Hi...am posting here in the last hopes of avoiding having to sell my 2002 XJ8 to a scrap dealer. Car is low mileage (60K) in excellent shape in/out...recently started exhibiting flaky electrical behavior seen as (i) losing all power and not starting, (ii) inability to shift out of drive when running, and (iii) continual display of every error msg possible along with none working dash indicators such as battery, tach, speedo, etc.

Jag dealer who spent 3 weeks tinkering with it says: issue is with the instrument pack and cannot be fixed! They also recommend not replacing the instrument pack as each one is (apparently) customized to work with each car...so dropping a replacement pack in from a scrapped car would likely not work at all! I do trust them because they have always been a good dealer for me and i have to think they of all people are incentivized to keep me as a Jag customer if only for the service $$...

I am so disappointed. The scrap dealer has only offered $2000 for the entire car, but i have to think the V8 engine is worth much more than that alone. I have found another 2002 XJ8 instrument pack at a local scrap yard and am thinking of having the Jag dealer drop it in, but they are advising it is quite likely it won't work and then they will be unable to get my original pack working even to the crappy level it is at (car is drivable now but without gauges).

Any thoughts on this board before I start having the car chopped up would be appreciated! thank you....

 

If you're interested in selling, I'll make you an offer that will be better than 2K. I'll deal with it, and pick it up in OR.

 

Welcome to the forum, and don't quit yet. There are repair services that will check the instrument pack and repair it. Try a google search. I believe I have read of forum members who put a used one in, so a forum search may be a good idea.
The dealer does not repair modules. They replace with new, which is cost prohibitive. You need to find an independent garage.
When you have time please visit the new member area and introduce yourself:

New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

With a little help from the members of the forum you should be able to get the car fixed and then stick around for a while.

 

Look areound the archives for an explanation of instrument pack replacement I believe was posted by motorcarman, XXJRGUY or one of the other trained Jag Techs.

AS I recall, you will have an uncertified odometer and your car will not pass goverment mandated smog testing with an incompatible instrument and ecu module. But i am pretty sure it will run fine. With luck, one of those guys who KNOW will show up and answer your question. If your subject was more descriptive like, "Need to change IP", they might be more inclined to read this. Many times electrical problems are overdramatized, but I think in your case it is indeed a serious problem!

 

I really appreciate the support and the insights! This is so frustrating and I just can't picture putting a bullet into my XJ that I have pampered for the last 9 years. I will keep looking...thanks,

 

I am by no means or methods a knowledgeable mechanic. I work in construction
I am however on my 4th VDP; and have survived 4 Range Rovers (3 were P38's)
With electrical issues it is always best to start at the battery; how old is it ?
The 05 VDP I purchased this January started with the dreaded DCM, Parking Brake; limp mode which usually means a new throttle body but because of this forum I was able to correct the real issues which was A. the battery:still had the original battery and B. non-premium fuel.
Don't stop now just because a dealer tech doesn't want an education.

 

I think Jim L. replaced his instrument pack - could be wrong, but I know it has been done. I would go over every ground and power stud and clean and lube them. I had a bad ground strap that caused me a lot of problems. Battery is another good candidate. It's hard to believe a Jag dealer mechanic would give up on the car. Is he trying to sell you another one ? :^)

 

Check this thread out -
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...estions-63284/

 

An instrument cluster from a (NON -SUPERCHARGED) 2000-2003 XJ8 or XK8 should be a plug and play replacement in your car without any programming. The odometer will be wrong, that should be the only issue. These are relatively plentiful and cheap on ebay.

I had swapped a bunch of instrument clusters around while developing the RealGauge product and this is what I have found.

 

^ what Steve said ^ I might add you can double check your vehicle's replacement IPK or instrument pack comparing the VCATS program and the donor.

VCATS list is a list located in or around the rim of the spare wheel well under the trunk board, it lists all the electronic modules in the car's build, and their corresponding model year firmware, for example the Security Locking module Part number LNG2699JB and the following *** will be firmware - the matching part numbers should be enough.

Being interchangeable you shop for one with similar mileage or have it corrected by a specialist, they exist for this function legally.

It's a simple job to remove and install I've posted on here the whole process a number of times but if you need direction just ask, you only need a pozi screwdriver.

 

Yes, I did replace my instrument cluster module with a used one with success. Just make sure you get one that comes close to software revision to yours (see the VCATS list located in the trunk).

As forum member JimmyL mentioned earlier - go to my thread on the instrument cluster module (Look at posts - #1, #2, #5, #6, #7 and #9) - here is weblink:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...estions-63284/

Jim Lombardi