Jon Hyde

Just a new thermostat 'tower' yesterday, but I don't think that's related, since it happened several weeks ago as well.

Cheers,
J

Hi Carl,

Yes, doing about 60-65mph, no acceleration to speak of (normally flies!). So I backed off for a few hundred yards, noise went away and everything was back to normal.

Continued home with no other problems.

Cheers,

Jon

Hi All,

I've just dropped my wife off at work. On the way home (Brighton to Southwater, mostly on the A23), nearing home, there was a continuous 'thrumming' noise. I thought I had a deflating tyre! But the throttle was unresponsive. This went on for a mile or two, then completely disappeared, all back to normal serenity!

Was that a DPF regen taking place (lots of short runs recently), or something more sinister?

Any clues?

Cheers,
Jon

Hi John,

Not sure this will help, but it might!

I recently had a complete shutdown in the road in front of my house. Called the AA (it was blocking neighbours' access). AA man said the battery needed replacement, but as he didn't have one with him, my car would have to stay where it was. Unlocked, unmovable! Battery removed as it was very very hot.

Second AA man next morning said the battery was fine and I needed a new alternator, arranged for the car to be trucked to a local independent dealer. Once the alternator was replaced (and original battery reinstalled) all was fine.

Are you sure it isn't just the normal "I need a blast up the motorway to clean my DPFs" bleat that we all get from time to time if doing short trips?

Hope you get it sorted, whatever the cause.

Cheers
Jon

Hi Kelvin,

I'm no expert, but I have been through the mill with XF issues!

I recently had something similar, but the car started, then declared a battery problem. Turned out to be a failed alternator (although the AA originally suggested a duff battery!).

It sounds like one or other of the above, hopefully battery - alternator c£700 to replace!

Cheers,

Jon

Hi Peter,

In my experience of an older (2011) XF-S...

1. It needs a good long drive every now & then, to top up the battery (in my case) or batteries. Many short runs are not good! (Not to mention DPFs!)

2. As I recently experienced, a duff alternator can cause total havoc (and a bill for £700), but resulted in a dead car when going shopping (can you imagine the reaction???).

My humble suggestion for a first approach would be to take it for a long-ish drive and see how that pans out. If it's been sitting, it needs to stretch it's legs a bit.

Hope you get it resolved. Need a pic of your car too!

Cheers,

Jon

Hi Mark,

As I understand it, you shouldn't 'brim' it - just fill until the pump cuts out. I'm no expert on how the XF handles this in detail, but I guess there might be some feature that vents the overfill somehow.

Others, I'm sure will have a more detailed idea of what's going on.

Envious of you for 'inheriting' such a low mileage 2010 XF!!!

Cheers.
Jon

Hi Bob,

I don't now how they are tested, but my 2011 3.0D is much, much quicker off the mark in S mode and even quicker again when combined with dynamic mode.

J

Hi Alan,

Darren is absolutely right. I had the same dilemma (although I do have an old iPod filled with classic rock that I also use!)

Cheers,

Jon

Phew!

All sorted with a new alternator.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and support, after all though, it's just a car. But it's a car I really really like.

However, do I keep it or get a newer version?

Opinions solicited!

J

It was the emergency key in the keyfob - worked for the trunk (boot!) and the passenger door!

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that!

However, the story moves on…

Today’s AA man worked out that there’s a dead short in the alternator, not the battery. The overheating of the battery last night was apparently because it couldn’t keep up with demand with no charging going on. A battery was fitted this morning, which got it started and moved out of the middle of the road, but that battery also went low very quickly.

Now have to get it booked in for an alternator and recovery to the dealership.

Cheers!
Jon

Hi All,

I've been reading lots of posts concerning all the resets needed when a new battery is fitted - they all seem a bit of a faff, but I guess I'll just have to work through them!

One problem remains (once the new battery is fitted) - I don't have the code for the radio!

Some people have said that an XF doesn't need a radio code though. Is there a definitive answer? Can't bear the thought of no music or satnav!

Cheers,

Jon

Fingers crossed!

Seems it was a dead short in the battery, which was almost melting in the boot! New battery coming tomorrow morning.

So  my wife & I were just heading out to the shops, when about 200yds from home I got a gearbox fault message (was still driving OK), followed by a red battery warning light. Turned around, got to the house where the car died completely. Now blocking neighbour’s driveway and can’t lock the car!
AA on the way, but I wonder what they will be able to do, given that the battery is in the boot, which won’t open!

Ho-hum!

Hi,

I get my DVD updates from here:

www.latestsatnav.co.uk

Very good service, and so far, every DVD has worked perfectly.

Cheers
Jon

Pirelli P-Zero everytime!

So glad I found this topic!

My XF-S occasionally emits what looks like steam (but obviously is probably smoke) from the front left of the bonnet. No ill-effects on driving/performance, just a bit scary. Only does it briefly after a cold start. My speed limiter in the passenger seat says she can smell it and she doesn't like it.

I think I'll just relax now!

Cheers,
Jon

4 hours ago, Big John said:

Hi Richard

Depends on the state of the car when you are measuring it. If you have unlocked the car and opened the boot to read it: Yes. As soon as you unlock it the car "wakes-up" and turns on all of the computers which use a lot of Amps. If you are reading it through a window with the car "asleep" then you probably have something which is suffering insomnia and failing to go to sleep when it should 🙂

John

John,

The "insomnia" got my ribs aching!

Sorry Richard, your car still has a problem, I know, but a little humour is something to cherish!

J

Hi Nick,

This may not be particularly helpful, but...

I also have a 2011 XF (3.0l diesel S). It does exactly as you would expect - no need to double pull to open. So you clearly have a gremlin in the works somewhere. I've looked at the owner's manual and can find nothing to suggest an option to invoke a double pull - why would there be? Makes no sense! Taking it to a Jaguar dealer would be expensive, so, although annoying, I think I'd tolerate it.

Cheers,
Jon

Hi Paul,

I completely agree! Even my wife's Audi TT was appalling compared to the XF - noisy, rough ride, no toys!

It's great when they come back home.

Cheers
Jon

Hi All, and thanks again for your suggestions.

Have just been for a drive. Straight and bendy, different gears, all as suggested. But no difference, so I have to conclude it's the tyres since there's no vibration, no 'shimmy' on the steering wheel, and (most importantly!) Mrs. H is convinced I'm hearing things (I'm not!!!).

Ho hum!

Cheers,
Jon

Thanks for your help. I'll try the suggestions later today. tyres are Pirelli, but a different version of P-Zeros than the previous ones.

As in the new tyres recently fitted. Not new tyres needed!