This is on my recently-acquired abandoned vehicle (with questionable history) ... photos attached, just for fun, from bringing home to recently-cleaned-up

2002 XKR 94,850 miles

I have a Suspension Fault. Using the iCarSoft i930, I can pull codes for a couple misfires & P1601, but it doesn't seem to pull any suspension fault codes to help me identify which of the shocks are not responding, or further indicate what is the root of the issue. I can measure for ~6ohms on the front shocks, and maybe backtrace for the rears if I can find the wiring, but it'd be nice if there were codes or another way to identify this?

Also, the fronts are in desperate need of replacement just because of the bushings. I noted that the electronic shocks are quite pricey ~ roughly $4XX apiece. I read somewhere that there's a workaround to disable the suspension fault & use "dumb shocks" but I haven't had luck finding this procedure - any leads on that would be helpful as well. I own a 1997 XK8 and I like the suspension & ride just fine, I really don't need the electronic dampening.

Thanks in advance, as always, for all the help & hope everyone's having a beautiful weekend!

-Jim



The day I literally dragged it off of a hauler, rear end is locked up and completely immobile / undrivable, it won't even roll.

Complete rear axle assembly out for refitting with a salvage differential

Wheels off for replacement & all-around brake work

New tires installed,

she cleaned up very nicely,

Side by side with the XK8

 

I may have answered my own question; this seems to indicate the traceback wires I can check:

 

After all that effort... someone has to reply! Well done.. keep going.

So, car will through a warning if you just replace shocks with normal type.... just disconnect the controller:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ension-168968/

Dont forget if your there to do the top mounts...

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ations-284506/

People forget the rears too.. my car sat at a slant.. replaced the rears with poly ones and it straightened up and looked normal..

Well done for bringing one back..

 

Pins attached for the convenience of anyone else running across this thread; Front Left read infinite ohms, the other three all read 8.4-8.7 ohms.

I still should do my diligence and confirm 0 ohms when jumping the pins at the shock, but based on the condition of the rest of that shock assembly, I do not doubt this one is gone.

Given that the rears are reading OK, and the (relatively) low mileage, I'm inclined to actually keep the electronic dampening and change out the front with electrics.

I'll search around & see if I cannot source them somewhere, but here in the US it seems they are very hard to find without spending close to $900 for the pair.


obviously, inverting this when probing the connector, as these are the pins when facing the module

 

Hi Jim. Well done on saving that XKR and cleaning it up.
My car is the same color convertible, but with black interior.
Previous owner had fitted Bilstein non-adaptive shocks because he said they were a quarter of the cost of Jaguar adaptive units.
He left all the wiring in place but simply unplugged from the module in the trunk, behind the battery,
If I plug in the module it brings on the dash light, so I leave it unplugged and it causes no problems.
The Bilstein suspension handles well but feels rather harsh on a rough surface.
I have never driven a car with CATS so don't know how it compares.
Regards,
Alan.

 

It's more likely the wiring that is faulty rather than the shock absorber, so measure the shock absorber itself before deciding to buy a new one.

My 2001 XKR with CATS and 20" wheels is more comfortable than my previous 1999 without CATS and 18" wheels, so for me definitely an option worth having.

 

That would make sense; I did, however, jump the connector and confirmed 0 ohm on the circuit, & reconnected the shock again to confirm, it's reading infinite / open. In any case, these front shocks have almost 100K miles, and are factory original, so they should be replaced while I've got the suspension apart anyway for sway bar links & bushings, and lower control arm bushings...

Since it's apparently good to go on the CATS except this one shock, I'm inclined to stick with the OEM electronic suspension. I'd like to see how that feels. But since they appear to be out of stock pretty much *everywhere* I will probably be sitting on this for awhile. I'll get the mounts off to Wayne at least...

 

I have an icarsoft and at one time tried to access my CATS module, it could not even find module. After updating the firmware however it located that module and several others on the car that were previously hidden.
The update was easy. Not suggesting your issue is firmware.