ABS Traction control failure

[djws]

I keep getting this warning when I start my XK8 "ABS Traction
control failure", which goes off after turning the engine on and off any thoughts? not sure if its the ABS Sensor.

[knightsmith]

David

 

This can be as simple as the battery voltage dropping off, Don't panic just yet it may just need the battery charging or replacing . Or could also just be one of the front ABS leads. These can be changed quite easily.

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[djws]

Thanks Trevor. Im having problems with the Windows not closing all the time so i think it may be the battery

Dave

[Old Peter]

I was told that when a battery is on its way out the minor functions it performs will start to fail first.  I don't know whether that is true or not, but it is worth thinking about. 

 

Peter.

[knightsmith]

My battery is a right so and so to get out if it fails, it's in the boot, and the boot is electrically operated without a key entry

. But hopefully I will get a warning before it ever gets that bad .

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[djws]

Fortunately on my Xk8 there’s a keyhole cleverly hidden
between the X and the K on the boot so I can open it manually 

[djws]

If these current problems are the fault of the battery
ill be relieved!!! 1^st Job is to get it tested! 

[knightsmith]

On mine I have to take enter the passenger door with the emergency key inside the key fob, open the bonnet, take the fuse box cover off , there is a metal prong, I have to get a battery charger, connect the positive to it, and the negative to somewhere on the body . this will give enough power for the key to open the boot and get the battery put .

 

yours seems a far better idea David.

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[Old Peter]

Is there not a cleverly disguised keyhole underneath the overhang on the boot lid, Trevor?

 

I thought Jaguar would not copy  Mercedes.

 

Peter. 

[knightsmith]

No there isn't unfortunately Peter , also there isn't any overhang . i think it's just something the Indian chappies at TATA are teasing me with

 

ATB,

Trevor

[Old Peter]

I saw a You Tube video of a chap opening the boot of an XJ by pressing a button to the right of the boot  ---  2011 model.

 

It looked so easy  ---  but they must have changed it!

 

Peter.

[Old Peter]

I have just had a look on the Jaguar official website and they mention a button to open the boot on the right hand side of the bumper.

 

Is there someone at Castle Vale who has forgot to put it on yours?

 

Getting curiouser!

 

Peter.

[knightsmith]

There is a button, but it's electrically operated . so if the battery is flat the only way to open it is how I have explained above , it cannot be mechanically operated .

 

Quote from another site

 

" No keyhole, just push button electrically open and close. Not good if the battery is flat and located in the boot. Bit of an oversight by Jaguar that one!!"

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[Old Peter]

Hi Trevor,

 

I have had a bit of a look around without learning anything new, but I did check with a friend who knows something about Jaguar [he lives in Castle Vale] and he tells me that Jaguar were thinking of a recall to retro fit some kind of under bonnet charging system that a booster could be connected to when the battery failed.

 

Come to think of it, the fuel filler cap also seems to have no mechanical means of opening either.  I had a Rover Sterling for 11 years and that had a manual boot release, but also a small pull wire inside the boot for opening the filler cap.

 

The battery on the S Type is in the boot, but there is a very clever hidden keyhole for emergencies.

 

Regards

 

Peter.

[knightsmith]

Peter,

              Sounds a good idea, but at least the Jag has a spare wheel, which my last four cars didn't. They had that compressor thing with a tin of gunk which I hated, and thankfully didn't have to use .

 

But don't you think that putting the battery in an electrically operated boot is a dreadful oversight on a car that cost over £92 new?

 

If Jaguar are thinking of a recall to remedy the problem I had better hold my tongue when the stealership pester me next, but I suppose I could always take it to a different one.

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[Old Peter]

It is a big oversight, Trevor.

 

My X Type had a mechanical latch as well as an electric boot opener.

 

My S Type has two electric methods of opening the boot plus two mechanical ones.

 

So I conclude that it is either a design oversight or a cost cutting exercise.

 

I have heard of a little gadget that you charge up occasionally that you can plug into the Power Source which boosts up you battery if it's getting flat.

 

While I have only had one puncture in the last 13 years, I hated the emergency spare wheel in my x type, and was intending to buy a matching alloy wheel [still got the tyre for it in the garage] when the car was stolen.  My s type has a proper wheel on a matching alloy rim in the boot.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[knightsmith]

Peter,

            What is that little gadget please? looks well worth looking into even if just for peace of mind . Any spare wheel is better than a tin of gunk, and you are always likely to get a puncture on the cart tracks that pass for roads in Devon .

 

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[Old Peter]

Hi Trevor,

 

This is the one I saw:  There are probably others about also.

 

In car Battery Jump Starter -  from Premier Edition Shopping at Home.

 

The price is £29.95 = £2.95 p & p.

 

Might be worth looking at.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.