The dreaded limp home mode...again
O-ring
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: San Bernardino, CA
Fixing the limp mode problem
I do realize that this has been addressed over and over, but unfortunately it is not one of those things that resolves in a straight forward manner, like "Oh, this is it, this one thing will take care of this; we're done". No, unfortunately nope.
For a while by now I have been living with the infamous XJR engine problems that throw the system into “limp home” mode out of the clear sky. This has repeated several times during the last year, or so. It may go fine for a week or two and then, when I’m beginning to trust it (and drive farther away…) it again fails and in spite of all the work and expense it has generated. So, the car just sits there while the others cars get the drive (the XJS and the Z3). I basically can no longer trust it for anything longer than just a few miles, otherwise I’m facing the dreaded limp home mode for miles.
· ASCnot available
· Tracknot available
· Failsafe engine mode
... and more
Below is a summary of what has been done in regards to this problem:
ITEM ITEM STATUS
· ABSModule ………………………………….Rebuilt by British Eurotech
· Throttlebody Assembly …………………….Replaced by British Eurotech
· EngineECU (Used) .…………………….….Replaced by British Eurotech
· Brake switch ………………………..………Replaced by British Eurotech
· Wheelspeed sensor(s) …………………….Cleaned and inspected all four sensors by owner, in spring of 2014
· Borderline low battery charge ……………..Fully aware of this issue, the owner keeps the battery fully charged 24/7
Also, I’m sure that the shop is aware of all the potentially suspect power wiring connections and, after all this work, the shop must’ve included some serious inspection.
The hard reality is that, by now, this carries a nasty cost in receipts, yet I still cannot trust the car. The question is, looking at above list of what has already been spent on, what else is there to replace (i.e. spend money on), other than changing again what’s already been changed? I’m not looking forward to shelling out more of this kind of money. Jeez, just the other day I responded to one of those offers for “Extended Warranty on a used car”, but when I revealed that the car in question happened to be an XJR they said “we don’t cover XJR’s”...hmm, I wonder why.
So, it’s only obvious that the idea of getting rid of the car is growing in popularity yet, I otherwise love this car and totally wish that I could say “this problem is now a thing of the past”. Thing is, if I sold it, what am I going to tell the new owner, and, if I do say something, is the car going to sell at all? and if it does, will I get more than $3,000.00 for it? (Jeez, just the ICE alone in this car is worth much more than that, see gallery).
I realize that there’s plenty of Forum writing on this subject. I only want to know if anybody here may have a different angle on this overall picture, be it the failure issue itself, or the disposal of the car issue, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
For a while by now I have been living with the infamous XJR engine problems that throw the system into “limp home” mode out of the clear sky. This has repeated several times during the last year, or so. It may go fine for a week or two and then, when I’m beginning to trust it (and drive farther away…) it again fails and in spite of all the work and expense it has generated. So, the car just sits there while the others cars get the drive (the XJS and the Z3). I basically can no longer trust it for anything longer than just a few miles, otherwise I’m facing the dreaded limp home mode for miles.
· ASCnot available
· Tracknot available
· Failsafe engine mode
... and more
Below is a summary of what has been done in regards to this problem:
ITEM ITEM STATUS
· ABSModule ………………………………….Rebuilt by British Eurotech
· Throttlebody Assembly …………………….Replaced by British Eurotech
· EngineECU (Used) .…………………….….Replaced by British Eurotech
· Brake switch ………………………..………Replaced by British Eurotech
· Wheelspeed sensor(s) …………………….Cleaned and inspected all four sensors by owner, in spring of 2014
· Borderline low battery charge ……………..Fully aware of this issue, the owner keeps the battery fully charged 24/7
Also, I’m sure that the shop is aware of all the potentially suspect power wiring connections and, after all this work, the shop must’ve included some serious inspection.
The hard reality is that, by now, this carries a nasty cost in receipts, yet I still cannot trust the car. The question is, looking at above list of what has already been spent on, what else is there to replace (i.e. spend money on), other than changing again what’s already been changed? I’m not looking forward to shelling out more of this kind of money. Jeez, just the other day I responded to one of those offers for “Extended Warranty on a used car”, but when I revealed that the car in question happened to be an XJR they said “we don’t cover XJR’s”...hmm, I wonder why.
