Just bought this car and went into it knowing a few things needed to be fixed (hoses, bushing, etc.). There was also the dreaded ABS/Trac light which I've seen posted about in numerous places in the forum. The garage that has done maintenance on the car for the past 12 years hooked it up to their diagnostics and couldn't get a good read, so they took it to a neighboring shop that specializes in exotic cars and they couldn't get a good read either.

Apparently, there was some kind of change in the diagnostic equipment that resulted in the current equipment not giving a good read on cars in the 96-97 model years. Is that possible?

They've cleaned the sensors on all four wheels and that didn't solve the issue. They suggested taking it to the Jaguar dealership. No charge for the work that they did for the diagnostics, so I'm not out anything.

I'm not mechanically inclined so I guess the question is, do i take it to the dealership? Do I just go with it and drive with the light on (after all, the car is in Palm Springs...I'm not driving it on ice, or anything). Is there some simple fix that I haven't picked up on in the forums that were previously posted?

I kinda feel like this is no big deal and just go with it, but would be interested in what others think...especially if you've been in the same boat.

 

You might try removing and then reseating the big harness connector to the ABS control module. This has 'fixed' (a euphemism in this case, perhaps) the problem on my car a couple times...and others as well. This seems to be a fiddle factor with either the connector contact pins or, more likely, weak solder joints on the internal circuit board are jiggled back into continuity when fussing with the connector.

The module can be removed and sent out for repair. 'Modulemasters' is one name that comes up often.

Cheers
DD

 

Hey there, I just (like yesterday) fixed mine using Module Repair off eBay.
Same exact symptoms as yours. We drove it for some time, about 8 months with the light on. It made me a little crazy though. Their turn around was fantastic, mailed it in Saturday they got it Monday I had it back on Wednesday. I have been driving the car all day today with no issues. Remember this also controls the traction control so if your pulling out of a gravel or sandy parking lot AKA golf course it will prevent tire spin as well.


My .02

 

Hey,

the same at my XJ12.
Only the Jaguar dealership can read the full OBD II diagnostics - they've got the special Jaguar software, the "normal" garage gets only the "P"-codes.
But even the reading at the dealership was not that helpful: none of the displayed codes was true (C1145 and C1148: wheel speed sensor RH front, C1095: anti lock brake modulator).
The truth of the matter were weak solder joints at the control module. They knew this problem, removed the module and sent it out for repair. Got my cat back on Thursday and everything works fine.

Cheers
Harald

 

Does anyone remember the Module repair service folks on US ebay they used? There's a few different outfits on there, would rather use a proven one for my module.
Assuming modulemasters is the main one? Thanks

 

On the ABS module connector pin 20 is the brake switch needed for the system

There are 2 brake switches in one package with 1 dedicated to the brake lights and the other to the other systems like ABS , traction control , cruise control disengage

There is an upgraded brake switch / package

The ABS module will not reset for the light until 12.5 MPH and will not reappear until 3 faults logged

 

Oliver why not re-solder the power connections in the module, or have you tried that already? It is the #1 cause of the ABS light and the C1095 code. I wasn't sure it would work for me like it had for others, but it did! Another free fix too.

 

Thanks, did you did that successfully? I've got an intermittent idiot light problem, haven't taken the module out and cleaned all the connections yet as a first step....

 

Second step ( in my opinion ) is to put a meter on the 4 sensors at the ABS module connector

They should read as a 2 wire pair about the same 1300 ohms resistance as a basic non - spinning reading , and about 1 volt AC as you spin the tire in the car fwd direction

The sensor position wire pairs in the above pic are ;

Green / Right Rear tire

Orange / Left Rear tire

Red / Right Front tire

Blue / Left Front tire

Saves some bucks and the effort of removing ABS module

 

I was able to read the C1095 code from my Foxwell scanner. So I looked up the repair in the X300 section and found out it was not only easy, but it solved the problem. I have not seen the ABS light in 3 or 4 years! Touch burl walnut....

You might have heard it requires the entire ABS assembly to be bent upwards at an angle, all pipes still attached, in order to reach the screws under the unit to remove the module. That is a bit scary, but many have done it successfully. No need to disconnect any brake lines.