A couple weeks ago I was driving and got a "charging system fault," then all the warning lights came on and the car just died in the middle of the road. Got it towed in and the shop (a chain not a jaguar specialist shop) put in a new alternator.

About a week later the same fault came back. I took it back, they tested everything and said it was fine, but then it popped up again on my way home. Now they want to put in another alternator and have me drive it around to see if it returns — and honestly I'm losing a bit of confidence that they know what's going on.

Has anyone run into something like this, where the charging fault keeps coming back even after a new alternator? Any idea what it could be, or what I should be asking them to look at? (Also been getting a low coolant warning now and then even though the coolant's full, in case that's connected.)

 

Glad to see you using the forum! Please tell us what car you have. Year, model, engine and miles. Hard to give advice otherwise.

Yes we have many threads on this. I can't explain it but we see cars with new alternators giving errors yet there is nothing wrong with the alternator.
What the current recommendation is since we have so many that have run into this is to get the OEM one rebuilt. Probably not helping you as you did not do the work. The shop most likely won't have the old one either.

Is this a import shop or a general repair place? Might be better to look for an independent with JLR experience if there is one local to you.

Your new but cooling issues and plastic parts are the number 1 problem with late model JLR products. So do look into changing all that bad plastic out BEFORE you get stranded somewhere. Keep a sharp eye on coolant levels and if there is ANY indication of over heating shut the car off NOW! Way to many disasters because people drive home slowly or to the next exit. These are all Aluminum engines and will not survive overheating like the older all iron engines can.

Do some searches on the forum to help with your problems. It's all in here!
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Its a 2013 jaguar xj awd 3.0 supercharged with about 118,000 miles., I took it to a chain shop (firestone) and they put in an aftermarket part.

What should I tell them when I take it back there (I have a warranty with them) or is this something that requires a specialist shop? Any advice would be great!

Also is the charging system fault something I should be overly concerned about, will it cause the car to completely fail on me (like it did before)?

 

Yes take it back and see what they say. The problem is they will remove the alternator and bench test it and it will be working. This is a Jaguar issue of some kind and is well known. What brand was the aftermarket unit? You can try another one since it's under warranty. If you can't find your old OEM one I would start looking at used ones. Even if it needs rebuilding it will be OEM.

I don't think another shop can find anything but who knows until they try.

It won't shut the car down if that's what you mean? But what is happening to your battery? It may or may not be charging which could affect if the car starts or not. I run a USB digital volt meter in the cigarette lighter to keep on top of the car. These are cheap and I can see what the car's resting voltage is before I start it.

Post back what you find out.
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They have to reset the bsm