Driving home from work I last night, I hit a bump on the Interstate and thought I saw a red light flicker around the thermostat gauge. I hit another bump about a mile from the house, and thought I saw it again. It has been a long day and i was tired, sure I wasn't sure.

But coming home from work again, I hit those same two bumps again and it didthe red light! It doesn't stay on...just flashes when I hit those bumps.

What would the light be?

 

Stop hitting thosebumps..

 

I wish I could!

 

Honestly Jamey..I don't know what it could be..Look at your OM and see if you can find the corresponding light on the Instrument display per the book....May give one of the Jag dudes here something to go on..Could be a lowCoolant level sensor if the reservoir tank is kinda low..

 

I'm looking in the OM as we speak, and I can't find it. Hopefully someone here can help!

 

It's possible that it could be a loose sensor (ie. trunk open) that just flashes when you hit bumps.

Or, it could be the early signs of a Gearbox Fault failure. Chances are that if it flashes (even for a second) it might be triggering some codes in the system and that would be the only surefire way to know. Your dealer can tell you if any have registered and what they mean.

I actually had this happen to me a while back and it occurred just a few months prior to receiving a Gearbox Fault failure that required a replacement transmission.

I've also heard talks on other forums of a loose wiring harness that could also be the problem and may go overlooked. Either way it sounds like your best bet is to bring it to the dealer.

 

I'm 4 hours from my nearest dealer and was hoping I could up with something on my own. Thanks...I'll keep looking!

 

Well you can buy a code reader but theres no guarantee that it will show results (or accurate ones) in the case that something is loose.

Not sure what else you can do but I just want to warn you that if it is a genuine Gearbox Fault alert you'll want to make that 4 hour trip to the dealer real fast.

Someone else here might have some more suggestions.

 

Don't make sense to be a transmission fault..if it only happens when it hits a bump...Got to be something loose, not making a solid connection...

BTW..Auto Zone will read your codes for free..

 

This exact same thing happened to me prior to getting Gearbox Failure lights. I figured it was something loose as well but the dealer got suspicious when I told them about a red light flashing. Turned out they were right and I got a permanent Gearbox Failure about a month and a half later. They replaced the transmission and I didn't get any more flashes.

Anyway, from the little information he provided it's impossible to tell and like I said the only surefire way is to check the codes!

 

Wasn't doubting you a bit..hope you didn't get that impression...just that it seems odd that a bump would cause that..but you are living proof..thanks and sorry for sounding doubtful..

 

Understood...... Im just trying to consider ALL the options. Doesn't seem like enough evidence to rule that out considering my prior experience.

 

Where is the light? Can you take a picture of the instrument cluster and draw an arrow to where the light is?

 

I'll try but in the meantime, it is directly above and to the right of the thermostat gauge. It might be the open door light. It flashes a millisecond when the car hits a bump. It's a rough place of the interstate where the asphalt changes on my way home.

 

If that is what it is, I would suspect trunk latch first. Notorious for going bad.

 

Thanks! That's a great start...I still have a warrenty from the dealer and I'll get them to check it out.

 

Bingo FTJ!

Trunk latch. You da man.

 

These guys are awesome. eh?

 

Arden X mentioned the trunk open thing.... Which is very common on Xs.
Glad its sorted.

 

I appreciate the credit FTJ but might not have done him any good without the correct terminology.