Hi
*** Jaguar s-type 4.0 2002 model Year
I just noticed this issue.When i start the car inside the garage , with light switch in auto position head lights and instrument cluster lights comes on for few seconds and go off. Only way to get the lights on is to turn the light switch manually to on( clockwise).

Same applies when i start the car when its dark.

If i switch off the ignition and restart the engine again the light will come on for few seconds like above and goes off. Checking the wiring diagram all SCP signals comes from electronic module.
Has anybody experienced this? It’s a bitch to take off facia panel,(its brittle) to check the auto lamp sensor, without breaking the brittle plastic.

Is there another way to check the serviceability auto lamp sensor?
Thanks
Mel

 

Is that a fault...

 

I think there is a procedure to test the ambient light sensor in the jaguar SDD software? But I may be wrong.
But I am not sure about the older Jaguar IDS software that you need to use on your 2002 car.
However, from what I understand they usualy fail so the lights are on all the time the 'auto' position is used on the switch.

Mellow

 

It could be a glitch in the control module. I do not know which module controls the sensor feature. Best thing is to check all modules for codes

 

You could shine a light on the sensor or cover it up with a piece of tape? Then see what changes?
I do know what your talking about with that brittle plastic to. You will break the defroster panel if you try to take it out. That's pretty much guaranteed after all these years.
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Thanks for the input. Reading some posts , sensor fail safe position is to have the lights on, unlike my case. I will check the electronic modules codes.

 

when i had the same problem it was the sensor unfortunately. The demister panel has to come off. But there is a yard in the UK that has them. Autoreservejaguar. Got a great one for about 100 us delivered. Mine was already broke and the new one had the sensor

 

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Finally i was able to trouble shoot and fix the issue. Below is the synopsis of events look for if anyone encounter the same problem.

1. First thing to note is the auto lamp sensor resides in the same ASSY as the car security light( red light that blinks when the car is locked and security alarm is activated.in fact there are two lamps in that module.

2. When my auto lamp failed, every time i bring the car into the garage, light next to the security light comes on red.( not sensing sunlight) some have stated auto lamp fails in lights on mode, but not mine.

3. After back probing the wires of auto lamp sensor confirmed the sensor was bad,with minimum facia panel damaged I managed to replace and the old lady is back on the road.

 

Great results and thanks for reporting back too!
Can you post a part number and price ? Would be a big help for the next guy.
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