Having acquired a year 2000 S type after driving a 1995 XJ6, I am finding the car Lumpy, Jerky, Stuttery etc. Now, I thought that if a fault develops, you are advised via "error codes". So, please forgive me; Where are these error codes to be seen? The screen in front of the steering wheel just gives me the every-day readouts; mileage, mpg etc. Am I missing something in my dotage?

 

You need a Scantool plugged into to the Diagnostic Port to read the error codes.



How to proceed with this depends on whether you do your own maintenance or use the services of the dealer or an independent mechanic..........?

Graham

 

Hi,
To read the error codes you need a special tool called an OBD II reader.
These plug into your car and hopefully will display the error code. then you can search on the internet.
The good news is they are quite cheap, available under £20, they plug into a notebook computer (I use an ELM27). just make sure its an OBD 11 reader.
The AA or any breakdown service will do it for free (dealer charges are high so dont go there),
I am sure if you list where you live there will be a member near you that will help.
If you are in kent UK I can help, or palm Coast florida after the 30th jan.
There is lots of info on the forums just search under OBD.
Stan

 

Thanks GGG and Stanjag; At least I now have a starting point. Living in Fermanagh in N.Ireland I might be limited to "assistance" - and I'm reluctant to go to the Jag Dealer here in the North who'll charge a fortune just to lift the bonnet and suck in air as he does so...!!!

 

An understandable reluctance!

A scantool is an essential piece of equipment to diagnose faults with your Jaguar.

The first choice to make is whether you want a simple plug in device that reads the codes directly or one that plugs into a laptop through an interface cable.

This link leads to the combined wisdom from members on OBD2 scanners:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...-%2A%2A-33347/

Some scantools don't work with Jaguars and some give false readings. Fortunately these are in the minority. Plenty of suggestions in the thread for scanners in the £20-£30 range which will read the basic codes for you.

Graham

 

Do bear in mind that the car can only flag codes in many but not all situations. Start by checking and since you could easily have an air leak do it soon so as to save your cats (catalytic converters)!

 

Thanks to all contributors. I have now arranged for a diagnostic read-out by a respected mechanic who does not "stick the arm in"..!!!
Interesting take from JagV8 - I have noticed a 'musty-exhaust like' smell in the cockpit at times...maybe the Cats are on their way out..??? Thanks again.

 

You've not filled in your car details in the UserCP (see below) so that hampers the answers a lot but failing cats should at worst smell behind the car not in the cabin. Plenty of other things smell there but again you need to fill in your UserCP.

 

Please post the results, including cost of repair and what bank you took out the mortgage to pay for it.

stan

 

Apologies for not completing this thread; I actually started a new thread following diagnosis of an ignition problem (coil or plug) with cylinder #3. This opened up a whole new can-o-worms as to WHICH cylinder was numbered 3..!!! At this precise moment a "friendly" mechanic is changing all the plugs and the coils on the two cylinders that reached the final of "guess-the-cylinder-number" competition..!!! He showed me the first plug he took out and the gap was wider than that in Terry Thomas' teeth!! (apologies to non Brits who don't know TT)...and the electrode was thinner than a needle. I'll post again as soon as I pick the old girl up and give her a run.....

 

You might want to consider changing all the coils and plugs. Be prepared to find oil in the spark plug wells which will require the cam cover gaskets to be changed as well. These are all wear items and well known to cause all kinds of problems. And problems that do not always set codes.

The V-6 is well known for vacuum leaks but the good thing is they are not too expensive to fix if you know where to look.
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Incredible difference.....!!! 6 new Iridium plugs and 2 new coil packs, and she seems to be spot on. Have not had a long run yet, but at the moment the jerking and hesitancy seemed to have disappeared. Will send out a further SOS if she proves me wrong after a decent run tomorrow. (blesses himself!!)
Thanks to all contributors - really appreciate it being from the old school of pure mechanical motoring.....