hi to all, would really appreciate some help. I have a 2001 jaguar x-type 3lt petrol. the speedo does not work and sometimes the handbrake light goes on. thanks

 

jahannes, from the sounds of things, you have a problem with your ABS computer. This computer takes in the wheel speed sensors and converts them over to a signal to be used by the instrument cluster. So, unless you have a problem with only your instrument cluster (possible), that would be the next likely thing. Granted, if your ABS computer is not playing right, then I would be expecting your brakes to be acting a bit weird (ie, not braking sufficiently or too hard). I only mention the ABS computer because you are also getting the handbrake light. You would have to have 2 problems if it was both an instrument cluster and hand brake switch failure. Possible, but not likely.

 

hi, thanks for the reply. the brakes are working perfectly. the car was standing for a month and a half. only after it was driven again did these simptoms appear. sometimes the needle would go up to 10mph then drop back down. could it be the back sensors that are not working? the abs light is not on. just handbrake and only sometimes. once i restart the car the light goes off.

 

johannes, if you have a wheel speed sensor issue, your ABS light would be on. You can verify that the ABS light is not blown by simply turning the key to the RUN position and you will see the ABS light turn on momentarily. hence why I am not going after the wheel speed sensors. Besides, you would have to have all 4 fail to not get any indication.

Unfortunately, it is looking like you will need to pull the instrument cluster to do a good look there for a broken solder joint (look for a fine black ring around the center of a solder joint). Otherwise, you are back to what I had initially said.

 

hi thanks,just had a look,abs light is not coming on.

 

johannes, that changes things dramatically. Based on what you are seeing now, get the codes read for the car and specifically as for the "C" codes to be read. If you are having issues with the wheel speed sensors, you should be getting some codes like C1145, C1155, C1165, and the like. From there, we can narrow things down. But, for the speedo to not be responding, atleast 2 wheel speed sensors need to be having issues or the ABS computer is not playing nice. Lets get the codes and restart. At this point, that is going to be the best course of action.

 

hi, took it to auto elec today. no fault codes. he thinks it is probably water damage to abs ecu. he will take it off on thursday to check. if not would the dashboard be the next step? thanks

 

johannes, yes, if the ABS computer checks out fine (which if it was failed, it should be giving you a PXXXX code stating that there is a problem with the CAN/data bus. So, from the looks of things, you have an issue with your instrument cluster.

 

thanks, do you perhaps know what fault code p03ff is? at first the scanner did not pick up any fault. after plugging out the abs ecu plug and plugging it in again this fault code came up.also the cruise control does not work.should i go after the abs ecu or the instrument cluster first? thanks

 

johannes, let me look at the diagrams. If your cruise is not working, that may point me in a better direction. As for the code you are seeing, I will need to convert that code into decimal form as it is currently in what appears to be hexadecimal form (I take it you tried to pull the codes from the instrument cluster).

 

hi yes, he plugged it in under the dash. first no fault codes came up. after that he unplugged the abs pump ecu. scanned it again and p03ff came up. he said might be water damage to abs ecu but he must take it off first to check. the speedo sometimes goes up to 10mph then drops down to 0mph.thank you . really appreciate your help.

 

the odometer is working and clocking up miles. thanks

 

johannes, well, looking at the drawings, if your odometer is racking up the miles, then your problems almost 100% for sure lies in the instrument cluster. You are having all the data come through on the CAN bus, so, it is getting lost inside the instrument cluster itself. Wish the news was better, but, atleast we know where the problem lies.

 

thank you very much. i can get an instrument cluster from the same year and model of car. almost the same mileage. is it only the keys that need programming to the new cluster? can it be done manually?thanks

 

johannes, to my knowledge, the instrument cluster needs to be programmed to the car as it needs to know the digital key information so that it can pass the signals around the car. So, you will more than likely need to have the instrument cluster programmed by a professional shop with those capabilities. maybe someone else will be able to provide some additional information.

 

thank you for your help.you have saved me lots of money and time. will update once done