Newbie in Ohio
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Newbie in Ohio
Vonda99, here. Well, that's the name my wife gave her 1999 Vanden Plas--finally got her dream car for her. My job---keep the cat purring. This forum I found only this afternoon---looking forward to the help it can bring me. I have FOUR relatively minor problem areas to address, if anybody has anything helpful to offer.
1) I found this forum when researching the valve cover oil leaks. Two bolts leak---looked like I only need the O-rings for the bolts? I hate to remove the covers until I need further work underneath (or am I at the point where I should look?). The sparkplugs are under there, but everything is running smoothly (except for the surging when first started, which my Buick also does---really ROTTEN "gasoline" in these parts!). If I remove the valve covers, A) can I then see and check the secondary chain tensioners (63K miles on her) and B) do I need a whole new gasket and ring set installed just for having looked under the cover?
2) Boot light---I traced the electrical system and found that the Growler boot release button manually triggers a switch inside the lid which sends a message to one of the controllers to turn on the interior lights in the boot. Switch malfunctions. (If lights work, Growler won't and vice versa). Can I buy just that itsy bitsy teenie tiny micro switch? At the moment I have opted for having the Growler release button operative.
3) Possessed memory seating. Jump in, turn the key and get squashed against the steering wheel. If I am quick enough, I hit the #2 memory switch and it has stored some earlier version of my settings. (#1 is inoperative; my wife uses #3). Never know when that thing will pick a different setting. Two likely culprits, as far as I can discern: bad control module or bad potentiometers under the seat. Since it stores data sometimes and can recall it, I'm thinking maybe the potentiometers are OK and it is a bad control module. (I've been through bad module issues with the roof).
4) Front windscreen is lightly scratched by the wiper blade. I mean everywhere---makes it look etched. I can see through it but some lighting obviously makes things worse. Can NOT feel the scratches--not deep. Thinking of polishing it. Found a product at a local racing parts store (CCP 5 Minute Auto Glass Resurfacing Kit) that sounds like it might polish out some of these marks in the glass. Or there is the more intimidating cerium oxide powder and felt pads......
I have to say that the lean styling of this model Jag and the luxury are everything we ever wanted in a car. What a joy to drive. But I want her to be back to purrfect, so I've been working on things. (New sunroof rails and controller---by the way, get somebody who is young and skilled and drop the headliner onto the seats to do the work---the dealer and the factory procedure call for removing the rear window glass and passing the liner out the back!!! Expensive and you now have to properly reset the glass, which doesn't always happen correctly) Blew an upper radiator hose off the engine---replaced the spring clamps with screw-type SS hose clamps. Setting through the winter was too much for a new (3 month old) battery----winter driving alone doesn't necessarily fully charge a "new" battery. But it is all worth it.
PS---I drive my wife's "faux Jag"---a 1992 Buick LeSabre. Surprising how much the new X-350 model series looks like it--bigger rear end, etc. More than ever it looks like the Jag. The handling and ride, however............At least I get to drive Vonda99 to the gas station and the parts store!!!!
1) I found this forum when researching the valve cover oil leaks. Two bolts leak---looked like I only need the O-rings for the bolts? I hate to remove the covers until I need further work underneath (or am I at the point where I should look?). The sparkplugs are under there, but everything is running smoothly (except for the surging when first started, which my Buick also does---really ROTTEN "gasoline" in these parts!). If I remove the valve covers, A) can I then see and check the secondary chain tensioners (63K miles on her) and B) do I need a whole new gasket and ring set installed just for having looked under the cover?
2) Boot light---I traced the electrical system and found that the Growler boot release button manually triggers a switch inside the lid which sends a message to one of the controllers to turn on the interior lights in the boot. Switch malfunctions. (If lights work, Growler won't and vice versa). Can I buy just that itsy bitsy teenie tiny micro switch? At the moment I have opted for having the Growler release button operative.