So, it’s only obvious that the idea of getting rid of the car is growing in popularity yet, I otherwise love this car and totally wish that I could say “this problem is now a thing of the past”. Thing is, if I sold it, what am I going to tell the new owner, and, if I do say something, is the car going to sell at all? and if it does, will I get more than $3,000.00 for it? (Jeez, just the ICE alone in this car is worth much more than that, see gallery).
I realize that there’s plenty of Forum writing on this subject. I only want to know if anybody here may have a different angle on this overall picture, be it the failure issue itself, or the disposal of the car issue, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
I also had three bad coils. It’s all fixed now
Big 4.2 liter 32 valve overhead variable timing cam v8 and running like a dream!!
fixed
Patrick
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Valve cover leak
I do realize that this has been addressed over and over, but unfortunately it is not one of those things that resolves in a straight forward manner, like "Oh, this is it, this one thing will take care of this; we're done". No, unfortunately nope.
For a while by now I have been living with the infamous XJR engine problems that throw the system into “limp home” mode out of the clear sky. This has repeated several times during the last year, or so. It may go fine for a week or two and then, when I’m beginning to trust it (and drive farther away…) it again fails and in spite of all the work and expense it has generated. So, the car just sits there while the others cars get the drive (the XJS and the Z3). I basically can no longer trust it for anything longer than just a few miles, otherwise I’m facing the dreaded limp home mode for miles.
· ASCnot available
· Tracknot available
· Failsafe engine mode
... and more
Below is a summary of what has been done in regards to this problem:
ITEM ITEM STATUS
· ABSModule ………………………………….Rebuilt by British Eurotech
· Throttlebody Assembly …………………….Replaced by British Eurotech
· EngineECU (Used) .…………………….….Replaced by British Eurotech
· Brake switch ………………………..………Replaced by British Eurotech
· Wheelspeed sensor(s) …………………….Cleaned and inspected all four sensors by owner, in spring of 2014
· Borderline low battery charge ……………..Fully aware of this issue, the owner keeps the battery fully charged 24/7
Also, I’m sure that the shop is aware of all the potentially suspect power wiring connections and, after all this work, the shop must’ve included some serious inspection.
The hard reality is that, by now, this carries a nasty cost in receipts, yet I still cannot trust the car. The question is, looking at above list of what has already been spent on, what else is there to replace (i.e. spend money on), other than changing again what’s already been changed? I’m not looking forward to shelling out more of this kind of money. Jeez, just the other day I responded to one of those offers for “Extended Warranty on a used car”, but when I revealed that the car in question happened to be an XJR they said “we don’t cover XJR’s”...hmm, I wonder why.
So, it’s only obvious that the idea of getting rid of the car is growing in popularity yet, I otherwise love this car and totally wish that I could say “this problem is now a thing of the past”. Thing is, if I sold it, what am I going to tell the new owner, and, if I do say something, is the car going to sell at all? and if it does, will I get more than $3,000.00 for it? (Jeez, just the ICE alone in this car is worth much more than that, see gallery).
I realize that there’s plenty of Forum writing on this subject. I only want to know if anybody here may have a different angle on this overall picture, be it the failure issue itself, or the disposal of the car issue, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
For a while by now I have been living with the infamous XJR engine problems that throw the system into “limp home” mode out of the clear sky. This has repeated several times during the last year, or so. It may go fine for a week or two and then, when I’m beginning to trust it (and drive farther away…) it again fails and in spite of all the work and expense it has generated. So, the car just sits there while the others cars get the drive (the XJS and the Z3). I basically can no longer trust it for anything longer than just a few miles, otherwise I’m facing the dreaded limp home mode for miles.
· ASCnot available
· Tracknot available
· Failsafe engine mode
... and more
Below is a summary of what has been done in regards to this problem:
ITEM ITEM STATUS
· ABSModule ………………………………….Rebuilt by British Eurotech
· Throttlebody Assembly …………………….Replaced by British Eurotech
· EngineECU (Used) .…………………….….Replaced by British Eurotech
· Brake switch ………………………..………Replaced by British Eurotech
· Wheelspeed sensor(s) …………………….Cleaned and inspected all four sensors by owner, in spring of 2014
· Borderline low battery charge ……………..Fully aware of this issue, the owner keeps the battery fully charged 24/7
Also, I’m sure that the shop is aware of all the potentially suspect power wiring connections and, after all this work, the shop must’ve included some serious inspection.
