these new ones are darned tight. I know, I strayed off the electrical issue a bit. The reason the E-type was in was for a dash short. Hey, it's a Jaguar...

 

Update:

I installed a new Bosch 49/850B vented battery last evening. Purchased from Pep Boys using a $20 coupon printed from their website that is valid until Sept. 30th. Brought the price down to $89 plus tax. 3-year free replacement with an 8-year pro-rated warranty. 850 cold cranking amps. The battery was built in August 2012. Time will tell if the car likes this battery and stops throwing spurious warning alerts as a result....

At least the car has sparkling-clean wheel speed sensors now....

 

Please let us know in a week or so if that fixed it.

 

After charging battery with smart charger, battery disconnected, when this full, reconnected, programming windows, radio, clock, and a few miles abs fault, faulty TRACC, stability. I turn off and on and desaparce .. then no more. Wheel sensors clean, tight and clean plug module, battery charged .... I do not understand ... I fear for module, or think it's battery .. any suggestions with the battery disconnected error memory ... thanks - jaguar xkr 2001 19.000 millas very new. sorry language

 

There is no need to disconnect the battery when charging with a smart charger. Keeping it connected avoids having to reprogram windows, radio and clock.

It is definitely an ABS / TRAC fault you are getting with the word FAULT showing in the Message Centre and not just the warning that it is operating?

If it is displaying a fault and you know your wheel sensors are clean with good harness connections, then the battery has to be suspect.

Graham

 

I have the same battery which I installed about 6 months ago - very good reliable results so far and the warranty is awesome!

 

I'm from Argentina, I write with google translator, I still long, I thank you for your attention, I wanted to know if it is normal abs light comes on but fault traction, stability ... after connecting battery and program the car. I have 19,000 miles, clean sensors, battery charged, abs module original, just clean the contacts, my abs light comes after charging battery.