Engine failsafe problem
 

Hello, I have a 98 xk8 that is randomly popping up the engine failsafe and amber light. It will happen with or without cruise on and it only flashes on for a split second. Usually happens at mid throttle or when getting up to highway speeds, dosent effect anything it just flashes on for a sec or more then goes right out. I have no check lights and I removed and cleaned the brake pedal switch. Any ideas on what I should try? Thanks in advance

Might have a flakey TPS...



Dave

Thanks, I will check the connection on it and see how that is.

Hard to say what is going on. It could be a number of things from the throttle body to a faulty knock sensor among other things. Check for any codes and if you can plug an OBDII code reader in and drive the car and see if it captures the code then post that code.

Thanks, it was hard for me to figure out where to start but after your advice I plan to purchase the Bluetooth odb2 reader and I will see if I can capture a code at the time it happens.the engine failsafe only comes on long enough for me to read it and then it's gone and no check lights appear or stay on dash. I haven't replaced the brake switch but that was the first thing I removed and cleaned and tested. Cruise works fine and brake lights are working so I think I can rule that out at least.

See if you can capture the code first.

Thanks again I will try that as soon as scanner arrives.

It can even be a battery on its way out.

You may have a pending code. Doesn't matter when you read it - any time at all will do, parked or whatever.

I have a pending code p1111

P1111 means that all monitors have completed their tests with no errors found....

See if that is all you get when you drive the car and you get the failsafe flag.

P1111 is the only code that doesn't mean "Send Money"

Thanks again for all the help, when the Bluetooth scanner arrives I will see if I can get a code as it happens.

It's unlikely in the extreme, for it would be kept (at least as a pending code).

A quick look at the JTIS for your MY provides a subset of codes that only occur with FailSafe and AMBER light, the default mode is Cruise Inhibited for all, and as follows:
P1516/P1517/P1571/P1697/P1696/P0566/P0567/P0568/P0569/P0570/

You might review what these indicate to help with your investigation.