The hard reality is that, by now, this carries a nasty cost in receipts, yet I still cannot trust the car. The question is, looking at above list of what has already been spent on, what else is there to replace (i.e. spend money on), other than changing again what’s already been changed? I’m not looking forward to shelling out more of this kind of money. Jeez, just the other day I responded to one of those offers for “Extended Warranty on a used car”, but when I revealed that the car in question happened to be an XJR they said “we don’t cover XJR’s”...hmm, I wonder why.
So, it’s only obvious that the idea of getting rid of the car is growing in popularity yet, I otherwise love this car and totally wish that I could say “this problem is now a thing of the past”. Thing is, if I sold it, what am I going to tell the new owner, and, if I do say something, is the car going to sell at all? and if it does, will I get more than $3,000.00 for it? (Jeez, just the ICE alone in this car is worth much more than that, see gallery).
I realize that there’s plenty of Forum writing on this subject. I only want to know if anybody here may have a different angle on this overall picture, be it the failure issue itself, or the disposal of the car issue, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 221
Likes: 60
From: NC
I'm guessing it's the TB on my XJR as well. I used to have the same issues and also rebuilt the ABS module and replaced the ground straps and battery cables. That helped for a while (the car cranked a lot quicker). Then the limp home mode would come on after having cruise engaged for a few miles. I replaced the brake switch and all the rubber hosing for the cruise (it's a 99, has vacuum assist). This also worked for a while but limp home still happens from time to time, only when the cruise is on. No ABS warnings though. I usually just leave the cruise off.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: Ewell
Sadly I have just turned in my 99 V8 sovereign to a better place as I was hardly using it, and every year the MOT suggested creeping rust.
I had a broken headlamp glass, the AC packed in for the umpteenth time, the roofliner has fallen - and is pinned up with upholstery pins, and. the restricted performance light was forever coming on. Funnily enough I always found that if I ignored it for a few miles it went off and I could get the revs over 3000rpm, - if i ever needed it.
It sat in my garage for a while and then I found the battery was down to six volts, - evidenced also by the engine not turning over any longer.
I wonder, can it just be short journeys draining the battery that kids the tired old Jag brain into thinking that problems exist where they don't?
Yours looking for another classy Jag, Londonroader
I had a broken headlamp glass, the AC packed in for the umpteenth time, the roofliner has fallen - and is pinned up with upholstery pins, and. the restricted performance light was forever coming on. Funnily enough I always found that if I ignored it for a few miles it went off and I could get the revs over 3000rpm, - if i ever needed it.
It sat in my garage for a while and then I found the battery was down to six volts, - evidenced also by the engine not turning over any longer.
I wonder, can it just be short journeys draining the battery that kids the tired old Jag brain into thinking that problems exist where they don't?
Yours looking for another classy Jag, Londonroader
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I do realize that this has been addressed over and over, but unfortunately it is not one of those things that resolves in a straight forward manner, like "Oh, this is it, this one thing will take care of this; we're done". No, unfortunately nope.
For a while by now I have been living with the infamous XJR engine problems that throw the system into “limp home” mode out of the clear sky. This has repeated several times during the last year, or so. It may go fine for a week or two and then, when I’m beginning to trust it (and drive farther away…) it again fails and in spite of all the work and expense it has generated. So, the car just sits there while the others cars get the drive (the XJS and the Z3). I basically can no longer trust it for anything longer than just a few miles, otherwise I’m facing the dreaded limp home mode for miles.
· ASCnot available
· Tracknot available
· Failsafe engine mode
... and more
Below is a summary of what has been done in regards to this problem:
ITEM ITEM STATUS
· ABSModule ………………………………….Rebuilt by British Eurotech
· Throttlebody Assembly …………………….Replaced by British Eurotech
· EngineECU (Used) .…………………….….Replaced by British Eurotech
· Brake switch ………………………..………Replaced by British Eurotech
· Wheelspeed sensor(s) …………………….Cleaned and inspected all four sensors by owner, in spring of 2014
· Borderline low battery charge ……………..Fully aware of this issue, the owner keeps the battery fully charged 24/7
Also, I’m sure that the shop is aware of all the potentially suspect power wiring connections and, after all this work, the shop must’ve included some serious inspection.
