Recalls: Jaguar XJS
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 XJS
- In March 1992, a recall was issued for Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe and Convertible models because the high tension lead from the ignition coil could move close to the #4A fuel injector hose, causing the outer and inner injector hoses to crack or split. If this occurred, fuel would be expelled in the engine compartment which could start a fire. To fix, the high tension leads were replaced with shorter leads, while the fuel injector and #4A fuel injector hose were also replaced as necessary (PRA 1992/1552).
- In June 1992, a recall was issued for Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe and Convertible models that were manufactured from June 1990 to August 1990 (inclusive) and with serial numbers in the range 174767 to 176089. In these vehicles, oil may leak from the crimping on the power-assisted high pressure power steering hose, resulting in a loss of power steering assistance. To fix, the original high pressure hose was replaced (PRA 1992/1638).
Problems and faults: Jaguar XJS
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 XJS AJ16: stalling
In November 1994, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 44-23 for Jaguar XJS vehicles with 4.0-litre AJ16 engines. In these vehicles, the engine may stall when the transmission is shifted to Reverse or Drive from Park; stalling was most likely to occur when the engine was cold. According to technical bulletin, either of the following could cause stalling:
- A restricted control unit oil seal in the transmission housing; or,
- A sticking torque converter control valve in the valve body causing partial engagement of the torque converter clutch.
Jaguar XJS AJ16: intermittent high idle
In April 1996, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 19-38 for 1995 to 1996 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with 4.0-litre engines and VINs in the range 194775 to 225822. Under certain driving conditions, some of these vehicles may occasionally exhibit a higher than target idle speed; this may occur under city driving conditions when there was no pressure on the accelerator pedal. According to the service bulletin, the throttle pedal, cable and adjustment were to be checked. If the condition was still present, the throttle spring was to be replaced with a stronger spring.
Jaguar XJS AJ16: MIL and DTC P0300
In February 1998, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 18-49 for 1996 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with 4.0-litre engines and VINs in the range 222632 and 224124. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0300 may be logged due to close software tolerances in the engine control module (ECM) rather than a mechanical problem with the engine. To fix, one or both of the Programmable Read Only Memories (PROMs), depending on the VIN, needed to be replaced with new PROM(s) from the appropriate modification kit.
Jaguar XJS AJ16: camshaft cover oil leaks
In January 1996, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-60 for 1995-96 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with VINs in the range 194775 to 224599. In these vehicles, torque specification (65 Nm) for the camshaft cover retaining bolts was revised from VIN 225600 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.
Jaguar XJS AJ16: valve timing change
In August 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-57 for 1995 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with 4.0-litre AJ16 engines. 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 XJS AJ16: spark plug specification change
In May 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-54 for 1995 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with naturally aspirated 4.0-litre AJ16 engines. In these vehicles, hotter spark plugs were installed in production from VIN 194775.
Jaguar XJS V12: rough idle/engine misfire
In November 1994, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 18-43 for Jaguar XJS vehicles with V12 engines. In these vehicles, rough idle and engine misfire conditions may develop after approximately 30,000 kilometres due to high voltage leaks between the spark plug wires and cylinder head bolts. New spark plug wire sets with revised routing were introduced for VINs after 195367 (engine number 8D 11717).
Jaguar XJS V12: hard starting
In November 1994, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 19-28 for Jaguar XJS vehicles with V12 engines and VINs in the range 687219 to 707625. In these vehicles, the driver may experience cranking times in excess of five seconds when attempting to start the vehicle when the engine is hot or warm. According to the service bulletin, damage to the O-ring that sealed the fuel pressure regulator to its housing could cause low fuel pressure during cranking, resulting in this hard starting condition.
Jaguar XJS V12: FF44 and FF45
In August 2001, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 18-57 for 1994-95 model year Jaguar XJS V12 vehicles with VINs in the range 188105 to 221234. In these vehicles, the ‘check engine’ malfunction indicator light may illuminate and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) FF44 and/or FF45 may be stored. According to the technical bulletin, these DTCs show an inconsistent reading from the heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) due to a slight degradation of the engine to body ground straps. To prevent this issue from recurring, two supplementary ground straps were to be added to all vehicles within the above VIN range.
