I have been MIA for quite sometime. I had given up on my Jag. I drive it a few miles back and forth to work occasionally and that's it. I was basically waiting for it to die while I saved a few bucks to get a new car. I was having issue after issue. The tranny was not shifting correctly all the time (including the lurch and a couple times going into reverse while in drive at a stoplight), the volume on the stereo would go down, I was getting error codes for the knock sensors, the navi would reset to a different language, time, and temp and the air con would kick off of auto. I had both the battery and alternator tested and my mechanic said they were fine. I was told they were all individual problems and that it was so expensive,it was not worth it. This all changed today, I hope....

I took some oil to autozone today to get recycled and one of their associates said he had a jag too. I explained my problems and he said replace the battery, worked for him. We proceeded to debate the fact that the battery and alternator tested fine. He convinced me to try a battery on the condition I could return it and get my old battery back. So far it's like a totally new car. I have no error codes, shifting is better, the navi is so bright it's a different color and the air con seems colder.

How could this all be related to the battery? I am totally happy but thoroughly confused.

Thanks for thoughts.

 

Just be happy if it's all good.
Checking the battery is always a top suggestion with a load of strange problems.

 

It's really simple to understand, but perhaps more difficult to accept.

Modern up-market cars are completely driven by computers. These computers run on very low voltages, very often 5 volts or less. As a result any weakness in the cars main battery can have a critical effect on the whole car.

Replacing with a new, top quality battery can and does breathe new life into your car, as you found.

So, any electrical problems manifest themselves, the very first thing to check is the condition of the battery.


Dave

 

Glad you got it fixed but if you had read this list you would have seem massive amounts of battery problems.

You results is beyond common and it the first thing to change.

It's nice when there are really no problems at all!
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One of the best ways to test a battery is to check each cell with a hygrometer. Granted, some batteries are "sealed" and won't allow it.
Most auto parts stores have this item and for around $5.00.
Bet you had at least one bad/weak cell in that other battery that wasn't found just by checking the voltage.

 

FYI - ALLDATA says this is a recall item for certain '03-04 S-Types in VIN range M44998-M96322 with the ZF 6-speed auto trans. Certain XJs and XKs were also affected.

The recall notice is Recall Action R-513. The fix is to have the TCM reprogrammed. You should probably check this out.

I called Jaguar North America, gave them my VIN, and they said my '03 S-Type was not affected or possibly had already been reprogrammed. Their phone is: (201) 818-8500.

 

I'd like to know more about this. I was always under the impression it needed physical input and couldn't do it electronically.

 

Thanks. I will check it out.

 

NHTSA detail recalls. E.g. Recall Results | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

You can usually find more detail if you look (google etc), such as http://www.jagrepair.com/images/TSB/...0Selection.pdf

There are (a tiny number of) other recalls, such as R166/R167.

Often a government sub-part in each country (I think UK is VOSA but it's 5 years since I looked for my car) keeps enough details to point an owner of any make/model/year/etc to the maker if they may be affected. Probably a good idea to look any time you buy any car, just in case its previous owners ignored the recall(s) if there were any.

Almost every car has zero outstanding recalls.

I checked with my local jag franchise when I bought my car, too.

Many recalls are for potential faults rather than ones known ever to occur. Worth having fixed, of course.

 

Good info. Thanks for posting, JagV8.
Steve

 

I called Jaguar North American and spoke to a very nice and helpful lady that set an appointment for me to have my car looked at, at my local Jag dealer. She said that it would qualify for the recall.

From past experience, I am not a big fan of my local dealer but we will see what happens. Thanks again for all the advice...... I'll let you guys know how it went.

 

Well... good so far. Good luck!

 

thanks, does anyone know the reason, or how, the gearbox is able to go from D to R without physical input as i was under the impression this wasn't electronic controlled and required a physical movement of a lever via cable.

 

I found it hard to believe, but took the recall at face value. It loks to be that when stationary and D is chosen then R may result. It also mentions low oil or a sticking valve, so maybe this is very much belt & braces stuff. (Which safety stuff should be.)

Did anyone upload it, oh here it is anyway

 

Good luck!

 

So here is what I found and the end results.


The Jag dealership said I had an oil pan gasket that was bad and needed to be replaced ($400), the transmission cooler hose was bad causing the low pressure and gear box fault light to go on and off ($900), and a few misc. extras (like $45 for license plate light bulb). I just had them check the car out today though.


I decided to replace the oil pan gasket myself. I found that 8 of the 17 screws were loose. I took them off by hand. The gasket on the pan was like brand new. I replaced it anyway. The oil must have been leaking from the screws.


Next I decided to add some oil to the transmission. I got the car level, opened the fill hole (nothing came out), ran it until the pan reached a temp of 32 degrees C, pumped about 1/2 to 3/4 of a liter of oil until it dripped, capped it and checked it again. All seems good. One thing though, I don't think it is a big deal but I made the mistake of trusting a local parts guy's computer that said my car with the zf6hp26 needed Pentosin ATF1. I plan on changing it all soon.


As far as the leaking transmission cooling hose goes, the $900 quote is not all that bad. I may have them change it soon as well. This repair seems beyond me. If my adding of oil is correct, it took three years for it to loose that 1/2 to 3/4 of a liter oil.


Also, the jag dealer did perform the recall on the transmission and they have a few parts on order for a R167 Unintended Rear Wheel Braking Recall. I did take about 50-100 miles for the trans. recall to take total effect.


Overall, the car runs better and for now I have no transmission issues. My experience at the dealer was OK (much better than usual). They were extremely busy and understaffed. I was given a loner for the day and their repair rep was very courteous.

 

Sounds like you're on your way to getting the car working correctly, congrats. I'm sure you'll hear from the Forum experts about the appropriateness of using the Pentosin ATF. Wow! $45 to change 2 license plate lights that don't even require any tools? That's a bit steep for a job that almost anyone can do and takes <5 minutes. Good luck with the remaining repairs.
Steve