I just had the headlining replaced on my 2001 XK8. Now there is a flash code on the SRS warning light. The guy that did the headlining thought he had not interfered with any sensors and could not work out where it was coming from -so has left it to me to take to a garage to decode.
However I note the "flash code" appears to be "26" (two long - six short) but looking on all the forum posts, there does not seem to be a code 26.
Any suggestions of where the fault is located?
Derek

 

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I checked over the code list and there doesn't seem to be a code 26. When the codes flash they are all of the same duration no long/short flashes. Try observing the code flash again and check your count.
Did the shop have the seats out to install the new headliner. If so one of the plugs under the seat is not fully seated or they may have bent a pin when reinstalling the seats. I would recommend checking the plugs under the seat.
If they are all good look for a wire caught in the seat track. It may have pulled a connector loose.

Welcome to the forum. We are always happy to help.

 

Thanks Vern
Maybe it's really code 17 and I misread it.
That would make it the Passenger sensor I think.
The code says "Pass spatial sensor CAN fault". I looked up CAN and found: Controller Area Network, presumably that just means "somewhere in the system".

I know he recovered the A pillars so wonder if the fault is in the A-pillar sensor.
Or might it be the overhead sensor too within that code? He had that centre light fitting off too. I'm pretty sure he left the seats in place.
thanks
Derek

 

In the passenger side 'A' Pillar the wire to the sensor is routed underneath plastic braces on the surface of the inside of the pillar; a 'dummy' wire runs in the drivers side. If he incorrectly re-routed the wiring on the outside of these braces, they could be trapped, and crimped or possibly severed, when snapping the Pillar cover back onto the car. It may also have pulled the wire plug out of the cabin sensor when re-attaching the cover. Watch the following video from Reverend Sam on recovering the 'A' Pillars and you will see the wire, and how it is supposed to be routed inside the pillar cover, and can possibly become trapped or damaged.

 

QUOTE: 'The code says "Pass spatial sensor CAN fault". I looked up CAN and found: Controller Area Network, presumably that just means "somewhere in the system".' END QUOTE.

No, that means the connector is most likely disconnected, or the pins or sockets in the plug are covered with the adhesive he sprayed to hold the new fabric on, and the signal is not being transmitted or received across the Controller Area Network, hence the alert 'Passenger Spatial Sensor Controller Area Network (Communication) Fault'. Get some electronics cleaner or rubbing alcohol and clean the plug pins and sockets, or plug the sensor back in, behind the 'A' Pillar cover.

 

Thanks for your comments. Yes, it's definitely code 17.
I took the A-pillar lining off and confirmed the plugs are all OK. I started looking at the centre headliner sensors, but wasn't sure how to get the plastic section off without breaking it, so did not pursue that. Then I tried the "listen carefully" test, and sure enough you can hear the clicking of the ultrasound sensors on the A-pillar and the central overhead sensor, but not the B-pillar - I presume if the others are clicking this should click too - with the ignition on that is. (I thought this a bit odd if this is the problem, as the upholsterer would not have touched this to replace the headliner - I'll check).
So I popped this one out and it looks as if someone has been here before - glue on the snapped retaining tab - but it's not been a problem before now since I've had the car - about 3 years now.
I checked the connectors (there are two 2-pin connectors, one presumably the transmitter, one the receiver, yes?) and both are well-seated - in fact very hard to slide off, so I gave up on that and tried a bit of contact cleaner. Still no clicking. So I put a voltmeter on and neither paired plug has power.
The cable runs down behind the door pillar.

So two questions
- should there be power to this sensor and does that suggest a cable or fuse problem?
- If it's OK for there to be no apparent power, can I replace this sensor on its own (if I can source one in the UK).
Thanks
Derek

 

When I was troubleshooting SRS problems on my 2005 XK8, I borrowed a set of sensors from my friendly local Jaguar breaker. Each one just swapped directly without any programming.

Graham

 

I know this may be a long shot, but did the upholsterer cut the appropriate 'oval' hole in the fabric, or perhaps did not trim enough fabric from around the edges of the 'oval' sensor screen opening. This would definitely cause problems with the sensor.

Can you remove the screens, both from the overhead console and passenger 'A' Pillar, I would start with the pillar first, to check and confirm the sensors are completely unobstructed by the fabric, and that the sensor faces are not covered in spray adhesive themselves.

In the video you see Sam show how to remove the sensors from the passenger pillar cover, the drivers side has a wire but no sensor due to it being a left hand drive, U.S. car. If the upholsterer did not remove the sensor from the pillar cover, and only the outer screen, he could have easily coated the front of the sensor with adhesive, if this is the case, you can direct your electronic cleaner to the front of the sensor to clean it.

There is also the possibility that a sensor wire was pulled hard enough to unseat the pin in the connector, and it is no longer making contact, although it is plugged in. You can push the pins from the back of the connector with a very small jewelers screw driver or paperclip to ensure it is seated in the connector.

 

The diagnosis says the probable cause is wiring. I would go back to the shop that did the headliner and have them remove it and then look for damaged, crushed or broken wires to the passenger movement sensor.

 

I have heard of a few cases of a wire getting pinched, particularly under the visor screws when reinstalling the headliner.