Jaguar XJS V12: spark plug specification change
In May 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 12-55 for Jaguar XJS V12 vehicles with engine numbers after 8D 12479. 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 1990 MY and beyond XJS V12 vehicles, except the XJR-S.
Jaguar XJS: airbag lamp illuminated
In August 2002, Jaguar Cars North America issued an amended technical bulletin 17-12 for 1195 to 1996 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with 4.0-litre AJ16 engines and VINs in the range 194775 to 226645. In these vehicles, a high rate of EGR valves were replaced following illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) – this was understood to be a result of accumulated contamination within the EGR valve that could produce possible drivability problems such as rough idle, hesitation and difficulty starting. Following consultation with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Jaguar issued a recall for all vehicles with this engine to perform modifications, including the introduction of a cleaning cycle to the EGR valve. No such recall, however, was issued for Australia.
Jaguar XJS: poor hot starting
In January 1997, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 17-8 for 1995-96 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with VINs in the range 194775 to 226645. 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 XJS: Service Action S458 and air pump clutch
In August 1997, Jaguar issued an amended technical bulletin 17-9 for 1993-94 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with 4.0-litre petrol engines. In these vehicles, the operation of the AIR pump clutch was controlled by a relay located in the engine compartment. The contacts of this relay could become contaminated by the entry of water or cleaning solutions containing silicones. For affected vehicles, the AIR pump clutch relayed was to be replaced with a sealed unit.
Jaguar XJS: air conditioning compressor leaks
In September 1998, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 82-51 to advise that seal leakage from Sanden 709 A/C R12 air conditioning compressors (part no. CCC-4929) could be repaired using gasket and seal kits, such that the entire compressor did not need to be replaced.
Jaguar XJS: loss of seat and mirror adjustment
In July 1995, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 86-159 for 1994 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with VINs in the range 190528 to 192880. In these vehicles, the driver may experience a loss of seat adjustment or door mirror adjustment due to failure of the seat control module (SCM). To fix, the seat control module and the mirrors were to be replaced.
Jaguar XJS: erratic fuel gauge
In September 1994, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 88-19 for 1994 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with VINs in the range 190528 to 191261. In these vehicles, the fuel gauge may indicate more fuel than is in the tank and then suddenly drop to the correct reading. According to the technical bulletin, a tight float rod bushing in the fuel sender unit caused the float to stick. To fix, the fuel tank sender unit was to be replaced.
Jaguar XJS: bonnet difficult to latch
In November 1994, Jaguar issued technical bulletin 76-96 for 1994 to 1995 model year Jaguar XJS vehicles with VINs in the range 190528 to 196254. In these vehicles, the driver may have difficulty latching the bonnet due to friction in the latch pawl pivots. From VIN 196255, the latches were lubricated and revised latch back plates (cable end retaining brackets) were installed. To prevent inadvertent bonnet release, a release lever guard was introduced in production at VIN 194776.
Jaguar XJS: Other problems and faults
- General: changes implemented during its production mean that parts are not always interchangeable and therefore more expensive.
- Rust is a common problem. Rust in the rear radius arm mount points is a serious problem since it requires new mount points to be welded in.
- 5.3-litre V12 engine:
- Overheating may cause dropped valve seats. If this occurs, the cylinder head has to be removed and repaired, though the engine may require a rebuild.
- Overheating may be caused by failure of the rear O-rings on the GM A6 AC compressor.
- For early models, fuel hoses connecting each injector to the fuel rail have been known to crack and have fuel leaks, causing a fire. As such, the fuel hoses should be changed if they are dry and brittle and a technical service bulletin was issued recommending they be changed every five years. From 1992, the injectors were clipped into the fuel rail.
- The Marelli ignition rotor could fail, causing one of the cylinder banks not to get spark. As a result, the catalytic converter would fill with unburnt fuel. The driver may notice this through a loss of power and, if the engine is not shut down, the fuel will ignite and cause a fire. For this reason, it is recommended to keep a spare cap and radiator (with tools) on hand so that these can be changed and the vehicle can be driven. It is also recommended that the ignition cap and rotor are replaced annually.
- 6.0-litre V12 engine:
- The 6.0-litre V12 engine addressed many of the weakness in its 5.3-litre predecessor since it reached its operating temperature more quickly, it had a better cooling system and a Sanden AC compressor was introduced.
