My dad's VDP was running just fine yesterday, although admitedly with ABS, ACS and TC warning lights/messages in amber. I drove it for about 4 hours around the motorways in the island without a single hiccup. I did drive the car in sport with the ocassional j-gate. However, I drove her smooth and gently most of the way.

Today upon startup it's displaying engine failsafe and gearbox fault as well. I was thinking it might be the battery.

Any thoughts?

 

The odds a pretty good you are right.

 

And the odds were with me. I checked the battery. The poles weren't properly fastened. I tightened them up real good and started the car up again. It was a success. No more gearbox failure or engine failsafe warnings. I didn't even have to swap with my XK8's battery to test it out.

Now, I'm thinking about how to clean the ABS, ASC and traction control sensors. How do I proceed?

 

I believe Sam has a video at jagrepair.com, and a lot of other abs related help. It is probably in the XK8 section.

 

Yes I saw it.

Now I have a question, does that apply of the ABS/ASC/TC are continuos and not intermittent?

 

Now I'm disconcerted. The wheel speed sensor bolt broke and is stuck. I cleaned the one sensor, but got demotivated after that accident that I've decided I won't work on the others.

So, now how do I remove the broken bolt?

 

I did not understand. Are the lights on as soon as the car starts, or after it moves a short distance? After a hard reset, does the car have to move before the lights come on?
I unplugged a wheel sensor once to see what happened, and the lights came on immediately, which makes sense with a open circuit. But a poor solder connection to the abs pump only caused an error after the car moved 100'. Turning the ignition off reset the error light until the car moved again.

 

I started my response before seeing your latest. I have never had much luck removing broken bolts, usually had to drill them out unless I had mapp or oxyacetylene torch to get really hot, then use small cold chisel to start threads. Penetrating oil is a big help.

 

Yep, being on a CAN-bus electrical system means that when voltage drops, everything goes wonky and you get a ton of faults. When my battery was failing, the first symptoms were the ABS/TCS faults, then it started shifting wrong, then it started running wrong.

But as for getting the bolt out, your best bet is a good long soak with penetrating oil and then try drilling it and an easy-out. You may just have to drill it.

 

Ok, so tomorrow that bolt becomes dad's problem.

The ABS/TC and ASC warnings are on before even starting the engine. They remain on ad infinitum. A new battery hasn't solved those.

 

The best bet is to find someone with the dealer level software to read the ABS codes. And... as i recall, the motor connector circuit problem gave an immediate code on my car.

As to the broken bolt, I assume your dad knows about helicoils.

 

I was not sure what the case would be with the XJ8. My XJ6 would only display the warning light after driving a short distance, and my Autoenginuity program will not interface with the ECU, apparently too early a model.

 

RJ-
Do you mean you could not get a connection to the ABS module? As I recall, mine connected fine. (I think!)

 

No Ross, I mean the Autoenginuity doesn't even recognize the OBD system. All it says is no codes reported or something like that.
At least with my XK8 it finds the modules, although it reports no connection to the instrument pack. It also won't do any on board diagnostics. The XK8 is a Oct 96 build, and Autoenginuity warned that it might not be able to interface as well as with later modules. I wish I could make some use of it to chase the cruise control failure that occurs periodically.
Meanwhile, I think I have highjacked giandaniels thread, for which I apologize.

 

the Alternator is bad as well. amazon Denso for $185 and get a new big battery and all your lights will go out...

 

5 of the last 6 x308's I own had the ABS/Traction control on and they all went out after I replaced the Alternator and Battery...Should be a sticky at this point on this Forum, to replace your Alternator/Battery before posting LOL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

I just told this bit of news to my dad. I hope it's exactly what he needs to get that VDP safely out on the road.

If he get's it fixed he'll sell it and buy my sister a Jeep.

 

I hope you would not change the battery and or the alternator without some confirmation that they were bad.

 

I told him to get it diagnosed.