Hi guys!

With 2 days til Spring I got a few things done to my XJ8. (I owned 96 XJ6 and 04 XJ8 previously)

My car is 2003 XJ8 and I owned it close to 2 years with no issues.

Today, I got the car inspected at for DMV. Upon getting back home, I changed the air filter and drove the car onto those plastic ramps to do an oil change (Mobil 1 5/30) and OEM filter. All was good. I parked the car for a couple hours after moving it in my driveway.

--->> Upon starting, I got the ABS/Track light warning and it does not come off. No codes. Battery reads 13.27 - strong.

Did I mess something up while inserting a new MANN air filer? I checked and all connections are secure, I have not moved much while exchanging the filter.

Thank you all for kind responses.
Mike
New Jersey

 

I would check the underside (and all around) of the bellows on the air intake tube. Overtime, the heat will turn it all crumbly, cause it to break apart and run rough due to unmetered air entering the engine. You can also check to make sure the MAF sensor plug has a clean and tight connection at the air filter housing.

 

Thank you. I also see there is an ABS fuse in the engine compartment ... worth checking?

 

You can try but it’s likely the typical C1095 code which translates to the ABS module needs the positive and negative solder reflowed internally.

Also, make sure the full load breather pipe from the passenger side valve cover to the air intake tube is connected properly and in good shape.

 

Since you were working on the right side changing the filter, it's possible you disturbed the wheel sensor link which can suffer an internal breakage due to age. The best way to evaluate a ABS fault is with an analyzer that can read the chassis C codes.

 

Thanks. I assume this wheel sensor link ia somewhere near the air box in the engine bay itself?
I just have a hunch I touched something there when I did the air filter. I'll check the connections there, again.
Mike.

 

It may be the connection in the engine bay, but more likely an internal break caused by flex when steering or the connection to the sensor. A dirty sensor is also possible.

 

I would first try removing the negative battery cable from the battery, touch it to the positive terminal for 10 seconds, and then hook it back up. See if the code returns. I’ve noticed that my car is a little finicky sometimes. Maybe it freaked out when you pulled it up on the ramps. The advise from others above is likely right, but I’d perform this reset first.

 

Why not get the ABS DTCs from the module so we don't have to play "GUESS WHAT IS WRONG"?

 

Hi guys,

I'd like to up-date this thread. Thank you to everyone who chimed in.

It appears my car did not like getting plugged for the initial motor vehicle inspection. After the DMV read, my bonnet was open on its own accord and I had a reminder about service A. Just an odd electrical thing.
My car also got started several times with moving just a few feet during day (oil change, moving around driveway, etc), so perhaps battery drained a little. As usual, I put the car on a battery tender overnight and have then done trips trouble free. Thanks! Great forum we have here.