Weird electrical issues 1997 Vanden Plas, 120,000 miles.
#1
Weird electrical issues 1997 Vanden Plas, 120,000 miles.
1997 Jaguar Vanden Plas 4.0 USA, 120,000 miles.
I must be one of those unlucky people to experience one of the "mysterious electrical problems" with my Jag.
The other day we had very serious rainy weather conditions. I ran through a couple rather deep puddles, and everything started from there on.
First, the locking "beep" would act as if key was still in ignition - it would screech instead of beeping. That went away after the car sat in the garage for a day. Next day, however, I drove on the highway about 20 miles and stopped for a bite to eat. Suddenly, as I parked and the car was still running, the entire dash board lit up like a Christmas tree. It flashed several times and left the "service airbag" message on it. I let car sit for about 30 min, then started it again and in 5 minutes or so the dash board started acting crazy again.
I decided to drive my BMW for a few days and let the car sit for over a week, thinking that it needs to just dry out. Took it out for a 10-mile highway run, and everything was fine. Stopped at the gas station, put gas in, inserted the key in the ignition to start - and woot! very brief flash of all lights on the dash board, plus the doors locked almost immediately. I drove home for two minutes and parked - no issues. Decided to let the car sit now, until I receive e-bayed used BCM I bought for $30, which I'm planning to swap and see if that makes any difference.
Any idea what's going on with my Jag?
I must be one of those unlucky people to experience one of the "mysterious electrical problems" with my Jag.
The other day we had very serious rainy weather conditions. I ran through a couple rather deep puddles, and everything started from there on.
First, the locking "beep" would act as if key was still in ignition - it would screech instead of beeping. That went away after the car sat in the garage for a day. Next day, however, I drove on the highway about 20 miles and stopped for a bite to eat. Suddenly, as I parked and the car was still running, the entire dash board lit up like a Christmas tree. It flashed several times and left the "service airbag" message on it. I let car sit for about 30 min, then started it again and in 5 minutes or so the dash board started acting crazy again.
I decided to drive my BMW for a few days and let the car sit for over a week, thinking that it needs to just dry out. Took it out for a 10-mile highway run, and everything was fine. Stopped at the gas station, put gas in, inserted the key in the ignition to start - and woot! very brief flash of all lights on the dash board, plus the doors locked almost immediately. I drove home for two minutes and parked - no issues. Decided to let the car sit now, until I receive e-bayed used BCM I bought for $30, which I'm planning to swap and see if that makes any difference.
Any idea what's going on with my Jag?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
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Yeah. Something got wet !
Sorry, couldn't resist. :-)
Hopefully someone will come along with some solid advice but if they don't.......
Unless there's signs of water in the cabin or trunk I'd focus on underhood components, especially those low enough to get doused with road water.
I've had no opportunity to dig into an X300 electrical system (knock wood) so I can't tell what to check specifically but I'd just start unplugging electrical connectors and relays looking for water intrusion. Check the grounds a "+" junction posts, too.
Cheers
DD
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tompullizzi (12-09-2022)
#3
While you are unplugging and plugging the connectors, you may as well give them a shot of water dispersant. WD-40 is sold for this purpose, but there are other products that may be better. Dielectric tuneup grease is also good for the wire entry ports on the connectors.
As mentioned by Doug, the ground points are worth looking at. Probably, worth looking at first because so many systems are involved together.
As mentioned by Doug, the ground points are worth looking at. Probably, worth looking at first because so many systems are involved together.
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tompullizzi (12-09-2022)
#4
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Solarus (04-04-2011)
#7
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#8
#9
A really good place to check first is a pair of 18-20 way connectors right behind the RH headlights, next to the washer fill neck. One white and one black. Corrosion and mung likes to set in there, and a good splash of water can do them in. Take 'em apart and clean them up, and see if it helps any.
Cheers,
Cheers,
#10
Well, Jack has saved the day! I popped open the hood, opened the ignition coil cover to expose 6 coils, and tada! One of them was flickering. A newly replaced one I must add. Quick (less than 5 min) replacement job I had done all by myself - and the car runs like new. Thank you Jack! Here's his post from the other thread:
Just for kicks, try this. It must be done at night so that you can turn the surrounding lights off once the car is running.
