X308 - A Few Issues
Discussion
I have just been given a 1998 Jaguar XJ8 Sport by my mother and step-father. It's been in their ownership since 2001, and has been well looked after. But it's not perfect, and I'm going to work my way through the issues it does have. Most of them seem quite common issues.
The first of which is a problem I have with the rear lights. With the headlights on, I get the dash warning message and the tail lights do not work. However, if I turn the lights off and back on a few times, they start working, but then one of the brake lights (the passenger side) stops working. It seems like either the tail lights work, or all 3 brake lights, but not both at the same time. I've checked for loose wires and it all seems fine, and I've done a fair bit of googling to no avail. Is it likely to be the control module?
The next issue is a common fault, the remote key fob not working. I bought new batteries for it, and attempted to go through the reprogramming steps that I have found on various sites (pull headlight stalk, insert key to pos 1, flash headlights 4 times). But when I get to flashing the headlights 4 times, I'm expecting to see the LED next to the gear selector to flash. It doesn't, and after the fourth flash, nothing happens. Pressing the remote gets no response at this point.
Any advice appreciated.
Despite the little niggles, I am thoroughly enjoying the car. It's not as quick as I had hoped, and the ride is poor as the suspension needs attention (I suspect the rear shocks need replacing), and it's a little thirsty around town (17mpg). But I drove to a football tournament in The Netherlands last month and it managed 28mpg with a car full, the aircon permanently on and quite some time stuck in traffic, which I thought was quite impressive.
The first of which is a problem I have with the rear lights. With the headlights on, I get the dash warning message and the tail lights do not work. However, if I turn the lights off and back on a few times, they start working, but then one of the brake lights (the passenger side) stops working. It seems like either the tail lights work, or all 3 brake lights, but not both at the same time. I've checked for loose wires and it all seems fine, and I've done a fair bit of googling to no avail. Is it likely to be the control module?
The next issue is a common fault, the remote key fob not working. I bought new batteries for it, and attempted to go through the reprogramming steps that I have found on various sites (pull headlight stalk, insert key to pos 1, flash headlights 4 times). But when I get to flashing the headlights 4 times, I'm expecting to see the LED next to the gear selector to flash. It doesn't, and after the fourth flash, nothing happens. Pressing the remote gets no response at this point.
Any advice appreciated.
Despite the little niggles, I am thoroughly enjoying the car. It's not as quick as I had hoped, and the ride is poor as the suspension needs attention (I suspect the rear shocks need replacing), and it's a little thirsty around town (17mpg). But I drove to a football tournament in The Netherlands last month and it managed 28mpg with a car full, the aircon permanently on and quite some time stuck in traffic, which I thought was quite impressive.
Strip the remote. Clean the buttons on the rubber part that touch the pcb. Clean the contacts on the pcb.
Slightly bend the battery connections, BE VERY GENTLE !
Then go through programming again.
Look it up on YouTube, but bear in mind your alarm sounder miget be inop or not programmed, so continue as if you hear a beep if that makes sense.
Rear lights, remove connections to the lamp unit, close up the connections in the plug using a small flat screwdriver, clean the contacts on the lamp unit.
Make sure all the correct bulbs are fitted.
Let us know how you get on.
Slightly bend the battery connections, BE VERY GENTLE !
Then go through programming again.
Look it up on YouTube, but bear in mind your alarm sounder miget be inop or not programmed, so continue as if you hear a beep if that makes sense.
Rear lights, remove connections to the lamp unit, close up the connections in the plug using a small flat screwdriver, clean the contacts on the lamp unit.
Make sure all the correct bulbs are fitted.
Let us know how you get on.
Hi and welcome to 308 land.
I would look at all earthing points for the rear light problem, or try with a temporary separate earth wire.
As far as remote fobs are concerned, it's usually dirty contacts inside and cleaning with solvents first, then India rubber second usually does the trick.
I had an article a while back in the Jag Enthusiasts mag and also put a piece on my web site showing the whole procedure.
It's at www.stallard-engineering.co.uk
These cars are delightful when looked after but heavy on suspension components and brakes.
I would look at all earthing points for the rear light problem, or try with a temporary separate earth wire.
As far as remote fobs are concerned, it's usually dirty contacts inside and cleaning with solvents first, then India rubber second usually does the trick.
