Discussion
hi
Recently noticed 'Trac not avail' on startup, the message only appears on startup (disappears just as fast) and not all the time, but this morning the wife said the the low coolant warming came on but disappearing as soon as she put the car in drive. i'm 99% certain the coolant isn't low as i check it every week. I've read on various forums that Trac not avail is a sign that the battery is on the way out and was wondering if the sensor(s) aren't getting juice required from the battery on startup but once started its ok.. the only other thing i have noticed is that the starting the car in the morning takes just that bit more cranking than normal.
Do i need a new battery? if i do, what kind of battery do i need? i want a heavy duty battery is possible. not sure about getting a battery from halfords rather get something that is top quality and will last.
cheers
NST
Recently noticed 'Trac not avail' on startup, the message only appears on startup (disappears just as fast) and not all the time, but this morning the wife said the the low coolant warming came on but disappearing as soon as she put the car in drive. i'm 99% certain the coolant isn't low as i check it every week. I've read on various forums that Trac not avail is a sign that the battery is on the way out and was wondering if the sensor(s) aren't getting juice required from the battery on startup but once started its ok.. the only other thing i have noticed is that the starting the car in the morning takes just that bit more cranking than normal.
Do i need a new battery? if i do, what kind of battery do i need? i want a heavy duty battery is possible. not sure about getting a battery from halfords rather get something that is top quality and will last.
cheers
NST
Triple7 said:
NST, buy the battery from Jaguar. Phone around a few and ask them what the best price the can provide you with one for. Haggle! I would think the probs may well be a low battery voltage, but make sure first before you spend the £100.
G
how can I check that it is the battery? the battery is just over 3 years old.G
You can check the battery yourself using a battery tester from halfords. If the voltage is just 0.5V lower than it should be then it can cause these errors.
Or you can see if any faults are logged at your dealer. If they try and charge you, tell them to get stuffed and go somewhere else!
G
Or you can see if any faults are logged at your dealer. If they try and charge you, tell them to get stuffed and go somewhere else!
G
Edited by Triple7 on Monday 17th March 15:01
Triple7 said:
You can check the battery yourself using a battery tester from halfords. If the voltage is just 0.5V lower than it should be then it can cause these errors.
Or you can see if any faults are logged at your dealer. If they try and charge you, tell them to get stuffed and go somewhere else!
G
Thanks mate!
Or you can see if any faults are logged at your dealer. If they try and charge you, tell them to get stuffed and go somewhere else!
G
Thanks mate!
Edited by Triple7 on Monday 17th March 15:01
If you're looking for good quality battery, Bosch batteries are available from Costco for decent money. If you're looking for a top spec battery, an Odyssey battery is a worth a look. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/batteries.htm
Steve.
Steve.
update:
battery is fine, went out and got a voltmeter which showed 12.2v engine off. the trac not avail error has been absent for the last few weeks. my investigation work uncovered the glovebox hadn't been closed properly (which i can only put down to he wife not closing fully) battery drain on with the glove box open could have been enough to trip up the sensor on startup.
on another note, jag went in for its 7th service. we had to have a few things done. One of the pullys/belts was making a ticking sound on startup, that turned out to be the supercharger belt (£100 fitted), the ariel mast needed replacing due to it becoming stuck sometimes when lowering (£64 fitted). I mentioned the low coolant being displayed on the dash but would disappear within 5 secs, i mentioned to them that it is probably the sensor in the header tank since the coolant tank is fine and shows coolant level is fine. Dealers said a clip had broken and that needed replacing (£52 fitted) which they said would fix the problem. well the low coolant light has come back again after just 2 days. i didn't think that would fix the problem since i mentioned to them that the car isn't low on coolant! i did mention to them that i had noticed oil drips from what looks like the gearbox but they didn't seem to pick up on that or the leaking diff.. since i've had the car up on a ramp i know they are leaking!
none of the work was done under warranty as all the parts are general wear and tear which is fine but does make me wonder as to what £1250 actually covers.
the car is going back to the dealers again to hopefully resolve the low coolant message. this time i might mention again to them to look at the sensor and check for leaks on the gearbox diff.
i won't mention the dealership yet i would like to see how they get on with fixing the car for the second time.
