Good evening, I am hoping you guys can help me out. I already searched this forum, google and bing, and came up empty handed, here is my issue:

2002 S type 3.0L, 86k miles

I am getting a p1383 and p1388 which is the VVT sensors (over retarded). I check with Jaguar, and the TSB reflash has already been done. The CELs make the idle bounce from 700-1k, and the car noticeably hesitates when accelerating. I am getting an oil change in the morning and I read I should try a thicker weight oil.

I also want to know if someone can tell me the location of the sensors, as I read I should pull them and check for metal shavings, which would tell me of a bigger problem. I will also check voltages.

Any other comments or ideas? I appreciate any help I can get!!

 

I would not use a thicker oil without first being convinced by someone I trusted!!

I take it you think or have been told that the PCM update has been done for TSB S303-09? Do you have an "AUTHORIZED MODIFICATION LABEL" on the left B-post below the door striker plate which confirms the reflash has been done?

I can post the TSB if you want it.

I've never heard of P1383 or P1388 in any other context on the S-Type. I wonder if the reflash could have been done incorrectly (or even not done at all).

With luck a tech will join in.

 

Thanks for the reply. I checked and there is no sticker in that spot. WhatI did was call my local Jaguar in Tampa, gave them my VIN, and they told me all recalls were done. I wonder if they lied?

 

Also, just to give more info. I just started the car, shut the A/C off, and the idle is better than with it on. It didnt change the hesitation while driving though.

 

Chances are they didn't check properly or at all because you should definitely have that sticker if the reflash was done. And someone (such as a tech here) knows otherwise, those codes just don't occur on other cars except when that reflash hasn't been done. If you can find another dealer, I would. And if they say it's been done ask them for a print-out showing which dealer did it and when. They should be able to provide that because as I understand it Jaguar Corporate would have paid them for doing it and that means an audit trail. Or... you could contact Corporate and see if they can provide the data - I'd write so you have a paper trail you can refer back to if need be. If the reflash hasn't been done I don't think you'll get it free at this time but I'm fairly sure it won't be expensive.

If you can find a friendly dealer I think they can either do the printout or connect the car to their IDS and IDS will check for reflashes then do them or say they're already done. I'd think if none needed they're not gonna charge more than their minimum diagnostic fee (often 0.5 hour).

(I'd go to a different dealer, just to start fresh.)

Er.... do you know what type of oil is in the car? Could it be wildly the wrong stuff? Should be 5W30 (or thereabouts).

Hesitation .... if those codes are there I see no point in pursuing it because the car's already unhappy and operating outside its usual parameters. You really need to get the underlying known issue fixed first, then wait and see if any other issues are there or not.

 

I had the same codes this AM when I checked on a CEL. What do they normally mean. I have seen them listed with a lot of different symptoms when I search the forum.

Looks like they are associated with valve timing. I have not had any symptoms other than the CEL light.

What did you find out, 02stypeidle? Let me know. Thanks.

 

Try this

 

Same thing is going on with my 2002 3.0 with 86k! What a coincidence! The dealer is doing a reflash now and then replacing the O2 sensors. Another dealership told me that my upper and lower gaskets needs to be replaced. I don't know who to believe

 

I just bought my '02 S Type when the check engine light came on the P1383 code popped up. Mine has 86k miles on it. This doesn't seem coincidental

 

It's so specific that you can stick the code into the forum's Search box and read the S-Type threads

 

This thread has given me great insight into this problem so I thank everyone for their info. Does anyone know if the reflashes have to be done at a Jag dealership exclusively? I have a great mechanic but he's not a Jag dealer and I haven't had great luck with my li al ones

 

It can be done by anyone with appropriate reflashing equipment, expertise, and access to the appropriate files etc. Generally that's going to be a jag place or an indy. It's potentially DIY - but rather expensive!! - so I don't know anyone who actually does DIY reflashing.

 

My experience with those codes was due to the oil. The reflash was just a cover up in my mind, cause it didn't always work. My best example was that we had a car in that had the codes. We changed the oil with 10w-40 and drove it. No codes. The car came back years later under a new owner who just had the oil changed. They used the recommended 5w-30 and the same codes were stored. We changed it back to 10w-40 and never saw it again. That it was I would recommend for those two codes specifically.

Another point I want to make is that not all tech's at the dealer would affix stickers all the time. I did my best with them but even I couldn't get every car a sticker for all the updates. We had so many updates going on in the mid 2000's that we would often run out of stickers.

 

Also wanted to note that a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) is NOT a recall. All cars have many TSB's issued by the manufacturer.

Recalls not so much. On the 2005 S type there was only one recall ever issued for the fuel tank. These are considered mandatory but as other people have stated they don't always get done.
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While this is a TSB and not a recall, depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle it may be covered by the Federal (in the US) or California mandated emissions warranties (this potentially false flagging could a) prevent a car from passing a required emissions test, b) hide some other defect, or c) be a genuine variable valve timing issue).
However, I think that the car in question is outside of the emissions warranty time and mileage requirements.

 

I expect all the cars that can suffer false-flagging are out of time.

 

Is the 10w40 supposed to be a blend or full synthetic?

 

Either.

 

As always JagV8, thank you for your diligent and helpful advice! I owe you :-))

 

You're welcome, though I'm only passing on stuff that I got elsewhere.

And on changing to 10W40, that's a tip from the jag techs, who are the guys doing this stuff all the time. I hope it works, as it's a simple cheap thing.