Recalls: Jaguar X300 XJ
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Jaguar X300 XJ
No recall information is available for the Jaguar X300 XJ. To search for recalls of Jaguar models, please visit Product Safety Recalls Australia: Jaguar.
Problems and faults: Jaguar X300 XJ
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Jaguar X300 XJ and XJR: engine rattle after start-up
In May 1996, Jaguar issued service bulletin 03.1-09 for 1995-96 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with 4.0-litre petrol engines. In some vehicles with AJ6 or AJ16 engines, a rattling noise may be heard immediately after start-up due to temporary slack in the upper (secondary) timing chain tensioner.
A non-return valve in the tensioner was designed to trap pressurised engine oil to maintain tension on the timing chain to prevent rattling. If oil bled past the piston in the tensioner, the tension on the upper timing chain was temporarily lost and the rattle would occur until oil pressure accumulated and recharged the tensioner. A revised tension with an integral oil reservoir was introduced to overcome this condition starting with the following engine numbers –
- 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine: 9J160552; and,
- 4.0-litre supercharged engine: 9K160558.
Jaguar X300 XJ: extending cranking for hot starts
In May 1996 (and amended in January 1997), Jaguar issued service bulletin 05.1-16a for 1995 model year and beyond Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with VINs after 720001. In these vehicles, the driver may experience extending cranking when attempting to start the engine when it is hot (i.e. the engine has been recently running and then turned off) due to a defect with the fuel tank pressure control valve (Rochester valve). If confirmed, the valve was to be replaced.
Jaguar XJ300 XJ6: camshaft cover oil leaks
In January 1996, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-60 for 1995-96 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 767554. In these vehicles, torque specification (65 Nm) for the camshaft cover retaining bolts was revised from VIN 767555 to ensure that the shoulder on the shank of the bolt bottomed against the surface of the cylinder head for even compression of the camshaft cover gasket and to reduce the incidence of oil leakage. The revised torque specification applied to all AJ16 engines.
Jaguar X300 XJ6: ‘check engine’ light and DTC P0411
In April 1995, Jaguar issued service bulletin 05.1-04 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ and XJR vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 734672. In these vehicles, the ‘check engine’ light may illuminate and Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0411 may be stored.
According to the service bulletin, a vacuum may become trapped in the hose from the air pump (AIRP) to the secondary air injection check valve at the end of the secondary air injection cycle. The trapped vacuum would not allow the AIRP solenoid-operated stop valve (integral with the AIRP) to open during the next air injection cycle. Since the ECM monitored no drift in the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) swings, the ‘Check Engine’ light was triggered.
A revised air pump hose with a vacuum bleed was fitted to all AJ16 engines in production from VIN 734673 and could be fitted to affected engines.
Jaguar X300 XJ6: valve timing change
In August 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-57 for 1995 model year 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ6 vehicles. To improve idle quality, revised camshafts with reduced valve timing overlap were introduced as running change 95/13. The original camshafts, with a maximum opening position of 110 degrees were superseded by camshafts with a maximum opening position of 114 degrees. This change was accomplished by machining the camshaft slot in a different position. As a result valve timing overlap was reduced from 22 degrees to 14 degrees. Normally aspirated engines with the 110 camshafts that exhibited poor idle quality could be modified to achieve the same reduction in valve timing overlap as with the 114 camshafts.
Jaguar X300 XJ6: spark plug specification change
In May 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-54 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with naturally aspirated 4.0-litre AJ16 engines. In these vehicles, hotter spark plugs were installed in production from VIN 720189.
Jaguar X300 XJ: Throttle difficult to open on cold engine
In December 1998, Jaguar issued service bulletin 03.1-15 for 1995-97 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with 4.0-litre engines and VINs in the range 720001 to 812255. In these vehicles, owners may experience slight difficulty in opening the throttle from the closed position after the vehicle has been sitting for some time. According to the service bulletin, this condition may be due to oil mist from the crankcase collecting and hardening on the throttle body and plate when the engine was cold. To fix, the throttle body unit was to be cleaned; where there was a history of this problem, an oil separator was also to be fitted in the crankcase ventilation system.
