I read the Jag Technical Bulletin S307-17which describes the transmission shifting problem I'm seeing on my 2004 XJ8(mostly sharp 1-2 and 2-1 upshifts and downshifts). The car has been dealermaintained since Day One and has 55,000 miles. I talked to the dealer aboutre-configuring the ECM and TCM per the Technical Bulletin. They will charge 2hours to do the work ($330 here in California!!!). I was told that thedealership will not be responsible if the ECM or TCM will not come back to lifeafter re-programming - so all of the risk is on me. So...I have a few questionsif anyone would be so kind to respond: (1) How often does a TCM or ECM failwhen it is re-flashed per the Technical Bulletin? (2) When there is failure, isit usually because they did the procedure improperly? (3) Should I find anotherdealer that won't impose these conditions on me?

 

I think Jaguar Cars need to ask themselves if they still want these guys as dealers ! Any Jaguar dealer should warrant it's repairs whether it is replacement of parts or carrying out a service. As to your questions...

1. I have yet to see a post on TCM and ECG failure after reprogramming. I have to emphasise this is a normal service operation on the car, not some exotic cure unknown to Jaguar.

2. If the process doesn't work, it is probably incorrect operation of the procedure, and the process must be done again. If they run into trouble, there is a Jaguar technical department they can ask for advice. They are a main agent, after all ! (or so you say)

3. Better find another dealer if you can, but independents with access to WDS can also carry out the reflash. My own indie did it last year after a tranny fluid replacement.

 

I invested some time to get into this topic myself.
For hard shifts, you should do the adaptation cycle first. ( You need SDD to do that or your dealer should do.)

If you're experiencing something like "the lurch".. tcm flashing and also ecu flashing is a good idea.
Flashing the TCM is rather simple with SDD .. I think it should also be able to retry an unsuccessfull programming attempt.
The ECU normally works as simple as TCM, but an interruption withing programming can be a time consuming problem.. depending on the phase of interrupt.
After flashing the TCM, you must do the adaption cycle anyway...

I did all of the above myself... so I understand your fear of killing your car very well... but if a professional does the flashing, I wouldn't bother... as long as the flashing PC doesn't crash or the car's battery brakes down during flashing... it's basically just like doing a bios update in your PC..

 

Thanks Fraser and nebelfuerst. I think I'll find a reputable indie that will not charge as much to do what appears to be a simple job. Seems that if they clear the adaptations first...it would be hard to screw this up.

Actually...I gave the wrong TB number. It's XJ307-06 (apologies...was looking at the wrong one when I wrote the original post). In the TB, they talk about re-configuring the TCM using the "Coded Access" route. They have to call a help line and write down a new code given by the help line. So...assuming they don't screw up the order in the procedure...or write down the wrong code from the help line...seems this is straightforward.

Thanks again.

 

Your mention of 'Coded Access' reminds me about a reflash I had done in 2011 by the main agent in Wilmslow. They told me they had to contact Jaguar to get a number to key in.

 

Find a authorised ZF specialist they are around

The dealer only knows what he is trained for I wouldn't waste my time with them
My 04 XJ8 had a full dealer service history took it to the ZF guy he said the oil had never been changed car had done 165,000 k,s but it had a full service history

I just bought a second hand Audi A3 diesel to run around full service history car has 193,000 k,s on the clock

Took it to a independent Audi specialist told him to change the fluid or at least look at it was the original 193,000k oil in it
DSG gearboxes cost 10 grand over here $500 for a preventative bit of maintenance is cheap insurance

People complain about gearboxes having problems or it just went bang was working fine first question I ask did you ever get the box serviced by a specialist they say car has a full dealer service history
I rest my case

 

the risk is it wont fix your problem. thats about it. TCM/ECM can be recovered if an issue. Biggest issues are battery not on charger like it ALWAYS should be, and loss of internet connection if live reflash and or lock up of PC during reflash. I ALWAYS reflash before I EVER condem a ZF. Its part of the diagnosis process and ALWAYS recommended by ZF

 

Many thanks to Brutal, (again !).

