Hey guys, I've searched all over the web and on this forum and have not encountered anything similar to the problem that I am experiencing.... So here goes.

The vehicle is a 2000 S-Type with a V8.

When you start the car after it has been off for 4-8 hours you are greeted with CATS SYSTEM FAULT and TRACTION CONTROL FAULT as well as:
ABS light
Traction Control light
Brake Light
Check Engine Light

The ABS system appears to be working even though the light is on. But the traction control doesn't work, and as far as i can tell the CATS system doesn't work either. The speedometer also does not work.

Once you drive the car for about 20-30 minutes the speedometer begins to work and once you restart the car all the lights as well as the warning messages go away (Except Check Engine light). And for the rest of the day these lights will not reappear.

Now for some history on the car: It has 90,000 miles, a salvage title, a rear speed sensor code, bad catalytic converters code, and according to a Jaguar shop "a non-original computer" that needs to be reprogrammed to this specific vehicle. The Interior lights are also not working and if you put a new fuse in it immediately blows.

Now my question is, could the speed sensor have something to do with this issue?

Should i try replacing the speed sensor before getting the computer reprogrammed?

Has anyone seen or heard of a similar issue?

Thanks in advance for any advice yall might have!

 

Welcome. You may be brave taking that car on!

Could it have a bad battery? Modern cars are full of computers. They HATE failing batteries. Usually the car will start but loads of weird errors are reported. Have the battery tested Now, that won't account for the fuse blowing but that could be a chafed wire or some such. If you can find it you may also find other damage that needs fixing.

If you can DIY, get hold of JTIS (see fleabay, probably under workshop manual). Best $10 you'll spend.

With ABS light on, the ABS should be disabled i.e. you have brakes but not ABS. Gravel or wet leaves or the like to try it out - with care.

However.... get that battery checked first as it could be causing fake errors!

The tale about the computer is odd, as I understood the car would not start in such a case. Maybe a tech will chime in on that.

 

I agree about looking at the battery first as these cars display all sorts of faults on a low battery.

 

ABS works. its been raining alot here in houston and i have had several chances to test out this car.

i will check the battery asap.

thanks for all suggestions guys, keep them coming!

 

I would check the Airbag system. ( lots of sensors in there ) including yaw and acelerometer. May be tied into your CATS problem.

Bring it into the *********** and get all the compters checked out,it may only cost you a few bucks.

 

Wish I could help you with a solution here, clearly electrical. However, you WILL KNOW when your CATS system is legitimately not working, and not some other random electrical sensor throwing the code. It will drive and feel like an INDY car, the suspension is SO stiff it will give you a headache from all the head bobbling (even on small bumps, imperfections in the road). The CATS has its own module (located in the trunk). I am assuming that it is not your CATS module, so it is clearly something else throwing those warnings. So at least you can eliminate the CATS module. When mine went, it only said CATS Sytem Fault, not all that other stuff.

Good luck man

 

well it rides stiffer and it feels like the steering is heaver... does that sound right?

i am used to bouncy though, i drive an acura tl with full coilover suspension tuned for maximun stiffness, so no headaches here!

 

If it's a bad battery and CATS is disabled you'd hardly be surprised at the symptoms you have. So, check the freakin battery.

 

allrighty, checked the battery, its good and the alt is putting out 13.75 a idle and about 14 and change around 2000 rpm... so both of those are good. im thinking ill change out the rear speed sensor next and see if i can get any results. what do yall think?

 

There are 4 sensors, tons of wiring and connectors, the control module and so on. Diagnostics can say which is the likely culprit. You're likely to damage each sensor you remove so just changing them is not cheap unless the sensors are!

If you change any, make sure to seal the new ones or further trouble later.

Worth cleaning any rust off, with care. But better to diagnose.

 

well guys, the problem went away and hasn't been back for several months now...

not sure what happened or what changed, but thanks for all of your help!

 

hmmm, so maybe somewhere was damp and dried out? Or the battery is happier now it's warmer? Or... who knows! Keep an eye on it - and thanks for the follow-up

 

dsickles, JagV8 is nudging you on a path leading to a systematic process of elimination allowing you to recover control of the electrical systems. Avoid replacing items without knowing if they are at fault...$$$. Some have found salvation with a hard reset of the ECU (disconnecting negative terminal from battery, touching to the positive terminal for 10 seconds, leaving off for an hour, then reconnecting negative terminal). The rational for this procedure is: a system that malfunctions may also give rise to codes indicating another system is also at fault when it is actually not. Good luck with your new gal.

 

bull
where is the cats module to disconnect in the trunk of my jag s type r 2003, I want to instal after market struts