Hey Guys,

My traction light came on and has been on for months now - Jag have quoted $400 to fix the problem but I have seen companies on Ebay charging a lot less to do the fix - all you have to do is send the part, they do the fix and return it. Has anyone had the same problems?

Other topic - car sort of pulls to the right and the steering wheel shudders around 60 mph then goes away around 70-75.

Cheers

Steve

2001 XJR - 96k

 

I used to get this warning on and off, I started off by cleaning the electrical connections at the ABS module. The warning hasn't come back in the last 3 months, just used electrical contact cleaner.
Might be worth a try before spending big money on replacement parts?
Stewart

 

pulling to the right could be either uneven tire pressures, or bad alignment. These cars are very sensitive to off-spec alignments, and would benefit you to find a shop that is VERY knowledgeable of jaguars.

shuddering at 60 most likely is a wheel/tire combo that is out of balance, or has a slight bent rim. Ask your tire guy to look at both fronts (since the steering wheel shakes) for out of round or damage. If he has a 'road force' balance machine, these are the very best tools for balancing our wheel/tire combos. Mine was out of balance by 1/4 ounce, and I felt it at 70mph, anything below that was super smooth.

 

I had the same problem with my 1998 xj8. It happen when i braked hard one day it stayed off and on for 2 weeks. Can someone help?

 

I troubleshot this on my 99 xjr. Understand that I am not a mechanic. First, clean all the wheel sensors. Easy to do, and free. If the light does not go out, it is likely the computer that controls the ABS. I removed mine and sent it to a company in MA, who fixed it for about $150 bucks and mailed it back to me. I reinstalled it and it works great. You can't really drive the car when the unit is out because it supplies speed information to the transmission and the car won't shift when the unit is out. I found the rebuild company on EBAY. I thought I did a post on this, but I can not find it now.....

 

There is also the possibility that the two issues are connected. Wheel bearing going bad can cause the wheel shudder/pull and also an erratic signal to the wheel sensor, causing the ABS/Trac Control message. Might investigate that as a possibility while your cleaning the sensors. Can get shop to pull codes and see if they point to the module or one of the wheel sensors as the likely culprit.

 

When I say codes, I mean chassis codes, not the P-codes posted everywhere. Most shops will be able to pull them, but the free scan at AutoZone may not. Just FYI.

 

Excellent post on the subject at:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=3853

 

This is a well known problem. There are other references in the archives. The motor power connector soldered on the ABS module main circuit board cracks its connections , then intermittently - progressing to frequently- gives a motor open circuit fault readable by either the dealer or autoenginuity type software. Fix is to buy black dog, or ebay rebuild for about a C note OR cut the module apart on the seam with a hacksaw and box cutter knife, then resolder it and glue/seal it back together.

 

FYI on the ABS Repair; I found this on the repair but you may need to create a login http://forums.jag-lovers.org/av.php?1216605k87 I hope this helps.

 

had the same problem on my 98 VDP. the traction failure waring was intermittent at first for a few months then it stayed-on along with the abs light. read on this board regarding the abs motor pump problems. when i had my fuel tank seal replaced the shop confirmed that it was the abs motor pump. they said that to replace and install the part would be about $1300. No way...

i kept monitoring ebay for the abs motor pump. for the longest time i did not see my part number ending in BB. i wasn't sure if the other motor pumps ending in AA, AC, AD were compatible. After about 3 months i came across my exact part and i bought the whole unit (pump motor and control module) for 160. total job took about an hour because i had to bleed the lines on all four tires.

all is great with the replacement. no more abs warning light and traction failure message.

 

thanks for the addition alckc!

 

Well, only had my jag a week, and your info all ready saved me a bundle!
The link to the photos and step by step were perfect. I sent them some money all ready!
The only thing I would add is that you may see a little hydraulic fluid when you take off the bolts but it won't run or spill so don't freak out.

Also getting that window washer "L" back on was probably the hardest part!
I used a 4mm socket instead of the propper "star" socketl.

When I first started the car the amber warning was gone, but the ABS yellow light was still on. By the time I got to the end of the block it was off! YAH!!!
Thanks so much for those who posted info and photos, it was a great help!

 

I'm sure there will others for you undergo, don't go far. Did you see the FAQ thread in the XK8-xkr subforum? It has a TON of good links and threads with many good DIY projects on the common mechanical repairs and replacements.

 

I'll have to keep an eye on this thread and follow the links...
Today, in the rain, my '98 XJ8L had given me these warnings even before I started it. The ABS and the traction control failure notice came on and stayed on for the trip I made across town.
When I got back into the car after doing the errands for half hour and restarted, all warnings were gone. Makes me wonder if it is related to moisture in this car.