I have an intermittent problem with my 2007 XKR Convertible. It started back in April and has become steadily more frequent. The first occurrence happened as I was driving. I lost instruments (speedo and rev. counter froze in position). I also lost indicators, and suspension and power steering appeared less effective but the engine kept running. When I stopped and shut down the engine, the side lights were on and I could not turn them off. When I tried to restart the car I could get no ignition (i.e on pressing the start button the binnacle lights did not come on and the engine would not turn). My local Jaguar specialist managed to get the car going after clearing faults and boosting the battery. The car ran normally for some time and I kept the battery topped up with a CTEC. Then some time later, I unlocked the car, the sidelights came on, and once again I could get no ignition. The plug-in fault finder indicated problems with the keyless entry system and instrument cluster. These systems were removed from the car by my Jaguar specialist and checked by an electrical specialist. No faults were found. (Note: When removing the instrument binnacle the ignition lights came to life, perhaps suggesting a dry electrical joint or a bad connection somewhere). Following the checks the systems were reinstalled and all was well. After a couple of weeks of trouble free operation I unlocked the boot one day and the problem reappeared.....side lights came on and no response to the ignition button. Remembering the possible bad connection, I tapped the binnacle firmly with the start button depressed. Happily the ignition lights flashed on, the car started and then ran perfectly. This situation has become very regular and it is no longer a surprise to unlock the car and see the side lights come and I then get no response when pressing the starter button. One or two taps on the binnacle always resolve the problem. On two occasions the problem has arisen while I have been driving. The engine continues to run but I lose instruments, the indicators don't work, and the steering and suspension get sluggish. I get a range of messages on the touch screen and message centre (Parking System fault, CATS fault, orange engine symbol, etc.) which I believe are spurious. On stopping the car and shutting down, the side lights are on and there is no response to the starter button. All returns to normal after a couple of taps to the binnacle. The fault messages clear themselves after a few starts.

I run the car a couple of times a week and cover a total of around 80-100 miles each week. Clearly I have an electrical problem! Initially I thought it could be related to low voltage from the battery and hence bought a CTEC to keep it topped up. However, the problem has occurred immediately after the CTEC has completed its cycle. I no longer use the CTEC routinely, the battery does not run down between usage and remains strong. I have also observed that each time the problem occurs the clock reverts to 12:00 and all the journey data (MPG, trip miles, ave. speed, etc.) go to their start point, as if the battery had been disconnected. I would be very interested to hear of any similar experiences and would really appreciate some advice as to how best to confirm and track down the problem. Also is there any logic behind the side lights coming on as the first indication of the problem? Many thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy submission.
ALLEN68

 

Unfortunately I would say the binnacle will have to come out again. There is obviously a loose connection or wire breaking down somewhere behind. Start with the connectors to the binnacle and the sockets on the binnacle, hopefully you'll get lucky.

 

It is most certainly something in the binnacle either broken or slightly loose. As Jim says, remove it and go hunting. If you can find another binnacle at a reasonable price it might be easier to simply replace it.

 

I would definitely check the earthing around this area if you are convinced by tapping the binnacle clears the problem. Earth problems seem be totally illogical at times.

Although you have used a CTEK how old is the battery. It could still be the problem.

 

Thanks Woo5ie and others. The battery is new, I replaced it when I experienced the problem for the first time. I also note from the car's maintenance receipts that it had a new instrument module fitted back in 2012 (10k miles ago) which suggests that the original owner may have had a similar problem. The second owner (2013-2015) did only 5k miles in it before selling it to me. He says he had no problems in the time he owned it, and it ran trouble free for me for 8 months until the current problem started.

I will start by removing the instrument cluster and rechecking the electrical connections.

 

Any codes you can provide? are you using a new or different fob than previously?

I agree that a likely culprit would be a connection, chaffed wire or poor ground since the prior owner replaced the cluster. Ensure good connectivity with the use of dielectric grease at the connections.

 

No codes available at the moment but will try and get some.

 

ALLEN68, I'm sorry to resurrect your old thread but I'm hoping you can help with a similar problem my 2009 XKR has got.

What was the proper solution for your problem in the end? I tried smacking the instrument binnacle to get mine out of its intermittent funk yesterday and it didn't seem to make any difference. It sorted itself out in the end long enough for me to start the engine and move the car, but the problem came back immediately I turned it off. Even when the engine was running the binnacle display gave me all sorts of error messages, but the car seemed to behave itself at least while it was running.

It seems like a dodgy electrical connection somewhere, but where?

 

It's possible that it's battery problem.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I should have mentioned this in my first post, but I've fitted a new battery, believing that this would solve all weird electrical behaviour. It hasn't :-(

 

Sorry. But there is a problem on fuse box.

 

The overwhelming majority of electrical "problems" on these cars are caused by a battery either failing under load, or failing to charge fully because of an internal fault, or simply not being fully charged. The fitting of a new battery does NOT mean that you have a fully charged battery! New batteries are almost never fully charged.

The possibility of a corroded ground connection always exists but the first culprit, always, is the battery itself or its connections. The use if a CTEK maintainer will sometimes allow a failing battery to struggle on; the unit can report full charge but under load the battery may not perform (I experienced exactly this with a 2007 XK. The solution was a new and *fully charged* battery).

 

OK thanks for your replies.
The new battery is a Varta AGM. I'll try fully charging it and report back.

 

Hi SiliconS.
I am pleased to say that my intermittent electrical problem has been resolved after four years of annoyance. After several attempts through an independent Jaguar specialist and contact with the Jaguar head office, I was persuaded to take the car to the local dealership. They too had difficulty finding the fault but eventually removed the instrument panel and manipulated the wiring and connections. When they moved the grey connector, the fault was set off. Closer examination revealed that there was a loose pin (number 16) in the connector. The connector was replaced and no further problems have been experienced since it was fixed last July. Parts cost was £2.66, Labour was £240!. The fix was very quick but finding the problem was long (over a day with the dealership) and pretty lucky. My specialist had tried much the same process and missed the problem. Hope this helps.
Regards.
Allen

 

Thanks Allen. Really appreciate your reply and thanks for the info. When I have time I think I'll try doing the same thing.

 

Hi
I have a xk 2006 model and the parking lights remain on even after I have turned the ignition off and the car will not start again I have to undo the terminals on the battery leave a few minutes put back and it will start any ideas?

 

You need a new FULLY CHARGED battery. The lights remaining on (as you have been told in another thread) is a sign that your dying battery is gasping for breath. Confirmed by the fact that the "car will not start again".

 

This member would hit the pinnacle to get the ignition to go to #2 position.
Then the dealer found the bad pin in the grey connecter as stated below.