Hi I need some help. I have a 1997 XK8 Have had it for a few years with no problems at all. I put the car away last fall Nov. of 16. Car was fine no errors at all. I had disconnect the battery for the winter. I put the battery back in the car started with not problem at all no errors on the dash at all. I drove the car for about 100 miles no errors at all car runs great. brought car in for inspection ( New Your state) it failed with 1997 errors. There are no errors on the dash board? any idea what I should be looking for? I have` no idea where to start? just to repeat no errors or lights on the dash board.
I hope someone can help. George

 

I am a bit confused with your post. First this is the X308 for XJ8/XJR. Is the vehicle a 1997 XK8? The code 1797 in the title and the code 1997 in the body of the post are not listed on the DTC code sheet for the XK8, XJ8 or XJR.
I suggest taking the vehicle to somewhere that will read the codes and that you write them down exactly as they are shown. Then we can dive in and give you a hand solving the problem.

 

For the XJR and I believe XJ8 x308, P1797 is a TCM to ECM communication error. see the appropriate transmission OBD codes list on jagrepair.com

 

This is a 1997 xk8... the error on my scanner is P1797. there are no indications on the dash board that there are any problems no lights or Msgs. George

 

Hi mgman71,

I have moved your thread from the forum for the X308 to the forum for the X100, which is the Jaguar factory project code for your 1997 XK8.

Here you will find knowledgeable owners of similar cars.

Cheers,

Don

 

Welcome to the forum George,

Here's the relevant extract from the Jaguar DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) list for P1797:



See 'Possible Causes' in the right hand column.

Now you have the code, the first step is to clear it and see if it returns. Sometimes an error code is set by a transient out-of-range signal, especially on vehicles that have been unused for lengthy periods. If you're not so fortunate as this and the code sets again then it points to a network (CAN) fault or a module fault. A TCM (Transmission Control Module) is a more likely suspect than the ECM (Engine Control Module).

When you get a minute, please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some information about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

George.

It's strange that you get no error messages, amber warning light, check engine light, or any other symptoms (like "limp-mode".)
Before doing anything major, I would drive the car for a decent length of time so that you're sure the battery is 100% charged. Then - delete any codes (sounds like you are able to do that) then do a "hard reset" by disconnecting the battery and touching the CAR'S positive and negative wires together (this will drain any residual power out of the car's various modules.)

Then - try again - you might find everything has got back to normal.

Regulations there must be quite strict, as this code has no relevance whatsoever to emissions or safety-related issues. It's just a fault on the CAN which is confusing the ECM and/or TCM. I had of these for about two years which I eventually cured by cleaning every connector on the CAN.

 

David thank you for your reply. I will try what you suggested. I will let you know later today. Thanks again.

 

I have checked the battery it is fully charged,checked the fuses all good, deleted the errors. Drove the car for a while ran great no problems and NO errors on the dash. Plugged in the scanner it fails the all the tests and then shows 1797. Anyone have any idea where I should start to look at this problem. I really do not want to junk the car but can not get it passed inspection in NY.

 

Maybe your scanner is part of the problem.

 

we have tried 4 scanners all have the same problem. I am at a lost as to what to do! Hope someone can help. Thanks. George

 

Are you getting P1000 also?

 

Slight digression but ......... for the benefit of those who don't know how the US inspection system works - is it that your car won't pass the test unless there are no codes stored ?
I think it's pretty unlikely that even a Jaguar Garage with IDS would be able to narrow down the problem - there are no other symptoms, no warning light and no "limp mode" which would normally be the case.
As a matter of interest - do all the red indicator lights work on the J-Gate - 'P', 'N', 'R' etc ?
The only suggestion I have is to try and clean all the connectors carrying the CAN circuits - bit fiddly and time consuming, but won't cost anything !!

 

It varies from state to state in the US or province to province in Canada. In many cases, the test process was not well thought out prior to enacting the legislation.

There's probably more pollution caused by driving to/from the testing stations with cars that are perfectly fine than the very few that fail the test because of a real emissions issue.

Add to this the cases like the OP who had no idea that there was a 'fault' and will have to drive the car around if for no other reason to set all the monitors. The entire test process is a farce.

But that's a rant for another day.

 

In the UK, the annual test is quite thorough, but ONLY relates to safety matters and emissions which are tested with a probe in the exhaust pipe. No codes are read.
So - a car would fail if a safety- or emissions-related warning light was on, and a "manual" check is done on everything from rust through windscreen wipers, all exterior lighting, horn, to tyres, brakes and suspension etc.
The test station will also add "advisories" - things which are close to, but not yet at, the fail point.

Rigorous, but fair and not usually open to dispute although inevitable, some discretion is involved when it comes to judging, for example, the degree of corrosion to justify a fail.

 

Safety inspections here (if any) are separate from emissions test in most cases.

 

If the MIL self tests OK and is not on then any stored codes are for info only and will not cause an I/M fail.

You will of course need at least the required OBD monitors for your state/region to be set.

I cannot tell from your posts what the actual situation is for your car as I think you've failed to say.

 

I will update my info today. I have a 1997 xk8 4.0 it has 77000 miles never had a problem with it. This started this winter I put the car away in Nov. and forgot to put on the battery maintainer and the battery went dead after a few months (battery is 2 years old) I charged it test all the cells looks fine. The failure is it fails all the OBDII iml tests. It says to make sure the engine is off,and that it is a OBDII car. If I do a scan it also fails and then post a 1797 error. If any one has any idea where to start please let me know. I do not know where to. thanks George

 

So the MIL is on?

 

I accept it is only 2 years old, but I'm not convinced you don't have a battery problem.