NST
battery is fine, went out and got a voltmeter which showed 12.2v engine off. the trac not avail error has been absent for the last few weeks. my investigation work uncovered the glovebox hadn't been closed properly (which i can only put down to he wife not closing fully) battery drain on with the glove box open could have been enough to trip up the sensor on startup.
on another note, jag went in for its 7th service. we had to have a few things done. One of the pullys/belts was making a ticking sound on startup, that turned out to be the supercharger belt (£100 fitted), the ariel mast needed replacing due to it becoming stuck sometimes when lowering (£64 fitted). I mentioned the low coolant being displayed on the dash but would disappear within 5 secs, i mentioned to them that it is probably the sensor in the header tank since the coolant tank is fine and shows coolant level is fine. Dealers said a clip had broken and that needed replacing (£52 fitted) which they said would fix the problem. well the low coolant light has come back again after just 2 days. i didn't think that would fix the problem since i mentioned to them that the car isn't low on coolant! i did mention to them that i had noticed oil drips from what looks like the gearbox but they didn't seem to pick up on that or the leaking diff.. since i've had the car up on a ramp i know they are leaking!
none of the work was done under warranty as all the parts are general wear and tear which is fine but does make me wonder as to what £1250 actually covers.
the car is going back to the dealers again to hopefully resolve the low coolant message. this time i might mention again to them to look at the sensor and check for leaks on the gearbox diff.
i won't mention the dealership yet i would like to see how they get on with fixing the car for the second time.
NST
I had a Low Coolant warning on my XJ when I bought it.
Fixed by removing the plug from the level sensor on the bottom of the expansion tank, quick spray of WD 40 and refit. Problem cured for the last two years. Most of these connectors carry a very, very low current and will go open circuit with even a tiny bit of damp or corrosion.
HTH.
Fixed by removing the plug from the level sensor on the bottom of the expansion tank, quick spray of WD 40 and refit. Problem cured for the last two years. Most of these connectors carry a very, very low current and will go open circuit with even a tiny bit of damp or corrosion.
HTH.
Jaguar steve said:
I had a Low Coolant warning on my XJ when I bought it.
Fixed by removing the plug from the level sensor on the bottom of the expansion tank, quick spray of WD 40 and refit. Problem cured for the last two years. Most of these connectors carry a very, very low current and will go open circuit with even a tiny bit of damp or corrosion.
HTH.
Is that likely to be a possible problem with ABS sensors too. Only I've been having problems with the ABS warning light coming on recently that don't follow the slightly low battery voltage problem pattern I've had in the past.Fixed by removing the plug from the level sensor on the bottom of the expansion tank, quick spray of WD 40 and refit. Problem cured for the last two years. Most of these connectors carry a very, very low current and will go open circuit with even a tiny bit of damp or corrosion.
HTH.
a8hex said:
Jaguar steve said:
I had a Low Coolant warning on my XJ when I bought it.
Fixed by removing the plug from the level sensor on the bottom of the expansion tank, quick spray of WD 40 and refit. Problem cured for the last two years. Most of these connectors carry a very, very low current and will go open circuit with even a tiny bit of damp or corrosion.
HTH.
Is that likely to be a possible problem with ABS sensors too. Only I've been having problems with the ABS warning light coming on recently that don't follow the slightly low battery voltage problem pattern I've had in the past.Fixed by removing the plug from the level sensor on the bottom of the expansion tank, quick spray of WD 40 and refit. Problem cured for the last two years. Most of these connectors carry a very, very low current and will go open circuit with even a tiny bit of damp or corrosion.
HTH.
sunday-driver said:
lemme guess the dealer... Lancasters of Sidcup? 
OK, it's been 12 years since I dealt with Lancaster's of Sidcup, it's where I bought my car, but they were very helpful then. Most of the years since then their Reading branch has looked after my car and I've been happy with the service, which is more than I can say for the only other Jaguar main dealer who have serviced the car.as they say YMMV
sunday-driver said:
lemme guess the dealer... Lancasters of Sidcup?
i couldn't possibly comment only to say that on the weekend i gave the car the once over, the intermittant low coolant message kept on appearing until i started to investigate. Firstly i don't think the 'technican' checked the level of the coolant properly once they had replaced the broken clip and pressure checked the coolant system. coolant level was sitting jut below the sensor level (car sits on a slight hill) which would explain why it would sometimes trip the sensor. Added some coolant and since then MrsNST has not got the low coolant warning. to early to tell at the moment but will give it a few more days and see if the coolant level is still the same and isn't leaking anywhere. i'm quite tempted to take the car to sevenoaks branch next time from past experience they seem alot more friendly.
Jag extended warranty is about to expire in a couple of months, the new quote is £1700(!). i'm assuming it goes up because the car has just ticked over the 60K mark. Does anyone have any experience in the what is and what isn't covered with the warranty? the list seems very impressive but i don't want to be paying for something like wheels bearings which are apparently covered but then be turned down to because its 'wear and tear'!
NST
Edited by NST on Thursday 10th April 08:26
Shar2 said:
The leads on the abs sensors seem to have a tendancy to break near the plug due to the flexing when turning the wheels. I had this and it brought about an intermitant ABS fault light, replaced the lead and all was well.
Thanks I'll look at that.I have to turn the wheel though :-( I didn't buy a XJR so I can only steer with the right foot when it's wet :-)
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