Advice as to why alarm light not flashing XF 2017

Hi Frank,

This is something that has mystified me since I got my 2017 XF-S. Previous XF (2011) flashed as expected, I have to assume that the alarm is armed.

Hopefully, some of our more knowledgeable friends on here will have some insight!

Fingers crossed!

Jon

Just had word back from a friend of mine, the alarm light should flash in the right hand side of the instrument cluster when it is armed.

Hope this helps.

Check everything is shut as it should be - bonnet, boot, doors etc, although both my cars are older than yours, if a door/bonnet/boot isn't shut properly it will lock but the alarm won't be armed because it's reading something open - even a door not completely shut is enough to cause this.

If necessary, open all doors, boot and bonnet and reclose them, ensuring they shut completely. It might fix your problem.

Hi all,

Thanks for the input, and thanks to Frank for raising the issue, but...

My XF has a red 'dome' in the center of the top of the dashboard, which is what I believe should flash (at least, it did on my previous (2011) XF!)

I know the alarm is working, even passively, since having left the car unlocked for a while, all hell broke loose when opening a door (stopped by clicking the keyfob unlock button!).

I'm thinking the light/LED is the problem?

Cheers,
Jon

It's highly unusual for an LED to fail, particularly one which is pulsed so i'd be looking for an alternative ccause. Have you had any wrk done on the car recently that might have involved trim etc being removed?

Hi Dave,

Ironically, yes - was recently hit from behind by a Range-Rover - needed a new bootlid, bumper, etc., etc.

But it has never flashed since I got the car, so repairs can't be the cause?

Cheers,

Jon

Probably one of the few cars that would dare to mix it with a Jag!

I see your logic Jon in saying these repairs weren't the cause, however how long have you had the car and do you know if there were any repairs before you got it? I'm thinking something has been disturbed and the alarm LED has been disconnected, following your theory of it never having worked.

Might be worth investing some £££ in getting an autoelectrician or Jag specialist to investigate and report but that obviously depends how invested you are in having it working. I find it useful to be able to easily check i've locked the car to be able to look out and see the red LED flashing on the dash for example and i'd willingly pay a reasonable amount for diagnosis if i couldn't work it out myself.

Hi Dave,

Good point, thanks!

I've now had it about a year, but will certainly have a chat with my friendly indie dealer where a bought it (and my previous one).

Random Q... Where in Suffolk are you? Myself & SWMBO often get up to Stradbroke, visiting in-laws, maybe a pint & a chat sometime?

Cheers,

Jon

5 hours ago, Jon Hyde said:

Where in Suffolk are you?

I'm over in the west of Suffolk Jon, in the niche where Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk meet. I normally describe it as "next door to Top Gun" which is a fairly accurate description in many ways without saying Lakenheath.

Certainly be up for a chat at some point if/when you're in the area.

Dave...

Next time I'm "up north" (for me!) I'll give you a shout!

J

Sounds like a plan to me!