Jaguar X300 XJ: rough idle
In February 2001, Jaguar issued service bulletin 05.1-36 for 1995 to 1997 model year Jaguar XJ and XJR vehicles with 4.0-litre I6 engines and VINs in the range 720001 to 812255. Some of these vehicles may experience poor idle quality, hesitation and other drivability concerns.
According to the service bulletin, if Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0101, P0102 or P0103 were stored and diagnosis confirmed a faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, then it should be replaced. On early 1995 model year vehicles with low mileage, the MAF sensor was replaced due to a known build issue by the supplier; this issue, however, was limited to a specific build range of parts and was corrected on all components produced after that date range.
Other possible causes, however, included:
- The wrong type of fuel injectors;
- The spark plugs (to be checked for the correct type, cleanliness and the correct gap of 0.96 mm);
- Camshaft timing changes; and,
- The EGR valve.
For further information, please refer to the service bulletin.
Jaguar X300 XJ: transmission control module
In September 1995, Jaguar issued service bulletin 08.1-01 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with ZF automatic transmissions and VINs in the range 720001 to 745840. These vehicles may experience the following intermittent conditions:
- The transmission Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) flashing on and off; and,
- The transmission entering limp home mode, the MIL remaining on, code P1777 being stored in the engine control module and the PDU could not communicate with the transmission control module.
A revised transmission control module (TCM) was installed in production from VIN 745841 and was to be fitted to affected vehicles.
Jaguar X300 XJ: front suspension knocks
In July 2000, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 11-02 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 722757. Knocks or rattles from the front suspension of these vehicles may be caused by the front suspension ‘V’ mount spigot nuts contacting the front sub-frame (cross-beam). A new ‘V’ mount with shorter spigot nuts was introduced in production at VIN 722758 and could be fitted to affected vehicles.
Jaguar X300 XJ: leaking pinion shaft oil seal
In December 1997, Jaguar issued service bulletin 10-13 for 1995 to 1997 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 812255. In these vehicles, leaks may occur from the pinion shaft oil seal. To fix, the steering rack had to be removed and the entire pinion valve housing be replaced because the housing and oil seal were supplied in a repair kit as an integral component.
Jaguar X300 XJ: steering column tilt motor
In December 1997, Jaguar issued service bulletin 10-12 for 1995 to 1997 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 790277. An improved column/mirror movement control module (C/MCM) was introduced for these vehicles and incorporated electronic sensing of the end stop of steering column tilt mechanism. Technical bulletin 10-12 replaced bulletin 10-10 and described the procedure for replacing the steering column motor and column/mirror movement control module
Jaguar XJ300 XJ: oil pressure gauge
In June 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 15-13 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with the AJ16 engine and VINs in the range 720001 to 746613. In these vehicles, the oil pressure may give inaccurate readings by showing either a zero reading on the gauge or producing needle fluctuations. To fix, a new oil pressure switch could be fitted in place of the sensor and the instrument pack reprogrammed. This modification converted the oil pressure gauge into an on/off indicator whereby the gauge would read mid-scale at normal driving conditions and only deflect if a low oil pressure condition occurred.
Jaguar XJ300 XJ: airbag lamp illuminated
In May 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 15-36 for 1995 to 1996 model year Jaguar X300 XJ vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 777462. In these vehicles, the Supplementary Restrain System (SRS) Airbag Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may remain illuminated after the six (6) second self-test function. If this was diagnosed as a defective harness connector for the driver’s airbag, the cable reel cassette was to be replaced. For further information, please refer to the technical bulletin.
Jaguar XJ300 XJ6 and XJR: cooling fan fuse failure
In October 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 14-04 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ6 and XJR vehicles with VINs after 720001. In these vehicles, the cooling fan circuit protection fuses F11 (30 Amp) and F17 (30 Amp) that were located in the LH Engine Bay Fuse Box may fail intermittently.
According to the technical bulletin, this problem may be caused by a defective single pressure switch (part no. LNA 7655BA) which controlled slow fan speed operation. If the single switch was defective, and refrigerant pressure rose enough to close the triple pressure switch, the fans would switch directly to high speed mode from off; this resulted in a higher current draw than the normal sequence of switching from low to high speed. The higher current may draw may blow either or both fuses F11 and F17.
