Hey guys, I just purchased a used 97 XJ6. It has a number of electrical issues (that I knew about before purchase), but before I dig into them, I was wondering if anyone knew if any of these things could be related.

Issues:

• Trip computer does not work (I only see the odometer number and cannot get it to do anything else)
• Radio is aftermarket
• Key fobs do not work (light up but don't do anything to the car)
  • Also, door locks don't work from inside either (when I press the lock button there is a buzz in the ceiling but nothing else happens)
• Sunroof doesn't open
• Trunk won't open with either buttons (prev owner added aftermarket switch in console to open it)
• There is an electrical device that sits in front of the ABS pump in the engine bay which is just missing (I know because there are connectors sitting by it)
• Previous owner said there is a mild parasitic drain (~3 day to dead)

The previous owner gave me a couple hints. He mentioned they learned after installing the radio that the factory radio "did other things....like to security or something".

He also said that he called Jaguar for the relay he needed to fix the door locks but they wouldn't sell it to him, and that it would be located in the overhead console (which is currently cockeyed and not fully installed).

Do any of these issues ring bells for any of you experts out there? What else did the factory radio do???

 

To start chipping away at your issues... most of which are independent of each other...

The factory radio played music, and didn't even do a very good job of it. Not much else. The radio isn't tied in with the security system or door locks. It doesn't even have a vehicle code in the USA. You are better off with aftermarket... as long as the wiring wasn't hacked up!!

There is no door lock relay in the overhead console. There is a sunroof control module there. Most sunroofs have failed by now. Not because of the module, but because of mechanical issues. The rails and the old plastic parts can break and get stuck. Usually not a priority repair.

The "missing" item in front of the abs unit is where a traction control motor would reside, if the car was so equipped. Most XJ6 were not, but the wiring and connectors are present in all cars. You will find other unused connectors too.

The trunk electric operation is related to the security system and door locks. Unfortunately, the system can be difficult to restore, it is complicated. Usually the problems lie deeper than a bad relay. But there is a huge knowledge base here.

Have you tried programming the remotes to the car? Instructions are in the "stickies" section. The remotes need two CR2016 batteries each.

"3 days to dead" means parasitic drain or a weak, old battery. These cars need strong ones and numerous electrical problems can be caused by weak ones.

Good luck, let us know what you find out.

 

Thanks so much for your responses! In order:

Radio...okay I won't worry too much about it right now. I wanted the factory radio for an original look but wow I see none of them for sale for these cars.

I also won't make a big deal about the sunroof. I wonder why the previous owner thought he had to tear down the console?!

It is good to know about the "missing" device in front of the ABS unit. That was really bugging me. I can't believe the wiring is just sitting there. I noticed there is no "traction control" button in the interior so I don't think my car came with it. But I also noticed the throttle cable is rubbing on the top of the wiper motor so I wonder if it is routed wrong.

Too bad the trunk system is complicated, I still want to fix it. But it sounds like I should try and fix the door locks first.

I will look into programming the remotes. I think I will tackle the door locks issue first.

Good thing to know you need strong batteries for these cars. The previous owner installed a tiny one and modified the battery tray for it to fit. I need to take care of this too :/

 

Hi Rustbelter,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums! It's great to have you with us.

You can download the wiring schematics for your car at the link below. The information on the pages at the front of the manual will help you make the most of the schematics because they explain symbols, wire color codes, control module locations, ground point locations, etc.

Jaguar X300 Electrical Guide 1997

I also echo what others have said about your battery. Jaguars like strong, healthy batteries and weak ones can cause all manner of difficult-to-diagnose gremlins.

Cheers,

Don

 

Have you pushed the turn signal stalk inward towards the steering wheel to see your trip computer info? No one would ever figure out that Jaguar trick by themselves, except for reading it in the manual!

Did you figure out that the roof console is only two tabs up front and one locking peg at the rear under the eyeglass holder? Not sure what to do if that plastic peg has disappeared, but I'm pretty sure you can buy them online.

Do the doors lock and unlock properly when you use the key in the driver's door? Does the alarm chirp upon lock and unlock? If so, that would be good news.

Lastly for tonight, try opening the trunk with the key (the black one). Don't force it too much. The mechanicals often get stuck from lack of use. Freeing it up now (lube spray might work) will allow you access if the questionable trunk latch electrics ever fail.

If you dive in and get involved, you'll find that most troubles are more about a time investment than great expenses. Probably a lot like your other cars!

Jeep Cherokee "XJ" LOL

 

In order...

NO, I have not pushed the turn signal stalk inward. I should have read my manual! I will try that later.

The doors do not lock or unlock from any button, neither does the horn chirp. I tried manually locking one door to test "unlock" and then manually unlocking door to test "lock" but the system appears to be completely electrically dead. When I pressed the lock/unlock button next to the clock I was hearing a buzzing in the console. Yesterday I dropped the console down and it was the sunroof motor that was buzzing. I reconnected a few things that were unplugged and the sunroof then opened to the "vent" position, and now it is stuck there *face palm*. I also found that the SRCM module was stuffed into the headliner. Now I know from another post I stumbled upon that the location and fitment of this module is critical. I found document 13-34 and 13-39 which tells more about how to install and uninstall the module without damaging it. Later I will look at the module to see if it is damaged. I was unable to close the sunroof again but turning the manual key in the motor drive. I am worried it is mechanically jammed. I need to look at it closer this afternoon. I am still not 100% sure why the "lock/unlock" button was activating the sunroof motor (does anyone know if this button automatically closes the sunroof?).

I can get into the trunk using the key. The electric latch works great via an aftermarket button added to the center console. The factory trunk release buttons (both) do not work. Something must have gone wrong with that circuit and they bypassed it with this aftermarket button. The trunk is now a lower priority now that the sunroof is stuck open haha. You warned me not to worry about fixing the sunroof and I don't want it to be fixed I just want it to be closed and I want the motor to shut up. Once I get it closed I might just unplug the motor and leave it from there. But if it is something as simple as a bad motor then I'm all about getting it working again (I have time).

I didn't realize until I wrote my signature that I own two XJ's now XD funny...

 

PHEW, I was able to close the sunroof. When I got the motor lined up right I was able to use a screw drive to open and close the sunroof with no issues. There don't seem to be any issues with the mechanical aspect of it, I went to full motor travel in both directions. All I need to do is align the SRCM and test it, BUT when I look at the 13-34 TSB on how to synchronize it I am confused. It seems that I need to remove the roof trim panels in order to actually see the part it wants me to measure, do I really need to do that?!

 

To answer my own question...YES, you need to remove one of the roof panels in order to see the parts you need to see to get the SRCM synchronized. Unfortunately I also found plastic parts that were broken just like many other people on this forum. So for now I'm just going to leave it.