Just this month, the UK Jaguar Enthusiasts Club magazine has an article on the X350 (a 3.5 litre V8 version) owned by the editor, Nigel Thorley. The car is now over 200,000 miles and going well on its original engine and gearbox. Actually, I say original gearbox, but this was replaced under warranty shortly after purchase due to a problem.

 

Is there not an additive that Jag recommend as well?

 

no longer avail and was for the "sqwauk" noise issue

 

ah, on a side note - no wonder I can't find that stuff! I've got the squawk; apparently no harm per ZF but I find it vaguely annoying.

 

Bug em you know the sqwauking trans always gets the grease...er additive. Maybe they'll get reproduced if theres enough sqwauking

 

I had the same problems - harsh 1-2 and 2-1 shifts primarily. I cleared the adaptations and it pretty much went away. A month later I did a fluid/pan/filter change and cleared the adaptations again, then reflashed the ECM and TCM. It shifts perfectly.

I did mine with WDS. I made sure the battery in the car was topped off, and had it on a charger as well. The WDS was plugged into a UPS as well, since I don't trust the battery in it.

 

Your post is helpful gmcgann. Thanks.

I'd like this problem behind me once and for all, so I think I'll do exactly as you did and change the tranny oil along with clearing adaptations and reflashing the ECM and TCM.

This is a job I'd normally do myself, but I don't have a WDS (but I do have a UPS - :-)). I am new to Jag (and Ford) diagnostics...so I don't have any idea of the cost to obtain a WDS set. If the cost is about the same as getting the job done...I'd go ahead and buy the WDS. What scares me is that one has to call for a code in the midst of the reflashing procedure. Will they give the code to anyone that asks...do I have to subscribe to a service or be an authorized maintenance center?

Again...I'll just have an indie do the work...unless I learn it's not too expensive to do the whole thing myself. I do have a notebook computer. If it's just a pair of $100 USD cables and cheap software that's required...perfect. If it's more than this...or getting a code is not straightforward...I'll let the pros do this.

 

the device you need is "mongoose jlr" (cable) and the sw "sdd".
I use V130. I'm not sure if later versions will work without beeing online .
some chinese cables bring some working sw with them.. we could start the next discussion about risks here ;-)

 

Very helpful nebelfuerst. Thanks!

So...assuming I use mongoose cables and SDD software...there is still the matter in the Technical Bulletin that requires me to write down a code read from the TCM...call Jag with the code...and then enter a new code in order to proceed. So...here is what it says in the XJ307-06 TB at step #10:

10. Select and run ‘re-configure existing TCM’ application using the ‘Coded Access’

route.

Write down the 10 digit alphanumeric code that the WDS displays. Since this code

will change over time, have the VIN ready and immediately contact the Technical

HelpLine at 1-888-JAG=DLRS, option 2, then ZF option 2.

So...do I need to be worried about this?

 

There is a Mongoose jlr cable and software from China on eBay for around $150 USD. It says "requires a subscription to IDS version 125". So...again...I'm worried if I have to get an IDS subscription...or be a dealer of some sort?

 

No. I just used the option: "re-configure existing TCM’ application using the Non-Coded Access."

 

I never use coded access no need, we also have a couple mongoose as VCM's are no longer made so we try to keep out remaing VCMs working and bought the last 2 avail last year. Big issue because Mongoose dont always work correctly. aint it great to have out dated crap that works but is no longer supported
My best recomendation is just go to a dealer and have it flashed. I charge $125. small price compared to all the flaming hoops youre trying to go through IMO

 

Hello Brutal,

If I can get a dealer or indie to do it at your price here in Northern Calif...they will have my business. The Jag dealership (or is it "***********?") wants $330!!!

As a precaution, I think I'll change the trans fluid, filter, gasket too. Ideally, I'd like the fluid completely replaced (which means starting and stopping the engine so that the trans pumps fluid out of the trans fluid cooling lines a quart at a time...as you add a quart at a time). Hard to find anyone to replace fluid like this anymore. I had a lot of success with Amsoil trans fluid in the past...so ideally...I'd like to completely replace the fluid with Amsoil. I'd do this myself too...but it's really a two-person job.

Thanks again Brutal.