Searched and didnt find an answer - Did all XJs come with CATs connectors even if the car was not so equipped from the factory? Asking because my 98 XJR has the connectors zip-tied in the fender well and the car does not have CATs suspension currently. Shocks/mounts look original, but wondering if it was swapped at some point. No lights on so either all cars came with the connector or mine was swapped and they figured out how to turn the light off. I tried looking at some engine bay photos and couldn't really tell if the connector was there on non-CATs equipped cars.

 

There are many forum members who don't find the CATs much of an improvement. Then there are a few that staunchly defend them.
In the end it depends upon your personal driving ambitions. If the car has the CATS control module disconnected in the trunk, then
it is a fairly safe assumption the car came so equipped. If they failed, some owners opted for the regular shocks, due to expense.

 

I had CATs on my former 2003 XJR and liked it, even spent the money to replace the shocks with the proper CATs shocks when the originals wore out. I'm not necessarily looking to add it to this car, just curious if it was deleted or they all have the connectors in the harness. I'll check the trunk for the module.

 

I'm interested in the answer to this too. My '98 has exactly the same configuration. During the restoration process, I discovered that the existing shocks were non-CATS, but the CATS wiring was (and still is) present in the engine compartment like yours. I did not know (and still don't) whether it was supposed to have CATS shocks but someone replaced them and disabled the warning light. The car was over 15 years old when I got it and it had about 150k miles on it. The history of the car was largely unknown, so anything is possible. I replaced the old non-CATS shocks with new non-CATS shocks, and that's how I've been driving it ever since. I have never seen a warning light from the instrument cluster, so I have always assumed that the wiring was present on all cars, and only enabled by original option.

A related question: if CATS was enabled, would the rear shocks be part of the system, or only the fronts? I do not recall seeing any wiring when I replaced the rear shocks at the time.

 

All 4 cats shocks will firm up once the sport mode button is activated. The rears should have a harness but it’s possible it’s tucked out of the way. My 98’ XJR originally had cats on it but when the PO had it and it was time to replace them, KYB’s went in and the cats ECU went away. I regret doing that. The CATS ECU is located in the passenger side kick panel.

 

Glad I'm not the only one wondering! Yes, the rears are electronic as well on CATs cars, replaced the CATs shocks on my old 2003 and they all had connections.

I was just wondering because my car is pretty low mileage and the shocks look original (and they are definitley non-CATs). Shock mounts are definitley original (being replaced as we speak) and I know the CATs system has specific shock mounts. I tend to think the connectors are on all cars whether equipped or not, just curious if anyone can confirm this.

@Addicted2boost - Pretty sure the Sport button has nothing to do with the CATs system, that button only controls transmission fuction. The CATs system uses accelerometers to monitor roll & pitch of the body and makes adjustments.

 

If the wiring is present, does that mean the car originally had CATS? If the answer is yes: in my case and 87LC2's case, would that likely mean that the CATS ECU has been removed, thus disabling the system, and non-CATS shocks were installed?

 

Aquifer, the only way to know for sure if your car originally came with CATS is to look at the VCATS label in the trunk. My 98’ (now my daughters car) didn’t list CATS on the VCATS label. I’ll have a look at hers this weekend when she’s home. I have a feeling they were added on separate from the factory but of course I can’t be for certain if it was port or dealership installed.

87LC2, I agree to an extent with what you say. The reason I say that the sport mode button firms up the CATS is because when I was at the Jag shop where I worked at, we had an Autologic to communicate with these cars. I remember this one specific XJR-100 and diagnosing the CATS system. In the data list of the CATS ECU it listed suspension status and I remember the sport mode switch was listed as either enabled or disabled. I also remember seeing ‘firm or normal’ listed for the shocks as well.

 

Interesting, you learn something new every day! I never remember a difference in my 03, but that was a while ago so who knows. I just remember reading on here a while back that the sport button was not involved with the CATs system.

As far as the "VCATs" label in the trunk, where would one find this?

 

87LC2, Remove the spare tire cover and lift up the left side carpet. It’s a large rectangular white sticker with all your information.

 

Not trying to hijack the thread, I really think this question will help both of us understand if our cars have CATS or not. Here is a picture of mine. Which, if any, of these lines would indicate CATS? And 87LC2, I recommend taking a picture of your VCATS label so you don’t have to remove the spare tire each time! I’ve referred to mine many times over the years for various reasons related to problem solving.

 

Aquifer, even though your not the OP, I don’t think your hijacking this thread at all.


This is from my 03’ SV8. The notable difference from our labels is on yours the ‘ADM’ (Adaptive Dampening Module) is not listed.

 

Hey, what's with hijacking my thread? Just kidding I was out al day today, I'll have a look tomorrow at my label.