Hi i'm a newbee here hope i can get some help. I just bought a 2000 XJ8 vanden plas. I bought it with the motor removed and only limited info. Said they couldn;t get it to run so they were going to replace it. Not the sharpest tools in the drawer. LOL any how i have replaced the engine and have it running I assume that maybe it was "washed down" and lost compresion when it was starting. When i bought tha car the owner said that the mecs. were confused by the valet system. Any way now the engine purrs like a kitten except it say that its in limp home mode. I don't have coolent in it yet since they broke and cute some lines that i am currently trying to locate. Also it seems to be stuck in valet mode.... seats, trunk, radio, nothing will opperate. i have disconected the battery, to no avail.will the low coolant cause it to stick in valet mode?, or do i have deeper troubles. Is there a sorce where i can find sceematics of the valet system so i can trouble shoot it. Is there a modual or is it part of the main computor system. Sorry for the long post!

 

Hi bricklin
Welcome to the forum.

First thing that you should do is get the diagnostic codes read since your Jaguar is in limp mode. Once you know what DTC codes have been set, forum members will be then able to help you.

A lot of the other issues you mention (valet mode, trunk, radio, seats) might be caused by the battery not putting out enough voltage.

Sometimes a new battery solves those issues.

If you do not have a diagnostic code scanner (code reader), my advice is to buy a cheap one.

Since your Jag is in limp mode, I would not advise driving it because it might cause further damage.

If your car was not in limp mode, you could go to your local Autozone store and they will do a free scan with a diagnostic code reader.

The results of the scan will generate a list of the codes it found and the possible repair issues and remedies.

Jim Lombardi

 

With the battery attached, try unlocking the driver's door with the black key - that turns off valet mode on my VDP.