The hard reality is that, by now, this carries a nasty cost in receipts, yet I still cannot trust the car. The question is, looking at above list of what has already been spent on, what else is there to replace (i.e. spend money on), other than changing again what’s already been changed? I’m not looking forward to shelling out more of this kind of money. Jeez, just the other day I responded to one of those offers for “Extended Warranty on a used car”, but when I revealed that the car in question happened to be an XJR they said “we don’t cover XJR’s”...hmm, I wonder why.
So, it’s only obvious that the idea of getting rid of the car is growing in popularity yet, I otherwise love this car and totally wish that I could say “this problem is now a thing of the past”. Thing is, if I sold it, what am I going to tell the new owner, and, if I do say something, is the car going to sell at all? and if it does, will I get more than $3,000.00 for it? (Jeez, just the ICE alone in this car is worth much more than that, see gallery).
I realize that there’s plenty of Forum writing on this subject. I only want to know if anybody here may have a different angle on this overall picture, be it the failure issue itself, or the disposal of the car issue, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
For a while by now I have been living with the infamous XJR engine problems that throw the system into “limp home” mode out of the clear sky. This has repeated several times during the last year, or so. It may go fine for a week or two and then, when I’m beginning to trust it (and drive farther away…) it again fails and in spite of all the work and expense it has generated. So, the car just sits there while the others cars get the drive (the XJS and the Z3). I basically can no longer trust it for anything longer than just a few miles, otherwise I’m facing the dreaded limp home mode for miles.
· ASCnot available
· Tracknot available
· Failsafe engine mode
... and more
Below is a summary of what has been done in regards to this problem:
ITEM ITEM STATUS
· ABSModule ………………………………….Rebuilt by British Eurotech
· Throttlebody Assembly …………………….Replaced by British Eurotech
· EngineECU (Used) .…………………….….Replaced by British Eurotech
· Brake switch ………………………..………Replaced by British Eurotech
· Wheelspeed sensor(s) …………………….Cleaned and inspected all four sensors by owner, in spring of 2014
· Borderline low battery charge ……………..Fully aware of this issue, the owner keeps the battery fully charged 24/7
Also, I’m sure that the shop is aware of all the potentially suspect power wiring connections and, after all this work, the shop must’ve included some serious inspection.
The hard reality is that, by now, this carries a nasty cost in receipts, yet I still cannot trust the car. The question is, looking at above list of what has already been spent on, what else is there to replace (i.e. spend money on), other than changing again what’s already been changed? I’m not looking forward to shelling out more of this kind of money. Jeez, just the other day I responded to one of those offers for “Extended Warranty on a used car”, but when I revealed that the car in question happened to be an XJR they said “we don’t cover XJR’s”...hmm, I wonder why.
So, it’s only obvious that the idea of getting rid of the car is growing in popularity yet, I otherwise love this car and totally wish that I could say “this problem is now a thing of the past”. Thing is, if I sold it, what am I going to tell the new owner, and, if I do say something, is the car going to sell at all? and if it does, will I get more than $3,000.00 for it? (Jeez, just the ICE alone in this car is worth much more than that, see gallery).
I realize that there’s plenty of Forum writing on this subject. I only want to know if anybody here may have a different angle on this overall picture, be it the failure issue itself, or the disposal of the car issue, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 684
From: Doncaster, UK
What codes does it give with the fault? without them you're just guessing.
Having said that, mine was doing the same the other year & turning the cruise control button by the gearstick off fixed it. Apparently that proves it's one of the TPS, the one that can't be replaced separately so I fitted a 2nd hand TB which cured it.
Having said that, mine was doing the same the other year & turning the cruise control button by the gearstick off fixed it. Apparently that proves it's one of the TPS, the one that can't be replaced separately so I fitted a 2nd hand TB which cured it.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 189
From: Gardnerville, NV
Since we're all commenting on an old post, I'll throw in my two pennies ...
I've had my '02 XJR-100 since August of '04. I've replaced the TB four times over the years, all brand new ones and threw away three of the old ones. If I had it to do over, I would keep those Pedal Position Sensors (PPS) before trashing the whole TB. I kept the last one because after reading through a lot of TB threads, it became apparent that it's either the PPS or TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) that causes the problems. On my car, it's been the PPS that goes bad, and now I'm out of spares for that and have two TPS spares. The PPS is only available by buying a new TB, which I'll probably do this year so that the one on the car now can be a spare.
