Computer Problems with XJ8
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
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From: Hurst, Texas
Computer Problems with XJ8
I love my 04 XJ8 but I ma at my wits end. A few months ago my battery went out and I replaced it. Since then every 2 or 3 weeks my dashboard lights up and it throws Gearbox Fault, ABS Fault, Steering Fault, Air Suspension Fault, and the dash instruments stop working. I take it to my mechanic and he clears the codes, and purges all faults and for a few weeks it is fine. I am hoping this fine group can help me. I do not mind investing in replacing the computer if that would solve the issue, but my confidence it will is very low.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 121,045
Likes: 6,652
From: PHX some of the time
Welcome to the forum,
I've moved your thread to the tech section where you will get a better response.
Don't forget your intro in the new members section.
I've moved your thread to the tech section where you will get a better response.
Don't forget your intro in the new members section.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 171
Likes: 60
From: Oklahoma
Might as well rule out the simple stuff first.
.................................................. .............
Have the battery tested, brand new units off the shelf have been know to be defective, also confirm the installer thoroughly cleaned your cable ends. You can also try a hard reset, procedure is outlined on the interwebs.
Check your grounds (earth points). Start in the trunk near the battery. There was one in particular on our XJ that I found to be loose when I put the new battery in. Look online, there is a diagram of the rest of the grounding points so you can track each one down and check it....there are quite a few on these cars.
Next, check your voltage output from the charging system. Perhaps the car is draining the new battery down. The XJ8 just doesn't do well with anything but a healthy batt and charge system.
Last, has the engine bay gotten wet around the time of the trouble?
.................................................. .............
Have the battery tested, brand new units off the shelf have been know to be defective, also confirm the installer thoroughly cleaned your cable ends. You can also try a hard reset, procedure is outlined on the interwebs.
Check your grounds (earth points). Start in the trunk near the battery. There was one in particular on our XJ that I found to be loose when I put the new battery in. Look online, there is a diagram of the rest of the grounding points so you can track each one down and check it....there are quite a few on these cars.
Next, check your voltage output from the charging system. Perhaps the car is draining the new battery down. The XJ8 just doesn't do well with anything but a healthy batt and charge system.
Last, has the engine bay gotten wet around the time of the trouble?
Last edited by SaturnV; Jan 14, 2014 at 09:22 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: IE
I had the same issue and I eventually got to the bottom of it.
In my case it related to water from power washing, or heavy rain, etc. damaging the ECM over a long time period.
Check that the cars Pollen filter drainage plug is not blocked. If it is, and your car has the same design as an X350, it could have blocked up with water and overflowed into the ECM unit.
Corrosion can build up on the circuit board over time and when water gets in it becomes conductive.
No diagnostic software in the world will tell you that problem.
In my case it related to water from power washing, or heavy rain, etc. damaging the ECM over a long time period.
Check that the cars Pollen filter drainage plug is not blocked. If it is, and your car has the same design as an X350, it could have blocked up with water and overflowed into the ECM unit.
Corrosion can build up on the circuit board over time and when water gets in it becomes conductive.
No diagnostic software in the world will tell you that problem.
Last edited by ed1979; Jan 14, 2014 at 07:02 PM.
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