Dear Jaguar Enthusiasts,

I need some advice to diagnose my 2003 XJR with 119000 miles, which I enjoyed for the past 11 years.

The fuel gauge has been intermittent and frequently shows empty with "Range Error". However, I recently discovered that when restarting the engine the fuel gauge comes back to normal after a delay of ~20 s

A day after the most recent recent diagnostic check of the fuel sending unit at a repair shop I am encountering the following new issues:

- Error code P1601 (communication errors)
- Lumpy idle which evens out after ~30 s
- Braking at 30 mph results in a sudden drop of the front end by about 2 inches. It feels like hitting a pot hole. Very scary. CATS shocks acting up??
- The AutoZone alternator tests indicates that the voltage regulator is failing.

This voltage regulator failure was diagnosed at an AutoZone shop 3 months ago, but a check at a Jag dealership found no fault with the alternator.

I read threads about these individual problems, but not in this combination. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Stefan

2003 XJR
2002 XKR conv

 

Sounds like a bad alternator.

Find your local alternator and starter rebuilder: have him check it and rebuild the alternator. Maybe $200 and a half hour.