From VIN 761570, the single pressure switch was deleted and replaced by a shorting plug. As a result, the cooling fans operated continuously at slow speed when the ignition switch was in position II (normal engine running position). Technical bulletin 14-06 described how to modify the cooling fan circuit and replace the relay module in case of a defective single pressure switch. The modification was necessary because failure of the pressure switch could cause sticking of the relay contacts and/or may switch the fans into a parallel circuit condition (high speed mode), causing the fan fuses to blow.
Jaguar X300 XJR: intermittent poor idle
In August 1997, Jaguar issued service bulletin 03.1-10 for 1995-97 model year Jaguar X300 XJR vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 792388. Intermittently, these vehicles may experience a poor or rough idle due to a build-up of carbon deposits on the exhaust valves and stems. The deposits could cause the valve stem to become sticky such that the valves may fail to seat fully.
According to the service bulletin, this condition was most likely to occur on vehicles which were frequently driven at low speed, such as in towns or cities. Highway driving, however, could then cause the condition to clear up significantly as carbon deposits were removed. ‘Carbon cutter’ exhaust valves – which were manufactured with a 90 degree angle at the leading edge of the stem to scrape off carbon as it accumulated – entered production starting with VIN 792389 and could replace the previous exhaust valves in affected engines.
Jaguar X300 XJR: Service Action S666 and EGR Valve Harness re-route
In July 2001, Jaguar Cars North America issued service bulletin 05.1-19 for 1996 model year Jaguar X300 XJR vehicles with VINs in the range 754304 to 776585. In some of these vehicles, the EGR valve wiring harness may have been routed incorrectly. In response, Jaguar initiated Service Action S666 to inspect and, if necessary, re-route the wiring harness so that possible contact with the EGR valve was eliminated.
Jaguar X300 XJR and XJ12: P0706, P0756 and P1739
In July 2000, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 08.2-01 for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJR and XJ12 vehicles with 4L80-E automatic transmissions and VINs in the range 720028 and 754303. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be issued even though no actual faults exist in the transmission –
- P0706: Manifold pressure switch;
- P0756: Transmission solenoid B;
- P1739: Transmission slip.
A revised Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) chip was introduced for the Transmission Control Module (TCM) on XJR and XJ12 vehicles and could be fitted in affected vehicles.
Jaguar X300 XJ12: Service Action S653 and DTC P0410
In July 2001, Jaguar Cars North America issued service bulletin 05.2-11a for 1995 model year Jaguar X300 XJ12 vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 754303. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may illuminate and the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0410 would be logged. In response, Jaguar initiated Service Action S653 whereby a revised check valve was to be fitted for the Secondary Air Injection System for XJ12 vehicles. Over time, failure to carry out the repair may lead to degradation of the catalytic converter.
Jaguar X300 XJ12: Service Action S700
In June 2001, Jaguar Cars North America issued amended service bulletin 05.2-17 for 1995-96 model year Jaguar X300 XJ12 vehicles with VINs in the range 720001 to 787489. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believed that certain misfire detection systems for XJ12 vehicles with NipponDenso engine management systems which complied with OBD II were not operating as intended. In an agreement negotiated with the EPA, Jaguar initiated Service Action S700 which undertook to enhance the emission control system warranty and provide two emission-related services free of charge.
Jaguar X300 XJ12: spark plug specification change
In May 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-55 for Jaguar X305 XJ12 vehicles with engine numbers after 8E 11071. In these vehicles, new specification spark plugs were introduced in production which enabled deposits to be more readily burned off during normal driving. The revised specification spark plugs (part no. NAB 3850DA) could be fitted to all X305 XJ12 sedans.
Jaguar X300 XJ: Other problems and faults
- The power-seat fuse may blow repeatedly – if so, the fuse should be replaced with one that has a 20-amp rating.
- Leaking transmission fluid may be due to a blockage of the transmission breather pipe.
- The radiator may leak at the seal between the header tank and core.
- The front and rear suspension rely on bushes and joints that wear over time and require progressive replacement to maintain ride quality.
- For the XJ6 and XJR, the electric pumps for the heater occasionally fail; the thermostats may also stick open such that the heater won’t produce hot air.
- For the XJR and XJ12, the transmission mounts can weaken and allow excess transmission movement – this can damage the transmission wiring harness.
