Hello everyone,

I am over one year into owning my 2001 XJR and I have been able to drive the car two months so far.

Since purchase, I have fixed:

Headlight, which I knew about at purchase
Driver side door, which I knew about at purchase

Transmission gasket. Car was leaking and brought it in, an import repair outfit fixed.

Once it was fixed, I drove it for a week, then I got new tires. A day late the leak comes back.

I assume the repair shop made a mistake the first go around so I prepare to tow it in for them to correct their mistake.

I notice the battery is dead and doesnt seem to charge as I can.t start the car. I buy a new battery, exchange it with the bad battery and it still will not start.

I get the car towed to the import repair shop and they call me to bring another key because my key is not starting the car. I bring down the other key and that will not start it either. Note: Both keys are after market. They bring in a locksmith, a good one, he runs a diagnostic and says to send it to the Jaguar dealership.

I tell Jaguar that I need new keys and I need the car to start. They call me a week later and they say they have run 2 hrs diagnostic at $200 an hour and want to run another 2 hrs at another $200 an hour to figure my key problem.
First, I let them know, I did not order diagnostics be run in the first place. Then, I asked if they ran the additional 2 hrs, could they guarantee my key would start the car. After all, I spending $800, right?

They said no.

At this point, I have a meltdown, call the used car dealer I bought this from and to his credit, he has the original mechanic call me back.

He told me when they got the car it had no keys and a good locksmith made them for the car. He said to tow over to him and the same locksmith would fix it.

Fast forward, two months and three things have happened.:
1.The original locksmith could not make my keys or new keys work, he thinks it may be a software or software update issue related to the changing out of the battery.
2. The mechanic finally checked all the fuses a said they were all good, so he has no more ideas.
3. Another locksmith that is great with software stopped in for a Civic and told him he would not touch a Jaguar.

Here are my questions:

What is wrong?

How do I fix it?

Thanks from seriously frustrated NEW jaguar owner.

 

Welcome to the forum wannoa,

I've copied this post from your Intro. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

Well lets start with some basic questions. When you say it won't start.


Is the condition turn the key dash lights come on and the car does the system check and then cranks over and won't start?


Is the condition turn the key no lights, no system check and no crank?


The answers will help us determine where to start.

 

Hi wannoa and welcome aboard, ....first off, can you assist us with your location in case local members can personally assist or give local direction.

Did you get your leak fixed?

Has anyone tested your alternator and checked your main battery cables for corrosion? Corrosion is a killer on most cars batteries, especially a high end saloon (such as this) which has many electrical needs while sitting.

You may simply have a bad key cylinder which is not reading the key module (which is embedded in the key). Do you get any response when you insert the key (seat/steering go into preset position, pinging and dash lights when key is turned)...please review this thread about a similar no start, pay particular attention to Motorcarman's comments (he has his own shop and is really good Tech), also DON B (spot on Tech) and do you have any codes you can inform us that were pulled?... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-start-179592/ ...those that claim they won't touch a Jag are simply too lazy to read about them. You will find that out here from the other members who'll help you.

I highly suspect the keys were not properly programmed to the car initially or they key cylinder recognition module may have fouled. Get us those codes, if any....please ask if you need to about getting the codes. (sorry about repeat Q's by me, Vern beat me to the post, ...lol)

Here's a pdf below to review (and maybe print out to take to a Tech?)...

 

Before you take anything apart check as you rotate the key if the starter relay clicks in green circle , the starter relay is opposite side on LWB / RWD . Then see if the king relays click in the red circles as this provides power to the fuses out to the sub - systems .

 

Thank you all, for your replies. Sorry about the delay, I will be on later tonight to answer some your questions and thank you for replying, it gives me hope that I won't have junk this (potentially) great car!

 

Some info on the XJR transmission and leak - there is a control wiring harness from TCU (transmission control module) that connects to the trans, the connection has an O ring that can fail, did they order and install the correct seal or just patch repair it?

Battery - sometimes (with an unlucky combination of things) the car will go into security lockdown, it feels it's been tampered with. I understand at that point it's a dealer level diagnostics to reset it - maybe, but at this point but first check the inertia switch.

The inertia switch is located in the footwell next to the pedals, a switch covered with a rubber boot - depress this switch, if it's tripped the car won't start. It's there to shut fuel off in case of an accident.

Can you hear anything click under the bonnet when you try to start the car? A few things to try if you can hear something....