Help...Exorcist needed!

[elk1001]

Hi Guys, 

Just bought an XF on a 09 plate, having never had a Jag before I was smitten as soon as she started up!       Sold on the car, the only problem I have is it seems the 'heating' has a mind of its own.       The car is set up in Auto with the vents also on Auto however, one day everything is fine, turn on the car, vents open, almost instant heat and everything is cosy.....then the next day only the outer vents open and everything is freezing, yesterday no vents opened and freezing again, this morning was lovely, all vents opened, heat - great!     This afternoon going home from work...... one vent opened and freezing cold again!        Have read up on the forums ref coolant levels etc, checked that and all fine, deduced it can't be fuses playing up as its intermittent......   do I have a temp controller on the blink or???????

I appreciate any feedback guys! 

[thistle4celtic1]

You could try keeping the vents permanently open to see if that would be related to the problem.

Climate Control/Vent Rotation and choose "Always Open".

It is possible to set the air vents so that they
remain permanently on view, even when the
ignition is switched off.
From the touch-screen Climate menu, select
Settings. Select Vent rotation Always open.

 

[elk1001]

Hi John, will give it a try but got another question ...  shouldn't all four rotating vents operate together or are they that clever?   (I can guess the answer but got to ask!)

 

[Tomato]

As far as I am aware they all move together. Sounds like potentially a faulty wire somewhere maybe.

[elk1001]

Hi Darren,  

I need to get a bit more specific my friend, stripping the dash back isn't something I would look forward to on the spec it 'might' be a loose wire!    Besides the logic isn't quite there - with 4 units operating alternatively or 'selectively' indicates something a bit more than just a faulty connection to me I'm afraid!

Thought there might be a common fault that gives these symptoms on the XF?

Thanks for the input guys!

[Tomato]

Fair point, not heard of this problem before, will see if I can find any wiring maps.

[elk1001]

Any help is appreciated Darren, had 3 open with heat on the way home from work tonight, got home and they didn't close up this time!

Went to shops tonight and they all opened and closed!     Sure this thing has a mind of its own!

[elk1001]

Update:   Still playing up, 1 vent open today and no hot air whatsoever.    Got to the point now where I need to do something drastic, so...

Got a fair idea that its the Air con module that's faulty -  all vents do operate (when selected? - wiring map indicates all wires return to module),  I can have hot air - coolant air lock? - not sure on this as to true cause

Hopefully I'll get some idea from the unit above.

Will let you know!

[elk1001]

Well guys it would seem I have the following faults;

Intermittent:  - Air distribution damper motor, Defrost damper motor, Left temperature damper motor

Pending:  -  Electric heater control module

Permanent:  -  Outer air vent - Left, Electric heater control module, Right temperature damper motor, Lin bus B

I'm thinking I have a problem with the Climate Control ECU but want to check the wiring diagrams first - am I up the wrong tree?

[Tomato]

Hi Ian, sounds like you are making good progress. Would tend to agree given the number of faults it would suggest the control unit. Not experienced this problem, so other maybe able to give you more confidence as suspect those units are not cheap. Replaced two on an SLK recently, bought used but needed to match up codes to make sure did not need reprogramming and everything work. Again, dont know if the XF has the same type of setup.

[Jimbov8]

If you don’t already have it, here is the electrical manual for your car.

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Electrical/XFElectrical/2009 MY XF Electrical Guide.pdf

[Carl Gibbs]

3 hours ago, Jimbov8 said:

If you don’t already have it, here is the electrical manual for your car.

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Electrical/XFElectrical/2009 MY XF Electrical Guide.pdf

I think I can make use of this too!! Thank you

[elk1001]

@Darren, I was pleasantly surprised to find them 2nd hand for £45 with  months warranty - the only negative is the ordeal ahead of stripping the dash down - anyone done that on here?

@Jim, many thanks Jim, found this as well but appreciate the input my friend.

Will keep updating as this continues - might even keep a video log when it comes to stripping the dash if anyone's interested?

[Tomato]

Try this video 

Looks like most of it is clipped on

[elk1001]

Hi Guys,

Just thought I would update and possibly help others with similar problems..

I purchased a 'guaranteed' air con control unit from a breaker in Germany for £35 and prepped myself for a weeks holiday to strip everything down.   Just prior to starting on the Saturday I happened to find a solution offered that wasn't a 'fix' as such.    The guy advised that he disconnected the electric preheat positive terminal and it resolved all his issues - sounded a bit far-fetched but thought it worth a try (If I'm honest I was looking for alternatives because the strip down was giving me nightmares!)

Anyway, cutting a long story short, I disconnected the positive cable and made it safe, tried the air con and amazingly everything now works!!    All the vents open/close when they should, temperature control is back as well.    All I have lost is the pre-heat on cold days (which I've never had in other cars) so not a loss really - win/win situation for me!

Oh, anyone need a s/h air con control unit I know where there is one!

Ian