After a long-ish wait and some arduous research, I finally took a leap of faith (quite literally) and ordered for a Jaguar X308 from Japan. I made sure to check using the VIN (which the seller declared) when it was actually manufactured. I determined it was made in the UK to Japanese specs in early 2002. Would it happen to have metallic tensioners? It was first registered in Japan in 2002/3. It is a 4.0 Anthracite SWB Jag. Lovely car to behold too.

Thanks to the incredible generosity from all of you wonderful people, I was able to follow the instructions and change the display language to English and programme the key fob after removing the old battery. I have also used jaguarforums knowledge to procure all metal tensioners for the engine (though the courage to delve into its innards I have not yet). I have disconnected the power to the rear antenna mast (why should such a stately car have appendages leering out of its body?) which was not working anyway.

The headliner cloth was "dripping" out of the roof so I had it replaced at an equivalent of about USD 150 by a specialist with about 30 years of car interior jobs. I have topped off engine oil (with5W 40 retailed by Shell here in Kampala), the coolant (non-mineral, alkene-based type) and the brake fluid (with DOT 4 specification fluid).

The car is a marvel. Turns heads and looks of admiration and respect are cast at it everywhere. Most importantly, it is a joy to drive and the transmission is unbelievably smooth.

I have my work cut out for me. I need to work on a dent on the rear passenger door, LH; I need to finally get the courage to zip-tie the sprocket stuff and change the tensioners (I fear to mess with the timing); I need to change the upper front shock bushings (though I got the car wheels aligned and balanced out yesterday); I need to do a full service; I need to work on the cracks in the leather.

The car rides really well and I know I have not worked the engine to its full potential yet on any single drive!! I bought an ELM wireless/bluetooth diagnostic reader off ebay but cannot interprete the data (lol!!). I will need help in understanding what Mode6 is all about.

Right now, I would like to activate the alarm. When I lock the car, I get no lights, no chirp...nothing. I can see the SLCM under the trunk fuse box. It is labelled X300 (dunno why)... but can't quite understand why the alarm won't work. The other day I was able, under quite harsh circumstances, to discover that there indeed exists an alarm fitted. The former keeper (one with quite itchy fingers) connected a small switch under the steering wheel which when flipped eastward will silence the horns. Now while driving I pushed to horn, unaware that I had flipped the horns to silence, and the alarm blared out loud. So the alarm sounder works but that is about the only time I have heard it go off.

My telescopic function also doesn't work. All I get is a subdued grumble, nothing more. The tilt function works properly.
The car is pretty standard. Memory seats, steering controls (+ C.C), no seat heating (because the former keeper messed with the heater cushion) but all else is lovely.

No error codes apart from the ASC which flashes at me when a wheel spins (am told this is normal). I am planning to dress her up with new tyres and do a full service.

Well, I am here to learn and to be taught not to teach. Any help with all my issues up there is welcome.

 

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Welcome to the forum AfricanJag,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.

Follow this link XJ ( X308 ) XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

Please remember to add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

You can also visit the 'Other Areas' Region forum by following this link Other Areas - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your part of the World.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Thanks Graham.
Hope I have it right now!
Any responses to my alarm and tensioner queries based on my MY?

 

welcome - follow the links Graham has provided to a wealth of info and support - enjoy!!

 

Julius,

For the best response, I recommend you post the alarm and tensioner as two separate questions (new threads) in the X308 tech forum.

Graham

 

That is a sound idea Graham. Am going to try it. Thanks for the warm welcome!!

 

Welcome to the forum Julius,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't already done so you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

Hi Jim,

I would like to get rid of a thread, I started, because its text formatting was not good.

How do I do that?

Regards,
J

 

Hello Julius,

Members can't delete posts - only the Moderator team can do that.

Is it the Interprete wireless ELM scanner results thread that you want removed?

Graham

 

Yes that one Graham.
Thanks a bunch.
Julius

 

Julius,

It's deleted.

Graham

 

Graham thanks and well-done!
Cheers,

Julius