Hey Guys,
I just went to look a possible new Jaguar for myself, a 2001 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas. The seller said the engine light came on this morning, if I had known this earlier I would have brought my tester.

The car started up like a dream with no problems and ran fine in park. After switching it to Drive or Reverse, still with the brake applied the RPM would go down and the car stalled a few times. The dash also says the ABS is not working.

Anybody have any ideas? Is this car worth buying or will it be a money pit!

 

A very big question with little information.

Codes from the CEL would help on the mechanical side.

Miles (KM)?

Paint?

Interior?

All the functions of all the features in the Owner's Manual?

These cars can be wonderful or a money pit. My personal philosophy is that a 10 year, or older, Jaguar should only be owned by a hobby mechanic.

 

ABS problems are common. Many times, it just means that the sensors are dirty or the battery is a bit low. (easy fix) Or there is an electrical flaw in an underhood module (not so easy fix). But we need further info to help.

 

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the lack of information but it's all I have. The car is 2001 Jaguar XJ8 Vanden Plas with about 173,000 KM. It's black with beige leather interior.

I did a little research and found this regarding somebody elses XJ8:
"When the car is cold and I go to reverse, the engine goes in failsafe mode due to ABS/traction control failure."

I can't verify that this will be the same code on this Jaguar but other Jaguar's with the same Traction/ABS issues display error code: P1643 which translates to "CAN Link Engine Control Module/Transmission Control Module"

Also the car I'm interested in can't currently be driven because the rear wheel locked up on the owner & the mobile mechanics that came out took it off and said the rear brake needed doing? I would think whatever the issue is with the rear wheel would be what is causing the ABS/Traction issue which could in turn be causing the stalling?

What do you guys think?

He's asking $3,495 for the car...

 

Again I can't verify that the engine code on this black Jaguar is P1643 but similar Jaguars have displayed that error code with the ABS text on the dash.

 

I'm a little puzzled by the linking of ABS/traction control with the engine in failsafe mode. I would think these would not have anything to do with one another. When I get the ABS/ASC light on in my VDP, it just means I don't have that functionality, and the car goes merrily down the road without a hiccup.

I wonder if some other fault is putting the car in failsafe mode....

 

and what's with the locked brake? Any mobile mechanic should have gottwen it unlockedwhile he was diagnosing it.

 

Sorry , I can not be any of help and I could not help but say this is a superb gorgeous car

 

The rear brake issue, it could be a return spring pin that's come adrift, leaves the shoe to catch the inside of the drum, means the handbrake is permanently on, it's a ten minute job to replace the pin.
Warning lights need the code pulling, there could be a weak battery giving the ABS/TRAC fault....

If you can use tools and don't mind getting stuck in, buy the car, if your not that way inclined, buy something else! Simple.

 

Man that car is sexy! What are those things between each pair of headlights?

 

Those are headlight washers. Not sold in US I believe. But wish I could find a set for my VDP!

 

I knew that sounded familiar! I saw the ad last week, and was wishing I had the cash. It's a steal for the car, assuming it can be fixed easily.

In fact, I was trolling Craigslist this morning to see if the ad was still there. Did you buy it?

EDIT: Apparently he didn't, it's back on Craigslist this morning ;http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...598625941.html

 

Hey avt007,
So I did end up buying the car. It was a bit of a risk since I couldn't test drive it before buying. Turns out the brakes are perfectly fine and it was a rear wheel hub which was the issue. All engine codes, ABS & traction lights are all off now. I replaced the wheel hub for $870 only to find out the transmission now replacing .

 

Geez, sorry about your luck. It sure is pretty, though!