my xk8 had flat battery and was jump started by aa or some service now it will not come out of park and the dash insrtuments will not work starts and run ok can drive with pin in centre consel also engine check light is on

 

Welcome to the forum catra,

That's some list of problems.

There's a Jaguar detailed procedure for jump starting the XK8. Failure to follow this can cause damage to electronic components. It appears this may be the situation.

If the AA failed to follow the correct procedure and the present problems are the direct result, there is a clear liability.

If you've had to remove the star headed blank plug in the centre console and insert a key or the like to be able to move the gear selector, the interlock must be at fault.

Any illumination of the MIL should be investigated by having the DTC's read for stored and pending codes. Post the actual codes here - not what whoever reads them tells you they mean.

Graham

 

thanks for reply graham. I have autoboss diagnostic scanner which comes up with code P1638 can communication malfunction I have talked to david marks from jaguar enthusiast magazine, he said sounds like the instrument pack has blown? any Idea what this is and where it can be found, is it some kind of ecu or part of the instrument cluster . any help would be great,thanks catra.

 

Try disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds and reconnect it. Also clear the code and see if it comes back. If this does not resolve the problem, it is likely the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster is also the networking communications hub in these vehicles.

You can probably find a used one on ebay relatively cheaply, but it needs to be the exact same part number and software version. It will work, but the odometer will be wrong.

 

+1 to WhiteXKR's advice. Fingers crossed it fixes it.

The Instrument Pack is the cluster:




As you can see from the two connectors at the bottom, there's a lot going on there.

Graham

 

Your '96 will have two larger black connectors, instead of a black and a yellow as in Graham's photo of a later model.

 

Thanks White xkr and graham, I will try the battery disconection, also if I fit cluster from another car would it need to be reprogramed, also I have read on one of the theads about disconecting battery earth from battery and touching it on positive terminal for 15 secounds, is this a good Idea. Thanks again for your great information.

 

The reset procedure you describe is fine to try.

Remove the floor of your trunk. Look for a rectangular white label just above the well where the spare tire is stored, usually on the left side just behind the bottom of the left side carpeting.
Find the letters 'IPK'. The number next to it is the Instrument cluster part number. The last the digits (/XXX) is the VCATS or program revision. If you can match these, no reprogramming is needed. If you cannot, you still need to match the part number, but the program code must be reloaded by a dealer.

 

You can also fit an XJ8 cluster with no problems as well. I have done it on more than one occasion. There is no programming required either. If you get a 1999 cluster the gauges are easier to read. This was a common customer complaint when they were new & the fix was a new clock & instrument cluster on the sedans. It is uncommon but I have seen the clusters fail.

 

This is what you're looking for:



In my XJ8L it was on the RH side.

Graham

 

Very devious! That's a useful one to remember.

Graham

 

Thanks for help, I have done hard drive reset cleared fault codes and fitted new battery. but still have the same problems, also talked to jaguar dealer he said turn Ignion on press brake pedal and you shoud here a click. this does not happen, so I may need brakelight switch as well, or do you think that another Instrument cluster will sort that as well?. is the brakelight switch on the brake pedal?.

 

Two separate issues here:

1. P1638 - CAN communication malfunction
2. gear interlock not releasing

For (1) has the code stayed cleared or has it come back?

For (2), you should hear a click as the gearshift interlock releases when you press the brake pedal. It's this safety feature you've been bypassing by sticking a pin in the centre console.

Graham

 

Graham The P1638 Can commication malfuntion code comes back on as soon as it is cleared. and no click from gear interlock when brake pedal depressed. Looked in boot for vcats number and the top half of the sticker is missing, I have removed the instrument cluster, there is a paper sticker on it that reads LJA4300 -BE is this the part number. thanks catra.

 

The returning code is pointing towards the Instrument Pack at fault. VCATS label would have the correct number listed next to IPK but LJA4300-BE is the part number for an early series Pack so it look like you've struck lucky there. It's the same series you'll need - one ending BE.

The gear interlock is a separate issue. Check this thread for information on the switch:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...t=brake+switch

You know how to bypass the interlock issue for the moment so the Instrument Pack is the one to resolve first.

Graham

 

Graham and whites xkr thank you for your help. I have fitted s/h instrument cluster LJA 4300 BF and everything on the cluster is working, and the gear interlock problem is cured also, but their is abs,air bag,tracksion control,stability control and gearbox fault, + orange warning light. gearbox does not apear to go into fouth gear. any help would be great.Thanks catra.

 

Making progress.

Did you do a battery disconnect and hard reset before fitting the replacement Instrument Pack?

Graham

 

Graham thanks for post, yes I did hard drive reset with old cluster, should I have done hard drive reset with replacement cluster, before connecting the battery,thanks catra.

 

One way to explain it is to point out that the instrument pack is the gateway between all the networks on the car as well as the outside world of the DLC connector.

 

Logical sequence is:

1. hard reset
2. leave battery disconnected
3. disconnect old pack
4. connect replacement pack
5. reconnect battery

A further hard reset between (4) and (5) can have no effect as there has been no power through the system following (3).

Graham