Hi all
I've just bought a 2000 S-type 3 litre V6
It's drives well except that when the gearbox goes into what I would describe as overdrive, it makes the car vibrate, it's worst at 45-50 mph and goes away when I try to accelerate
Any ideas?

 

You appear new, so welcome.

My first question is ALWAYS, when was the fluid/filter last changed???????.

Both mine did that when first in the fleet, but numerous (6 or 7) fluid drop and refills over a 6 month period, has seen it all but GONE.

The torque convertor is the prime suspect, and this fluid refresh may sort it, and it may not. Your car, your choice.

There is a write up on this by "me" at the top of this section, have a read, make a decission.

 

It could be a bad battery (really) or a bad coil or (quite likely) the elbow of the hose under the manifold has perished (as they all do).

 

It's not a misfire tho, why would a hose or coil/battery make it vibrate when it settles into top?

 

I did think maybe fluid related but wasn't sure, ill have a read up and decide

 

A bad coil pack will feel like that on a V6 model - misfiring under load but smoothing out when you shift down and reduce the load.

 

^^^ what he said

 

+2 on bad coil misfiring under load...

 

I'd be happy to believe its a coil but does it sound right that I can drive it hard no problem and then ease off the gas it changes up to top and starts vibrating?

 

Yep.

That is NOW classic coils/spark plugs, AND that easy (NOT) elbow under the lower inlet manifold.

How many miles/kms on this beast???????

The trans fluid drop and refill at least, is still #1 on my to do list with any S Type with the 5 speed unit.

 

Hmm now you've got me thinking, I drive it today very hard thinking im breaking it rather than keep it and it started firing on only 5 cylinders, how do I test for plug or coil issue? It was smoking loads to apparently. Can this be the same problem?

 

128000 miles,

 

you can test each coil with a COP tester or the coils can be "stress" tested at the dealership - Ford or Jaguar

 

On a vehicle of that age, replace all of the coil packs and plugs. Piecing them as they fail is not a good idea since half are covered with an intake manifold.

 

Additionally, if you choose to replace all coils - use Ford Motorcraft or Jagaur coils - any other cheaper option you proceed at your own risk...

 

Fisrt- check coils and spark plugs. If they are working properly, then adress the gearbox. Change the oil and the filter. Those should solve the problem. Flat battery is not a valid source of this problem. It could cause all kinds of electric malfunctions, but it could not cause your car to run on 5 cyliders.

 

Let's see. On 2/3/2013 I replaced all of the coil packs on my 01 S-Type 3.0 with coil packs that I bought on eBay for a grand total of $59.69. Nearly two years later, still runs like a charm and those "risk" based coils packs are a great value.


In fact, here there are available now:


New Ignition Coil Set of 6 Jaguar s Type 2003 2002 2001 2000 Lincoln LS Pack | eBay

 

They're great for those that turn out not to give troubles, but quite a few members here have had troubles and regretted getting cheap coils. If yours have been good then that buyer may be selling good coils, unlike some of them...

 

I had that problem but it was very clear that it was cutting out - loss of power and obvious missing, which was cleared up by coil replacements. It wasn't a vibration but an obvious jerking as the cylinder misfired. I too have have a subtle vibration depending on vehicle speed/gear and was going to have my wheel balance checked first. There's no comparing the two if you have something similar to the latter; not at all like a misfire.

 

Coils don't feel like you describe unless left to get worse and worse. Eventually you can feel what you describe. Much better to change them way before then!