So, keep those PPS's; they're going to be worth as much as the car, eventually.
I've had my '02 XJR-100 since August of '04. I've replaced the TB four times over the years, all brand new ones and threw away three of the old ones. If I had it to do over, I would keep those Pedal Position Sensors (PPS) before trashing the whole TB. I kept the last one because after reading through a lot of TB threads, it became apparent that it's either the PPS or TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) that causes the problems. On my car, it's been the PPS that goes bad, and now I'm out of spares for that and have two TPS spares. The PPS is only available by buying a new TB, which I'll probably do this year so that the one on the car now can be a spare.
So, keep those PPS's; they're going to be worth as much as the car, eventually.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Dreaded Limp Home Mode - Again
With all the dash lights, we started to refer to our 2001 XJ8E (49K miles) as "The Christmas Tree.:" Shortly after we purchased it, the seller (on his dime, to his credit) replaced the valve cover gaskets to try to address the problem. No joy.
Next, we (the buyers, now firmly on our dime), on the advice of our mechanic, replaced the fuel pump. No joy, dash still lights up. Then we replaced the mass air sensor. Still no joy. Finally, two coils and a new gas cap. Nada.
Then an ABS module rebuild.
Success!!,
Well, maybe. We are two weeks without seeing the restricted performance warning.
Stay tuned.
Next, we (the buyers, now firmly on our dime), on the advice of our mechanic, replaced the fuel pump. No joy, dash still lights up. Then we replaced the mass air sensor. Still no joy. Finally, two coils and a new gas cap. Nada.
Then an ABS module rebuild.
Success!!,
Well, maybe. We are two weeks without seeing the restricted performance warning.
Stay tuned.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 877
Likes: 79
From: Rocklin, CA
With all the dash lights, we started to refer to our 2001 XJ8E (49K miles) as "The Christmas Tree.:" Shortly after we purchased it, the seller (on his dime, to his credit) replaced the valve cover gaskets to try to address the problem. No joy.
Next, we (the buyers, now firmly on our dime), on the advice of our mechanic, replaced the fuel pump. No joy, dash still lights up. Then we replaced the mass air sensor. Still no joy. Finally, two coils and a new gas cap. Nada.
Then an ABS module rebuild.
Success!!,
Well, maybe. We are two weeks without seeing the restricted performance warning.
Stay tuned.
Next, we (the buyers, now firmly on our dime), on the advice of our mechanic, replaced the fuel pump. No joy, dash still lights up. Then we replaced the mass air sensor. Still no joy. Finally, two coils and a new gas cap. Nada.
Then an ABS module rebuild.
Success!!,
Well, maybe. We are two weeks without seeing the restricted performance warning.
Stay tuned.
NOW....does anyone have a link on how to R&R the whole ABS assembly without taking it apart. Yes, unplug the big CAN connection and take off the brake lines....but is it just a matter of removing those 4 bolts down below? What's the best way to the bolts?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 XJR Touch Screen Not Working
I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some insight on a problem that I am having with my 2003 XJR touch screen. It is completely blank. Pushing all the buttons around it doesn't help.No response at all. I've checked the battery to ensure that it is fully charged (above 12.8V). Still nothing. What's crazy is that after the car has been running for about 1.5 hours, the touch screen comes on as normal. From that moment on, as long as the car is hot, the screen comes on. Once parked and off for a while, the touch screen is blank again when the car starts up. Very frustrating. Thanks in advance for any advice or insight as to what might be the problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 525
Likes: 334
From: London, England
I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some insight on a problem that I am having with my 2003 XJR touch screen. It is completely blank. Pushing all the buttons around it doesn't help.No response at all. I've checked the battery to ensure that it is fully charged (above 12.8V). Still nothing. What's crazy is that after the car has been running for about 1.5 hours, the touch screen comes on as normal. From that moment on, as long as the car is hot, the screen comes on. Once parked and off for a while, the touch screen is blank again when the car starts up. Very frustrating. Thanks in advance for any advice or insight as to what might be the problem.
You will get a better response in the X350 forum as that was when the touch screen was introduced.
Good luck with finding a solution, it may be simpler to just upgrade to a jagdroid unit as you need to send unit to them and they can workout what is going wrong!
https://www.jagdroid.org
Last edited by Cafcpete; Jan 16, 2025 at 03:15 AM.