3.2 xj8 dash full of warning lights
Discussion
Hi Guys, any pointers? I have a '98 version bought 8 months ago and no previous faults.
Had a nice run down to the south coast yesterday through lots of puddles on ropey roads. No problems. Went across town today and the dash lights for the speedo and headlights were flickering and caught sight of the headlights and brake lights also 'pulsing'. Tried switching off engine and left just the ignition on and no flicker anywhere. Switch on, then flickering returns. About 2 miles from home now have 'Airbag' symbol on, along with message of 'Gearbox failure' and 'Stability Control fail'.
My thoughts are: the alternator for the flicker to the lights, followed by draining of the battery for the warning lights?
Any help would be appreciated.
Had a nice run down to the south coast yesterday through lots of puddles on ropey roads. No problems. Went across town today and the dash lights for the speedo and headlights were flickering and caught sight of the headlights and brake lights also 'pulsing'. Tried switching off engine and left just the ignition on and no flicker anywhere. Switch on, then flickering returns. About 2 miles from home now have 'Airbag' symbol on, along with message of 'Gearbox failure' and 'Stability Control fail'.
My thoughts are: the alternator for the flicker to the lights, followed by draining of the battery for the warning lights?
Any help would be appreciated.
Edited by Euro5stars on Saturday 16th March 23:16
Edited by Euro5stars on Sunday 17th March 00:05
I have a later model but I would think its the same for yours - Alternator problem and/or battery problem. Jags are famous for their inability to deal with voltage problems. Its usually a knackered battery but in your case the pulsing sounds like an alternator problem.
It will cause lots of weird and wonderful gremlins until its sorted. Just take it to any garage they will have a gadget they plug in that will tell you if its battery or alternator. Mine do this for free.
Just dont take it to a jag dealer.
ETA: GEt to this forum and ask , they are VERY helpful and knowledgeable http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/forum.php
It will cause lots of weird and wonderful gremlins until its sorted. Just take it to any garage they will have a gadget they plug in that will tell you if its battery or alternator. Mine do this for free.
Just dont take it to a jag dealer.
ETA: GEt to this forum and ask , they are VERY helpful and knowledgeable http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/forum.php
Edited by Dodsy on Sunday 17th March 16:29
Cheers, Dodsy. Saw on another forum (not the one you advised) that the earth can be an issue. Mine looks well looked after and the battery looks new(ish), very shiny. The alternator has no chance of me getting at (for me, anyway), so I'm off to me local garage. It does look quite ropey and when ur close to it, does make a slight squealing sound.
Fingers crossed.
Cheers
Fingers crossed.
Cheers
Edited by Euro5stars on Sunday 17th March 17:20
Local garage and auto electrical specialist agree its the alternator. Voltages up to 20+ or down to 15. Had new warning messages and no lights on journey back from garage in the dark. Frightening. All on me birthday! Wot a day?
Ordered a used one from Eurojags tonight, I need to get the poor beast over to TL near Reading ASAP. £50 + postage.
Ordered a used one from Eurojags tonight, I need to get the poor beast over to TL near Reading ASAP. £50 + postage.
Bought a secondhand alternator from Eurojags (£50 plus VAT and shipping + £50 to fit) and happy days. Sorted the problem a treat. Now just need to find out how to get the radio code (no code in all the paperwork that came with the beast). Grange in Swindon say it needs hooking up to a their electronics to re-code, it is a '98. They want £65 for the privilege. Thought it was just a straight 4/5 digit code? Is it true?
The X308 has a straight forward 4 digit code that takes seconds to input using the facia buttons without any need for a computer. The dealer will know this and almost certainly has easy access to your radio code on his records. But of course he's not going to tell you that...
If you don't have your radio code and don't want to get ripped off then why not consider bining the existing unit and buying a replacement - with a code and a warranty from Eurojag. Either that or try ringing Jaguar customer service to see if they can help, or maybe just a Google to see what you can come up with.
If you don't have your radio code and don't want to get ripped off then why not consider bining the existing unit and buying a replacement - with a code and a warranty from Eurojag. Either that or try ringing Jaguar customer service to see if they can help, or maybe just a Google to see what you can come up with.
My thoughts exactly, think I'll try another dealership by phone or Customer Service. Presume they'll want proof of ownership tho? Could always email it over I suppose.[url]
They had these wheels/tyres for sale (used) in the entrance, which made it all look a bit cheap as a dealership and were trying to squeeze £65 out of me for a radio code! Main Stealers is just about right, methinks.
|http://thumbsnap.com/6vlyFIy8[/url]
Ps the wheels/ tyres were £1800. Didn't realise they were that kinda money.
They had these wheels/tyres for sale (used) in the entrance, which made it all look a bit cheap as a dealership and were trying to squeeze £65 out of me for a radio code! Main Stealers is just about right, methinks.
|http://thumbsnap.com/6vlyFIy8[/url]Ps the wheels/ tyres were £1800. Didn't realise they were that kinda money.
Euro5stars said:
My thoughts exactly, think I'll try another dealership by phone or Customer Service. Presume they'll want proof of ownership tho? Could always email it over I suppose.[url]
They had these wheels/tyres for sale (used) in the entrance, which made it all look a bit cheap as a dealership and were trying to squeeze £65 out of me for a radio code! Main Stealers is just about right, methinks.
|http://thumbsnap.com/6vlyFIy8[/url]
Ps the wheels/ tyres were £1800. Didn't realise they were that kinda money.
As stupid as it sounds, the radio code can be reset by holding down either 2 or 3 buttons. I didnt believe it until i tried it. Dont know for your car but on mine it was AMEM and PTY (i think) They had these wheels/tyres for sale (used) in the entrance, which made it all look a bit cheap as a dealership and were trying to squeeze £65 out of me for a radio code! Main Stealers is just about right, methinks.
|http://thumbsnap.com/6vlyFIy8[/url]Ps the wheels/ tyres were £1800. Didn't realise they were that kinda money.
Great security feature... no doubt..
Benbay001 said:
Euro5stars said:
Cheers.I'll try that
Did you get much luck? If not Google your particular radio model followed by "code hold down" and you should get some posts about the exact buttons to hold down.Hoo(feckin)ray...
Spoke to Melanie in Customer Service. She located the code via the VIN. I sent a scanned copy of the VIN and next day.....Guess what? A 4 digit code, which worked first time. She was most helpful and quite jolly.
No need to pay £65 to the robbin'' jokers at Grange Jag in Swindon . Special mention to Simon on the Grange Service Desk for his high level of customer service.
Thanks all for your help.
Spoke to Melanie in Customer Service. She located the code via the VIN. I sent a scanned copy of the VIN and next day.....Guess what? A 4 digit code, which worked first time. She was most helpful and quite jolly.
No need to pay £65 to the robbin'' jokers at Grange Jag in Swindon . Special mention to Simon on the Grange Service Desk for his high level of customer service.
Thanks all for your help.
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