A few minutes after washing my xkr at a self-serv car wash with a powerful spray nozzle, I got hit with a restricted performance warning and engine light on my 2003 XKR.

I am wondering if some water could have gotten into anything to throw the following codes: P1111 and P0171. These codes were detected at an Autozone, but referenced "domestic" and GM codes when read.

Here is what their printout read:

P1111 - Intake air temperature (IAT) intermittent high voltage-low temperature condition.

Probable cause: 1. Open Circuit to IAT - check connector
2. Failed IAT.
3. Open circuit condition.

P0171: Fuel trim bank one condition.

Probable cause: 1. If bank one and two codes set together, suspect fuel
pressure or MAF
2. Oxygen sensor defective.
3. Ignition misfire-repair
4. Fuel injector problem.

The car was running perfectly prior to the wash. Was this just coincidence? Is there some significance to both codes going off at the
same time that might point to the same problem?

Are these the same code explanations in the Jaguar JITS?

Should I have the scanner reset, in case it was simply moisture somewhere?

Any ideas from the Jag techs out there? Thanks again guys.

 

Here are the 2003 XKR Codes. Hope they help.

 

It happened to my 97 xk once, after a detail including steam clean in the engine compartment. Then the same messages "restricted performance warning and engine light" came on. So I went to a local Jag shop, and they read my cat and pulled simular codes with OBD II reader. They cleared the codes and resetted the engine light for me, and told me to bring the car back in a couple of the days. But actually after I've left the shop the car drove fine. and never gave me any problem any more. At the same night I did the same like you did here, posted a message here and asked for help, and was told that our XK has a problem with moist of any kind, and they aren't very good of keeping the moist from getting into where they supose to be dry all the time(like the throttle body or so). I guess all you have to do is just reset it with your reader and let it dry for a day or two. then everything should be fine.

 

Car wash usually gives me a P0158 HO2 sensor sense circuit high voltage, I either reset or ignore and drive to it resets itself. I need to check the connector for a short when wet.

2003 XKR

 

Come on guys, you know cats don't like water!

 

I remember being told that if a girl cried in the house next door, a car made in Britain would not start. that the moisture from her tears would cause a short.

Sounds like not much has changed Ha ha ha !!

 

Could this be moisture getting in through the hood louvers?

 

As quoted by Skidmark
Thinking twice about the hood louvers? I've never had a problem with mine. I just wipe the engine off afterwards very little water gets in and where it does is up front by the valve cover, (drivers side) and air box, (pass side), or on your car, Skid, the aftermarket air filter.

 

Got louvers on the brain lately, yes, so that thread definatly got my attention. That's why I was asking, going to do the deed in about a week, so I'm still in the "information gathering mode" from all sources.

The louvers are in the least troublemaking area they can be in, I have established that. Still, when I hear about anyone giving an XKR a blast with a high pressure spray wash gun I'm thinking watch the "angle of attack" when passing over the louvers. Don't want to anger the electron gods.

Did notice the new filter box will have a bit of louver over it. Should help the ventilation and cooling some, which should be handy.

 

I have read several articles about connectors in todays Hi tech cars.

After a while, the special grease they use to put the connectors together with (that seals out moisture) dries up and then they will suck the moisture in.

I am considering that I should start taking plugs apart, cleaning them and re-greasing them with the elec. grease to re-seal them.

 

Big Vette
I've been doing that for a few years It's cheap insurance and I don't have very many problems, knock on wood. It's a good idea.

 

What kind of grease do you use?

 

Dielectric grease, I also use an electronic cleaner you buy these at Radio Shack or Auto supply House.

 

I started using that when they went to all the electric connectors under the hood. They have tried seals and other stuff, but the grease seems to do the best at keeping everything dry.

The other rule of thumb with cars that have all the electric connectors is "NO POWER or STEAM WASHERS" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!.

Spray a good all pupose cleaner/degreaser and then use your "garden hose" being carful not to spray the fuse boxs etc. If you are keeping the oil leaks fixed, the cleaner should do the trick and the garden hose won't have the power to force water where you don't want it, yet still give you a clean engine area.

 

I personally would NEVER put a hose, power wash wand, or any source of water into the engine compartment. If you are too lazy to get some gunk and a rag to clean the mechanicals, then live with the dirty engine. At least it will still run without electronic issues due to moisture.

 

There's an auto detailer here in town that does a great job steam cleaning engine compartments, but he takes precautions against getting the electrics wet. When I clean the engine compartment, it's by hand with a cleaner and rag. If I need more than that done, I take it to the detailer, That way if anything cooks off later on it's on him, which has never happened.

 

I have had electrical problems with several other cars after steam cleaning the engine and would expect similar or worse problems with XK8's.

A dirty working engine is better than a clean non-working engine

 

I washed both my XK8 & S-Type engines and had not had a problem but I did it with caution. The one thing I would not do is introduce a power washer to my engine bay. You are only looking for trouble. This is how I did mine Engine Cleaning