3) Possessed memory seating. Jump in, turn the key and get squashed against the steering wheel. If I am quick enough, I hit the #2 memory switch and it has stored some earlier version of my settings. (#1 is inoperative; my wife uses #3). Never know when that thing will pick a different setting. Two likely culprits, as far as I can discern: bad control module or bad potentiometers under the seat. Since it stores data sometimes and can recall it, I'm thinking maybe the potentiometers are OK and it is a bad control module. (I've been through bad module issues with the roof).
4) Front windscreen is lightly scratched by the wiper blade. I mean everywhere---makes it look etched. I can see through it but some lighting obviously makes things worse. Can NOT feel the scratches--not deep. Thinking of polishing it. Found a product at a local racing parts store (CCP 5 Minute Auto Glass Resurfacing Kit) that sounds like it might polish out some of these marks in the glass. Or there is the more intimidating cerium oxide powder and felt pads......
I have to say that the lean styling of this model Jag and the luxury are everything we ever wanted in a car. What a joy to drive. But I want her to be back to purrfect, so I've been working on things. (New sunroof rails and controller---by the way, get somebody who is young and skilled and drop the headliner onto the seats to do the work---the dealer and the factory procedure call for removing the rear window glass and passing the liner out the back!!! Expensive and you now have to properly reset the glass, which doesn't always happen correctly) Blew an upper radiator hose off the engine---replaced the spring clamps with screw-type SS hose clamps. Setting through the winter was too much for a new (3 month old) battery----winter driving alone doesn't necessarily fully charge a "new" battery. But it is all worth it.
PS---I drive my wife's "faux Jag"---a 1992 Buick LeSabre. Surprising how much the new X-350 model series looks like it--bigger rear end, etc. More than ever it looks like the Jag. The handling and ride, however............At least I get to drive Vonda99 to the gas station and the parts store!!!!
Veteran member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,344
Likes: 1,163
From: Oak Ridge, TN
RE: Newbie in Ohio
Welcome Vonda, I saw your post on the boot switch, and at least that one looks like it is taken care of once you get the part from the dealer.
As for the rest, There are posts in the XJ sections, cant remember which, for both the secondary tensioners and those pesky o-rings and seal replacements. They're not too old, so browsing the XJ areas, i am sure you will find them.
If that fails you, start yourself a new thread in the appropriate XJ section, and the techs are around here constantly, plus those members who posted towards the threads I mentioned, will most likely chime in and link you to their location.
As for the possessed seat, do you get crushed even if you were the last one to be in the car and use your memory setting switch? My mom's lincoln does the same thing, it uses her previous setting, and if I hop in, it moves me forward unless I can hit the override, per say. If it is happening after you were the last one to use the memory #2 button, and it still wants to break you in half, I am at a loss. My first guess is the wife is driving it when you arent around, and she forgets to reset it back to your number. [sm=smiley26.gif] Is it possible? I think so...lol
As for the rest, There are posts in the XJ sections, cant remember which, for both the secondary tensioners and those pesky o-rings and seal replacements. They're not too old, so browsing the XJ areas, i am sure you will find them.
If that fails you, start yourself a new thread in the appropriate XJ section, and the techs are around here constantly, plus those members who posted towards the threads I mentioned, will most likely chime in and link you to their location.
As for the possessed seat, do you get crushed even if you were the last one to be in the car and use your memory setting switch? My mom's lincoln does the same thing, it uses her previous setting, and if I hop in, it moves me forward unless I can hit the override, per say. If it is happening after you were the last one to use the memory #2 button, and it still wants to break you in half, I am at a loss. My first guess is the wife is driving it when you arent around, and she forgets to reset it back to your number. [sm=smiley26.gif] Is it possible? I think so...lol
Veteran member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,344
Likes: 1,163
From: Oak Ridge, TN
RE: Newbie in Ohio
You can also try a 'hard reset' by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. It may 'clear' any previous settings and you can start fresh? worth a try at least. I never lose my stations either when I have had to do this.
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