I was embarrassed to share this sometimes works , some times doesn't work Sport Mode on my 2005 X100 XKR vert tale. I got advice from change the switch below the J-Gate (didn't help) to the pull the contactors off the side of the ZF 6 speed and clean the contactors (didn't help) to change the associated computer module (didn't help and they took it back, less labor to the ignition harness wire contacts cleaning (didn't help).


You're all thinking it must be the ABS sprockets on the wheels then (first thing checked, didn't help). Nearing the end of my pride and about to ask the forum, I had the pleasure of watching my supercharger being removed and replaced to change a leaking coolant hose at the Jag dealer when I spoke to the Service Manager, Frank at 320 E. Fletcher Ave. Tampa , FL Jaguar Land Rover and told him about my mystery. He said maybe I should look at the ABS Rotors again. He was squeezing me in and did not have the time during the Grand Prix weekend to look.


Guess what? That rotor is press fit on the rotor. A severe pot hole can jar it enough to loosen it. If it slips, all manner of interesting messages present themselves. My favorite is the worry free TRANSMISSION FAULT" with an amber light as I try to add up the numbers guess on a new tranny. Sure enough, it was a slipping rotor. SN Barratt came through for 69.00 usd on a 272.00 Jaguar USA part for the new ABS Rotor. It looks like Jaguar Merriam at 352.00 will be the supplier of the new lh rear hub, since Field's Jag back in my Wisconsin homebase is at 506.00 for the hub.


If your s mode is intermittent, check rotation of the tires, excuse me tyres to you Brits, and if you hear a bearing beginning to go out sound, it could be the ABS rotor.

 

I'm a little confused. When you wrote 'the rotor is a press fit on the rotor' did you mean the sensor ring? That part is threaded and usually requires a 3/4" breaker bar with a pipe extension for removal.

 

Arland, was there any unusual vibration feeling transmitted to steering wheel?

John

 

I meant the ABS Rotor press fit on the hub. It is the sensor rotor in the SN Barratt parts book, page 56, item 1, pn# CBC4705. If I said rotor on rotor I ask forgiveness for a moment of mental aberration.

 

The vibration I experienced was similar to a wet rotor warp being sanded flat by the EBC reds. It was only braking at high speeds, when the DSC and ABS sensors come into play. Also, driving in a quiet fenced lane, I heard the faint rubbing sound like a early stage of a wheel bearing failure that suggested something was rubbing that ought not to be doing so. Hope this helps.

 

I am experiencing this right now with my 03.
The sport mode button and the J-gate shifting are affected at the same time. Sport button LED turns off and the car will only shift as an automatic regardless of whatever gear I put it in.
Being an older post, I am curious what the result was? You mention it is high on the suspect list but no followup about whether or not this ended up being the problem and if it was resolved?

 

Razorboy, did you figure this one out?
This happened to me yesterday, noticed that the light on the button was off in the depressed position, and J-gate shifting did nothing. Tried it a couple of times and noticed that when I first turned the ignition on, the switch light came on very briefly, 0.5s or so, and then stayed off. Kept the battery on the tender overnight, but was the same this morning. I was then going to pull codes but when I turned on the ignition with the reader plugged in, the switch light stayed on. Haven't driven it yet, but guessing both sport mode and J-gate are back to normal for as long as the switch light acts normally.
Clearly not the biggest problem to have, but I would like to understand what causes it, and if there is a quicker fix other than just waiting for it to fix itself

 

The sport mode on my 2005 XK8 in intermittent. When it's not working the shifter position lights such as D when it's in Drive position blinks off and on and the J gate doesn't down shift manually for when coming down steep grades. If position light is on solid everything works.

Jack

 

I'm going to be quicker with the code reader if/when it happens again, hopefully that will give us an idea what the problem is.