One of the odd quirks of my 2001 XKR is that occasionally the power steering will be very light, as in drivable with one finger. Most of the time however, it's pretty stiff. I don't MIND it stiff... it's still working, just not as light a touch. I have no idea what controls that.

What controls the steering tightness/feel? IS this an eccentricity or something I could address?

 

The lightness of the steering depends on speed - it should be light at low speeds for manoeuvring and heavy at higher speeds. I would try pulling the fuse for the power steering control module and see if you then have a consistent feel to the steering - that would rule in or out electrical issues.

Lots of info in this recent thread:-

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...issues-294789/

 

Thanks. There is a mystery switch next to my valet mode button which I SUSPECT is a long-since-completed power steering mod. My XKR takes a bit of time to start when it's below freezing outside (currently 18F), so after it warms up I'll see if that switch does anything. I may pick up a spare servotronic relay module [LJC2100AB] (or pull one from the parts XK8) as well to troubleshoot.

 

I seem to remember in the past people modifying the power steering to have it always heavy, or always light or switchable by either switching the 12v supply to the module (off = always heavy) or switching the speed input to the module (off = always light) - maybe a previous owner has done something similar to yours. I also have a feeling that someone came up with a mod to allow the user to select how much assistance they wanted via an adjustment knob - all these threads are somewhere on the forum (maybe have a look in the sticky section).

 

Yup! A previous owner of this XKR did indeed install that little aftermarket mod. Switching the previously mystery toggle switch takes it from old man power-assist mode to good n' stiff mode. Problem, and mystery, solved!