OK, I am very close (deposit down) on an 03 S Type R, 110k kilometers on it.
Pretty clean, good history, runs fine - have one concern and a few newbie questions:
Driving at 60k/hr about - light throttle, it feels like the Transmission is hunting between gears. This is subtle, but once i noticed, it was more obvious.
Been searching around here and seen some suggestions of the torque converter failing, and I would quite agree that what I felt would be consistent with that.
I have also seen/been told that this is "normal" for supercharged cars only, along the lines that the boost bypass is kind of oscillating on and off at this point - somwhat reasonable, but I am not 100% convinced. Looking for some experienced feedback on how concerned to be about this.

IS THERE a factory Service manual - paper book? where and how much can I find a full service manual?

IF it were a TC failure, what would a ballpark figure be for a Jag specialist - but not Jag dealer to repair?

Thanks

 

The first thing to do would be have the transmission control module reflashed with the correct software to correct the hunting issue. If the software doesn't fix the condition than the converter would be suspect. I hate to say this but the reflash is special and requires authorization from the Jaguar Technical Help line and this would require a visit to the dealer. I recommend this first whether it ends up needing a torque converter or not as even a new converter could hunt if the software is fouled.

It certainly is not normal for supercharged or naturally aspirated S-Types but it is correctable. If the bypass was blowing off at light throttle 60kph that would be the bigger problem.

There is no paper service manual. The JTIS would be the closest thing to a service manual available but that isn't even close to being all the service information available for this car.

I would like to make one more suggestion. Since you already seem dealer phobic and you haven't even purchased the car yet I would stay away and buy a Honda.

 

Good advice ^^ about the software reflash, in fact, I'd ask the existing owner to have it done prior to you doing the purchase, see if that's the problem. Otherwise, you really have no idea if theres more bargaining power there or not... speaking of a new converter.

If you're spidey senses are tingling on this car, keep looking.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys, being aware that there are such tightly controlled dealer updates is interesting. I am not 'anti-dealer', or looking for low maintenance cars..... but I do like to understand things before subjecting myself to ...what ever someone else says ie the dealer service sales person...

I have lots of mechanical experience in some special cars (1989-95 Thunderbird Supercoupes, DIY headgaskets on such, EEC tuning, 71 Mustang 5.0L EFI swap, and an 04 Volvo V70 T5) HOWEVER these STR's are a quantum leap more complicated than I have worked on, so I need to learn when a dealer really can do something special, or if a small shop specialist (jaguar trained) mechanic can take care of things.

Sounds like paper service manuals are gone the dodo, 1st ran into this with the volvo.

I am told the transmission has been cleared and flashed by Jaguar professional mechanics - but as 'favours' within the mechanical community.

Sounds like I should visit the local dealer and have a brief chat with the dealer service manager directly and see what they are like.

Thankyou again, as the experience of other owners is really the only way I can learn of the nuances of these cars without yet leaping in with both feet!

It also sounds from your comments that the mild hunting I am feeling is NOT normal or characteristic to be expected of the supercharged cars - correct? It is kind of difficult to find a few others to drive and compare to.

Pete

 

None of the 6 speeds should hunt, it is a well documented fault. Like I said the reflash for this problem is SPECIAL and requires a special rolling code from tech line to install in the car as it alters emmission performance and the U.S. government wants to know when this is done. No it doesn't matter where either you or the car is located the code is still required U.S. or not. The only way to tell which software is installed is to scan and read it from the IDS/SDD screen which is of course dealer only unless you know some moneybags that purchased his personal IDS/SDD but then you could only read data you couldn't make any corrections because the IDS/SDD is now setup for real time online update control.

I would become friendly with your local Jaguar dealer. Independent is fine for maintenance and simple codes from the ECM, TCM or ABS but few and far between are independts that can read other module codes like RECM, FECM, J-gate, IPK and the like.

I'm going to make a special post regarding the diagnostic equipment at the dealer so everybody understands where this is headed. Look for it labeled IDS?SDD the naked truth.

 

That's an awesome idea Real_Tech

 

My '03 non-R's tranmission will 'hunt' in cold weather when the transmission is not fully warmed up. Once fully up to temp, everything is fine. Usually the engine is at around 1500 rpm and speed between 60 and 100 kph.

 

I know what hunting feels like, and I would say that this was NOT as heavy has a hunt between gears, but by feel, and now thinking about it more - VERY much like a torque converter locking and and releasing.

Thankyou for more info on what a Dealer can do, and others can't ESPECIALLY the point about REAL TIME update with "jaguar Big Brother...":-)

I will ask to take the car to a Dealer for a paid inspection and assessment. And discuss with my local dealer service manager.

** Should an 05 be any quicker than this 03? - I have only driven one other of these which was an 05' six months ago. Not very scientific, but I recall the 05 feeling a bit quicker than this 03.

Thanks to the forum also, I found a thread about The STR's foldown seat - I was looking at the car and the seat completely felt like a fold down, but could not find the releases - found the answer to this on the forum here.

Thanks
Pete

 

The 2003 did not go all the way to redine before shifting. So yes they felt a little slower. I don't know if anybody has run them side by side so it's kind of a guess. Quite a bit of discussion when the STR first came out.
.
.
.

 

It is the torque converter going on and off that causes this, it has nothing to do with the gears. Most questions posted about the problem call it hunting or surging.

 

I know the 03 has 380 HP from factory and I think the 05 (or 06) went to 400 HP from factory.

 

The "R" got VVT in 2006 which raised the HP to 400 from 390. The VVT should have given more of a power increase but I guess not?

Your 2003 is rated at 390 not 380 HP. Here is a 2006 and up VVT type R engine.
.
.
.

 

No power increase? did you document both on the dyno?
Just wondering when you say "but I guess not"
Thanks.

 

Hey, if VVT was used in the 05 I drove, this would clearly explain why I felt it was quicker this probably improved low end torque alot more than changing peak HP, and low torque is more what I am interested in.
Thankyou, I think I am really going to look for an 05' and up for the sake of VVT.
Pete

 

This is a different kind of VVT than the kind detailed in JTIS for the 2002/3 facelift? In what way(s), please?

 

Please read what I said!! 2006 and up got the VVT. 2005 does NOT have VVT.
.
.
.
.

 

The "R" did not have VVT when introduced. It was added in 2006 and later.
.
.
.

 

I read what you put but just couldn't figure it out in relation to JTIS..... which could be..... clearer. I've tried finding clear Jag brochures or literature and failed. Even tried a year or so ago to get any of the old stuff from my local dealer but they said they threw it all out when the S-Type was discontinued. Well, their place is like the size of an aircraft hangar so hey they needed the space real bad.

 

Tbird6
Sorry I miss read, realized this few seconds after posting, and also tried to research further.
Thanks for the insight that VVT did get used later one.
Pete

 

Introduced myself for a few minutes with the sevice manager at the dealer, and basically was not very warm and fuzzy. I was seeking to get into a bief discussion of what specail tasks only a dealer can do vs others Certainly I understand he is interested in his departements succsess, however we really did not go anywhere towards an objective friendly conversation about the cars. In a nutshell, they are very complicated expensive cars to maintain, and we are the only ones who can do it.

A local specialist was far more down to earth in conversing about the technical nuances of these cars.

Thanks for all feedback, still pondering and researching on this end.

Pete