Hello everyone,

I have an issue with the flickering screen on my Jaguar XF 2008. The screen used to flicker from time to time, but most of the time it was working. One day, I found my car battery dead in the morning and asked my neighbor for jump cables to restart the car. He lent me his cables, but we connected them incorrectly, resulting in them melting. As a consequence, I received an airbag message, and my screen stopped working completely.

I recently changed the battery, and the airbag warning turned off, but the flickering screen issue returned. I researched forums and discovered that one of the modules might be causing the problem. I tested the CD box in the boot, the amplifier, and the Bluetooth module under the seat with MOST fiber bypass, one by one. Starting from the boot with the CD Sat Nav box, the flickering persisted. The same happened when testing the amplifier and Bluetooth module separately.

I attempted to connect the MOST bypass to both the Bluetooth module and the amplifier, resulting in the screen turning off. I'm uncertain about the next steps to fix the flickering issue. Could it be that both the amplifier and Bluetooth module are not working? Is there any way I could turn on the screen by disconnecting both modules?

Thank you for your assistance.

Angry

 

Hi Angry, others have travelled this path before you. Have a read through this thread
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-101401/page2/

 

Thanks for sharing the link. Yes, I've read this thread and many others. I've also tried everything they did, but unfortunately, it hasn't been helpful. I know it's a common issue with the Jaguar XF, but in my case, I'm unable to identify the problem. I booked a diagnostic with Jaguar, but they gave me an appointment for April. 😡

 

So you've checked under the carpet for water?

 

Yes, I checked under the seat for water and corrosion. It is completely dry, with no damage to the Bluetooth module or wires. Everything looks completely fine.

 

I'd be continuing to investigate the fibreoptic all the way up to the dash in the first instance, as this system has been shown to cause the flickering many times. I'd suggest looping the f/o right up at the back of the display- I don't recall exactly where it connects, rear of the audio control panel if memory serves. Problem with this of course is that it's a ******* to get in to, you might be able to reach it from the left footwell but if not you've got to start dismantling from the back of the centre console and work your way forward. The f/o cable can be clipped out of the connector plugs to make a loop.

Just to be clear though; do you now have a screen that flickers, or does it still not work at all after the jump-start disaster?

 

Thanks for your reply; that's what I was planning to do. Just to clarify, are you suggesting that I should try disconnecting the fiber optics from the rear of my audio unit? I recently replaced the gear selector on this car, so I have an idea of how to access the audio unit by taking out the dashboard panels. Should the fiber optics be connected at the back of the audio unit, and could I test it with a fiber optics loop? If that's the case, and the screen stops flickering after I connect the loop, what would that mean? Does it imply that all modules are okay, and the fiber optics need to be replaced?

Yes my screen is flickering now, it’s not dead.

Thank you!

 

With the qualifier that I am not an expert in the fibre-optic system, just applying a logical diagnostic process...the fibre-optic system and the modules connected to it have been shown to cause this flickering screen problem. Therefore that system seems a logical place to start with the diagnostics; you've already confirmed that the bluetooth and audio modules are ok, but that doesn't rule out the rest of the f/o system....so yes, I'm suggesting disconnecting the f/o right up at the rear of the audio unit and looping it. If the screen stops flickering, you'll know the problem lies downstream from there in the f/o operated system or the fibres themselves, then it's a matter of isolating where in the system the problem is. If the flickering remains, it's probably reasonable to assume the problem is somewhere else.
If you do confirm that the f/o system is the source of the problem, I'd suggest thoroughly cleaning all the connections, as i think if moisture gets into them it interferes with the light transmission. Again, I'm far from an expert on f/o.

 

Okay, I just wanted to update you on the current issue. I performed diagnostics, and no messages related to the audio system popped up. I used male and female fiber optic loop bypass and tested modules. Initially, I tested the Bluetooth module under the passenger seat, but the flickering persisted. I also looped the CD changer and amplifier in the rear boot, but the screen kept flickering. Trying to loop the Bluetooth module and amplifier simultaneously resulted in the screen starting when I turn on the car, then turning off without flickering or restarting.

I observed that when looping two modules simultaneously, the fiber optic cable of the third module lost signal, and the blinking red light disappeared. I'm unsure if the red light should be blinking, as I noticed the light coming out of the fiber optic cable blinks. Additionally, I found a blown 30A fuse in the rear boot, which I replaced, but the flickering persisted. Unfortunately, I didn't have a second female fiber optic loop bypass to try looping the Bluetooth module, CD changer, and amplifier simultaneously.

If anyone has advice or has encountered a similar issue before, I would appreciate any help.

 

Did you try bypassing the Portable audio interface (Aux Audio Connectivity / module) under the seat, next to the Bluetooth module?

 

Copied from another forum....
​​​​​​Bluetooth module not working / won’t connect to phone, Bluetooth won’t search. Previous advice is
to get a new module, however before doing that try to re-register the existing one:
- Check the fuse in F14 and F15 in the boot to the right-hand side, clean the contacts if there’s any
corrosion from water ingress due to boot slam vent issue widely covered
- In order for the existing Bluetooth module to be re-registered, you will need to undo the LH front
seat (10mm socket set will do)
- Lift seat back and disconnect the 3 largest adapters - don’t tug them, make sure to lift or press the
secure tags. The red tag flips.
- Pull up carpet to reveal Bluetooth module
- Turn on ignition, and have radio on
- Pull back the black flap on the Bluetooth power connector (brown and black wires) pull the black
flap towards the door as pictured, unplug the connector.
- Allow the system to power cycle 5 times (searching for module)
- With engine on and radio still cycling, re-connect the Bluetooth module
- Wait for Jaguar logo to stay solid - repeat unplugging procedure until successful
- Engine off
- Engine on, Bluetooth should work again

A sign your Bluetooth module de-registered is unexplained head unit reboots. The only way to re-
register after so many reboots is to disconnect and reconnect with the radio on, otherwise your

Bluetooth module remains in a sleep mode