Hi folks,

i just purchased STR M/Y 2003, 78 k on the clock. Very nice BRG, but the car behaves a little bit odd ways i.e at city speeds with half warm engine the rpm fluctuates when below 2000 rpm significantly causing unconfortable drive (like warped discs). On higher speeds no problems. I think the reason is not engine but transmission or torque converter/programming. If the transmission oil is hot, no significant fluctuation problem, but I still can feel a very slight fluctuation(or at least I think so).

The dealer inspected the car before closing the purchase and found no fault codes. Also according the factory register the gearbox was updated in 2004, but this might be only half of the thuth.

I bought the car from a guy who had removed abroad and the car has full service register. The seller said that no problems were detected. The battery had run out when the car was sitting several weeks on dealer shopparking lot. Is it possible that the gearbox updating/reprogramming has disappeared because of the battery ?

Anyone else found similar behavior ? I have tried to search in the internet, but no similar case.

I had S Type 4.0 M/Y 2000 before and it run smoothly and perfectly referring to this.

Any ideas ? Back to dealer or Ebay to buy a new torque converter/gearos ?

BR,

Jussi

 

Yup, it is the TC lockup giving you issues. Common thing, not an easy problem to solve.

 

Welcome to the site! The key words in your description are 'half warm engine'. and low speeds. The RPM oscillation you mentioned is very common and there is TSB S307-14 to address this. Consists of a software flash for the TCM.

Start with this and see what happens.

 

I think it's where the TSBs are and may be described something like
Surge During Warm up at 40mph to 60mph

Not DIY but quite a cheap reflash

 

Thanks guys,

I found the same TSB S307-14 and called the dealer, but they said that this reprogramming was done in 2004. Maybe the best and cheapest solution is to take the car back to dealer and ask them to make the reprogramming again. If no help, then it's propably the TC. Sometimes I just don't rely on their fault diagnoses and very expensive solutions.

Because this is still temporary symptoms, do you think I can go on driving or does this cause more serious problems to some other parts ?

BR,

Jussi

 

They know it was done on your car? hmm, I doubt it - though wonders never cease as the saying goes.

If it's been done the only fix left that I know about is a replaced TC (torque convertor).

 

Hi again,

The service manager at local Jaguar Dealer told, that they have access into Factory database. He asked the VIN and according that factory database the TSB 307-14 reprogramming was done in Italy 2004. This car was initially sold in Italy and imported to Finland in 2006.

Anyway I'll try first talk them over to reprogram the transmission. Maybe there is other updates on database. Somehow they are rather reluctant to do that again ever is takes only 20 minutes...

I had years ago Oldmobile which had TH 350 locking up torque converter. Locking during driving felt totally different to this, but maybe it's TC

I hope it's just program problem, but normally I have always been unlucky and paid the most expensive faults...maybe I'll find somewhere a rebuilt TC.

BR,

Juha

 

My 03 STR behaves in the same fashion as yours. The trans fluid, etc. was replaced and a reflash performed to no avail. A rebuilt TC is $450 vs $1500 for a new unit.

 

I don't think anyone has reported deterioration as a secondary result of this condition.

 

i had mine replaced under warranty...........it needs a TC

 

I have a bit of the same issue, however, my dealer tells me that the reflash is a 3 hour charge (so, round about $330), because they have to do the drive procedure to help the system learn.

Makes replacement almost seems like a "bargain" given the programming cost....

But, you can do what others do (myself included) which is drive around the issue.

It stinks to have to, but you can.

I believe some have found success in "sport" mode, but for me what works best is to simply put the car in "4" when driving around town. By putting the selector there, the trans will try and hold the gear longer, so it doesn't get confused on the shift/gear selection, so the "hesitation" or "surging" is not apparent. I think of it as kind of letting the TC/trans relax, and not stress over the decision to shift....I've made the decision already.

Oh for a manual....a gate and shifter and everything....

 

Try another dealer. Never heard it takes 3 hrs and unless one of the techs here says so I don't believe it. Generally people are charged a low figure (*) so it cannot have taken 3 hrs. All they do is drive it gently and watch a screen to see each clutch adapt. Minutes, not hours.

(*) even here, where prices are huge, it's around 20-30 mins

 

Hi guys again,

I contacted two firms, one in Netherlands (Exco) selling Jaguar parts and their offer for a new TC was reasonable, about 650 €"s. I also got a better offer i.e. Recro in Latvia. They seem to be a competent factory and they rebuilt the TC with new parts and also assemble it. Because it's only about one day tour from Finland I think that would make sense. Their offer is 750 €'s incl. TC rebuilding plus assembly work incl. also 7 ltr new oil and filter. I think this would be really good. Have anyone heard about Recro in Europe ?

When I told them that there is no fault codes, the head engineer said that TC is left intentionally outside the TCM and very common fault with diesel BMW"s.

BR,

Jussi

 

Hello Jussi,

Did you get your TC fixed somewhere?

I have similar problem with my STR and also gear change from first to second isn't very smooth.
Is your STR changing all gears smoothly?

I've been looking for firms in Finland but that Recro sounds promising also.
Did you ask offers from Finnish companies?

BR,
Kalle

 

The three hour update they are trying to sell you is an adaptation clear and road test to set the adaptations while monitoring the shifts with the ids

 

Tell them you want the tcm reflashed and that you know there has been updated software released since 2004. If they tell you you have to fo the adaptation clear as part of the programming, that is not completely true. tell them you will do the road test yourself. It just involves slow acceleration from a complete stop with out going over 2000 rpm and shifting thru all the gears until 55 mph.

If the tcm software doesn't fix it then yes you do need a converter. Be careful with rebuilt converters had a case where it took three rebuilt converters until I found one that didn't surge and the extended wrty company had to pay for trans removal 3 times.

 

You just made my day...

 

Hi Kalle,

yes, I have contacted three garages in Finland which are known as ZF specialists. Near Turku there is also JN Trading. They do rebuild TC*s but do not make any assembly jobs. It looks to me that in Finland the cheapest garage assembly offer is about 1000 €'s plus 430 for rebuilding TC . After reading hundreds of similar postings on Audi and BMW forum about ZF gear boxes and their experience in Recro I think I this will be my choice. Recro's offer is reasonable, their quick answers sound that they have competence and if there is need to something else i.e bench testing, valve body rebuilding, they also have equipment. I'm going to visit their factory late in April. Then I know better.

BR,

Jussi

 

Thanks for the update Jussi, let us know how it goes in April.

 

Hi guys,

I decided hit the nail and drove down from Helsinki to Latvia Cesis. 2 hours with ferry and 4 hours drive. They rebuilt the TC, renewed some seals and relays, tested the transmission on bench and assembled it back. Of course new oils and filter. Now after 600 kms drive rpm's are rock steady and all the other oddies have gone. Really happy also with the bill i.e 760 €'s incl. everything.

BR,

Jussi