1. Raise the hood.
2. Remove the coil cover, that's the plastic part that says Jaguar.
3. Turn off all the lights and see if there is a visible flash at the top end of any of your coils. THERE SHOULD NOT BE.
If you see a flash it is a discharge that is causing your ignition system to die out. Whichever coil/coils is/are flashing need to be replaced.
1. Raise the hood.
2. Remove the coil cover, that's the plastic part that says Jaguar.
3. Turn off all the lights and see if there is a visible flash at the top end of any of your coils. THERE SHOULD NOT BE.
If you see a flash it is a discharge that is causing your ignition system to die out. Whichever coil/coils is/are flashing need to be replaced.
#11
my 96 vanden plas had locks activate with me outside the vechicle (3 day rain)
My recently (month) acquired 96 VP had the locks activate with the car running) and me outside the car. If not for my lone valet key that I had in the house I would still be outside looking in. ANY HELP APPRECIATED
btw, the local Jag dealer said that the key cutter for my key is broken FOR THE EAST COAST !)
I have been working on some other electrical problems
( NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS)
(MY DASH TEMP GAGE MOVES UP ONCE IN A WHILE THEN GETS TIRED AND GOES BACK TO ZERO)
I HAVE A PREVIOUS post where I have to look for the auxiliary heater (thank you), but my heater blows cold. I have to check the thermostat, but the engine and hoses all get hot.
I will check for relays getting wet, but I think it was just humidity maybe freaking out my electrical system. I didn't go through puddles or anything.
Thank you so much! tom
btw, the local Jag dealer said that the key cutter for my key is broken FOR THE EAST COAST !)
I have been working on some other electrical problems
( NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS)
(MY DASH TEMP GAGE MOVES UP ONCE IN A WHILE THEN GETS TIRED AND GOES BACK TO ZERO)
I HAVE A PREVIOUS post where I have to look for the auxiliary heater (thank you), but my heater blows cold. I have to check the thermostat, but the engine and hoses all get hot.
I will check for relays getting wet, but I think it was just humidity maybe freaking out my electrical system. I didn't go through puddles or anything.
Thank you so much! tom
#12
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tompullizzi (12-09-2022)
#13
A 96’ is considered an X300. This is the X308 section.
However, the security locking control module located above the left rear wheel well inside the trunk are notorious for going bad. The capacitors leak out and cause all sorts of issues.
However, the security locking control module located above the left rear wheel well inside the trunk are notorious for going bad. The capacitors leak out and cause all sorts of issues.
Last edited by Addicted2boost; 12-09-2022 at 10:41 AM.
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tompullizzi (12-09-2022)
#14
#15
If I read your message correctly, you can't find any locksmith in your area, who could cut a Tibbe key for you? If that is so: You can "read" a Tibbe key by looking at it. Google it. After you "read" the code of your key, you can mail-order it from any locksmith. If there is none in the US, I know a good one in Melbourne, Australia. You then still have to do the transponder coding yourself - and if you are lucky, you have a Jag-model, which allows you to do that yourself.
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tompullizzi (12-10-2022)
#16
#17
the 3rd picture in the following link explains a lot:
https://www.americankeysupply.com/pa...-the-tibbe-key
This is 6-cut tibbe key. There are also 8-cut tibbe keys (longer ones - depends on the Jaguar Model).
You read it from the inside to the outside (order of the sequence). Flat=1, max cut=4, and inbetween 2 and 3. The mail order locksmith needs perfect pictures of your key (from the side most of all).
https://www.americankeysupply.com/pa...-the-tibbe-key
This is 6-cut tibbe key. There are also 8-cut tibbe keys (longer ones - depends on the Jaguar Model).
You read it from the inside to the outside (order of the sequence). Flat=1, max cut=4, and inbetween 2 and 3. The mail order locksmith needs perfect pictures of your key (from the side most of all).
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