I had an article a while back in the Jag Enthusiasts mag and also put a piece on my web site showing the whole procedure.
It's at www.stallard-engineering.co.uk
These cars are delightful when looked after but heavy on suspension components and brakes.
Edited by Orcadian on Wednesday 29th June 22:30
Thanks for the info guys. I'll have a go at the lights this weekend.
I'm a bit confused about the re-programming though, as I would expect the first part (headlight stick pulled, key in etc) would get some results even if the fob was knackered. At least get the LED by the gear selector flashing?
I'm a bit confused about the re-programming though, as I would expect the first part (headlight stick pulled, key in etc) would get some results even if the fob was knackered. At least get the LED by the gear selector flashing?
No,
The led on the gear selector panel only responds to key presses on the remote, so if the remote is not working then nothing happens with the led. A crap idea I think, so you have no idea if it's the remote or your incorrect procedure, there should have been an led on the remote itself like many cars.
If you look at the page on my site it will explain all of the procedure and what to expect.
Ian
The led on the gear selector panel only responds to key presses on the remote, so if the remote is not working then nothing happens with the led. A crap idea I think, so you have no idea if it's the remote or your incorrect procedure, there should have been an led on the remote itself like many cars.
If you look at the page on my site it will explain all of the procedure and what to expect.
Ian
Orcadian said:
No,
The led on the gear selector panel only responds to key presses on the remote, so if the remote is not working then nothing happens with the led. A crap idea I think, so you have no idea if it's the remote or your incorrect procedure, there should have been an led on the remote itself like many cars.
If you look at the page on my site it will explain all of the procedure and what to expect.
Ian
Thanks Ian. It was actually your site I found the instructions on originally!The led on the gear selector panel only responds to key presses on the remote, so if the remote is not working then nothing happens with the led. A crap idea I think, so you have no idea if it's the remote or your incorrect procedure, there should have been an led on the remote itself like many cars.
If you look at the page on my site it will explain all of the procedure and what to expect.
Ian
The issue I was having was the flashing of the headlights stage wouldn't invoke the LED flash. I did get it working, it doesn't work every time (possibly due to not flashing the headlights for long enough. Or too long) but I can get it to activate the programming mode now. The remote didn't work, so I took it apart, the button side of the board was pretty gunked up. I gave it a good clean but to no avail. So the fob is on it's way to someone who claims they can repair it. If that doesn't work, I will invest in a replacement.
I took the rear lamp units out and gave everything a good clean, checked all the connections looked ok, but that hasn't worked. I'd like to find a decent specialist to take on the jobs I can't do (i.e. anything other than basic stuff!) so it may have to be passed on to them to sort.
In my experience the remotes rarely fail completely (unless they've been under a steam roller) so I would have had another go at cleaning, solvents then India rubber.
The headlamp flash from the stalk is only a short pull, just as you might to acknowledge someone.
As far as rear lamps go, like any intermittent, not always repeatable fault, it's just a painstaking process with a multimeter checking switches, fuses, feeds and earths. Sorry I can't be more specific with that but many 'mechanics' are in the dark with electrics (literally) and only the services of a patient auto electrician will often track down a fault like that and time is money.
Ian
Btw, the earlier remotes are different from the later ones so tread carefully if buying on eBay.
The headlamp flash from the stalk is only a short pull, just as you might to acknowledge someone.
As far as rear lamps go, like any intermittent, not always repeatable fault, it's just a painstaking process with a multimeter checking switches, fuses, feeds and earths. Sorry I can't be more specific with that but many 'mechanics' are in the dark with electrics (literally) and only the services of a patient auto electrician will often track down a fault like that and time is money.
Ian
Btw, the earlier remotes are different from the later ones so tread carefully if buying on eBay.
Well the fob came back within a couple of days, reprogrammed, and now works fine. In the mean time I had been to see my mother, who produced the spare fob she'd found in a drawer. I reprogrammed that one, and only the button for the headlights worked. Took it apart and gave it a good clean, and 3 of the 4 buttons worked. Another clean, and all 4 buttons now work. With hindsight, you're right, I should have just been more thorough with cleaning the first fob.
But anyhoo, I'm out of pocket £11 and the cost of 4 new CR2016s, and I have 2 working fobs. Happy with that.
But anyhoo, I'm out of pocket £11 and the cost of 4 new CR2016s, and I have 2 working fobs. Happy with that.
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