So I just had the main power amp for the radio replaced (~$3500 from the dealer) and received the failed unit.

I opened it up and not only see failed (shorted/burnt) components but I also see water stains and the bottom bottom of the case still had moisture on it.

The amp sits on the drivers side of trunk on top of the NAV unit and the CD changer. Water has clearly been getting in somewhere.

Are there any known leaks around the trunk lid? Could a drain from the sunroof be blocked?

Any ideas gratefully appreciated.
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

Are you serious? $3500?

I am pulling an amp from my trunk this week. Replacing it with my own system.

As for the leaks, I can't see how water would leak there, unless maybe you had ice build up during winter that re-routed the water flow.

 

>Are you serious? $3500?

$450 for initial diagnosis, which involved separate component testing and fiber-network monitoring, $2275 for the unit (try to find a C2C25736 for less, go ahead I dare 'ya... ;-), $416 to replace/configure/initialize, $157 tax.

Not happy and sure don't want it happening again!
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

>I am pulling an amp from my trunk this week. Replacing it with my own system.

Oh, and you do realize that the amp talks to the head-unit/NAV/CD-player via a Jaguar exclusive fiber optic network, don't you...

It is copper to the speakers, however.

==================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

I found out about the fibre optic this week while trouble shooting my unit. Although mine does not have NAV so not sure if the amp is different. I have wiring for NAV in there.

 

Jump in the boot/trunk, whatever, with a torch/flashlight, whatever. Have wife, significant other, friend, drunk neighbor, kid, well trained monkey, hose down the the closed boot/trunk area paying attention to the drivers side look for leak(s). I would choose the drunk neighbor first!

 

You should be able to fold down the rear seat backs for more room for the person in the trunk.

I was having a recent problem with my head unit and/or amp and after disconnecting the battery and reconnecting after 10 minutes it all worked fine. Since then I've had a couple more indications of recurring problem (no radio sound and no phone) but neither lasted more than 10 seconds.

I don't think that I could tolerate those repair prices and I'd probably go without until I could find a used unit from a wrecker.

 

So I peeled the trunk liner off and briefly looked around the NAV/CD/Amp stack for water staining and didn't notice anything. But I know the amp was exposed to moisture and I'm pretty sure that is what caused the board to short. I could see a dry film on the surface of the board right around where the shorts occurred.

Plus, the amp that they took out on Tuesday, and that I opened up to look at on Wednesday morning, was still noticeably wet in places. I could run my finger through it.

But, at this point, I'm pretty stumped about where the water is coming from.

==================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

I like the drunk neighbor suggestion a lot!
That was a new one to me.
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See if the floor of the trunk underneath is wet...that is usually the last place to dry.

It is also possible you had a leaking electrolytic capacitor on the board and not a leak from outside.

 

If checking the trunk for water be sure and pull everything out so you can really see the bottom.

Than while you have it out. Fill the spare tire! I will guarantee it's low.
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There are plastic cabin vents on each side behind where the rear bumper meets the rear wheels on dads 2001 S-Type. its covered by the bumper bar where it wraps around. These had popped loose and directed water flowing down the side behind the bumper and into the well on either side of the trunk where it pooled.


I'm not sure if they are there on later models, and the only way to check them is to remove the side trims and any electronics that sit in the cavity.

 

>It is also possible you had a leaking electrolytic capacitor on the board and not a leak from outside.

Hadn't thought of that, and Wiki says this:

The capacitor plague was a problem related to a higher-than-expected failure rate of aluminum electrolytic capacitors with liquid electrolyte between 1999 and 2007, especially brands from some manufacturers.[1][2] The capacitors failed prematurely due to an incorrectly formulated electrolyte which caused corrosion accompanied by gas generation, causing the capacitor's case to bulge, venting the electrolyte and sometimes rupturing the case.
High failure rates occurred in many well-known brands of electronic equipment. The problem was particularly evident in the motherboards, video cards, and power supplies of personal computers, causing failures of these devices.

Interesting...
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)