JAGUAR XJ8 X308 alternator change, updates etc

Next in the Jaguar XJ8 (X308) re-commissioning, continuing to figure out what is behind the random error messages (TRAC fault, gearbox fault, ASC fault, failsafe mode etc etc) and diving in to fix things, maybe.
One by one I try different fixes, any of which might eradicate the Jaguar's error codes and subsequent breakdowns, seemingly not an uncommon issue with cars of this age, especially if they've been sitting for a while. These include checking and replacing earths, installing a new battery, and an alternator & belt change, accompanied by hours spent reading Jaguar XJ8 forum posts from others who have already been down this road with their ageing Jaguars.
Fortunately, none of the unplanned roadside halts have been insurmountable and I've been able to drive back home once codes have been deleted and the car given a stern talking to, but they are a little annoying.
Fans of older cars will no doubt welcome the Standard 8 jumping into action mid-way through this upload, and a mysterious roadside spot of an old car hidden beneath a cover. Maybe one day I'll find out what it is.
Anyway, much tinkering in this particular upload. Will the Jaguar ever run properly? Is it a lemon, as someone kindly suggested recently? Should I have left it mouldering outside a garage and simply carried on driving past? How difficult is it to replace an alternator on a Jaguar XJ8? Some of these questions will be answered in this video!
Please feel free to comment below the video, and give it a Like if any of it was of interest. Please also think about subscribing if a) you like this kind of thing b) want to be notified of future uploads. Thanks!
I also plan to publish just the bit about how to change an alternator on an XJ8 as a standalone video sometime, as some of the challenges the job faces might be of use to someone else out there also having problems with their Jaguar's charging system and alternator/generator.
If you know of anyone else who might find these Old Classic Car videos of interest, please forward one of the above links to them.
#jaguar #jaguarxj #jaguarx308

[oldclassiccarUK]

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[paulsmith]

My son had these issue’s with his car.which turned out to be incorrect battery and replacement battery needed to be coded to the car. Has been perfectly reliable since. Good luck tracking down your fault.

[stephenricketts]

I think changing the alternator was a big step in the right direction and a new battery with higher amp hrs will help even more. 11 Volts is quite low for a car of this size in fact I would say for most cars. 14 volts or a bit higher is much more acceptable and you did the right thing by turning everything off and then reintroducing wipers, heater, lights and radio and so on. Cleaning all the contacts with proper contact cleaner was also a good idea and that should not be confused with WD40. Whilst that product has its place proper contact cleaner may be a bit more expensive but it does a very good job, you can even clean up a soldered joint with it as well. As you pointed out this car has been sitting for a long time so all this work will be worth all the grazed knuckles and bruises! A very good video Rick and thank you for filming as much as you did. 👍👍

[helenlloyd]

Jaguar enthusiasts are blessed in the Swansea area to have such a fantastic independent Jaguar only repairs garage service. Owned by Jaguar enthusiast and many mechanics own Jaguars. Their customer services are brill.😊

[roygardiner]

Now that must have been very trying. I compliment you for your persistence and fortitude.
For myself, I really see the attraction of the small Standard saloon. Simple, easy to work on and charming, too.

[justhavinfun]

I had a Porsche that did many of the same things when voltage got too low. Loss of ABS, Stability management etc. it was a voltage problem solved with a larger capacity battery and new alternator. Viola no more warnings or troubles.

[louisboshoff]

Hi, saw a YouTube piece by contributor just a day ago. He appears to be a workshop technician, . He advised that on modern cars one should unplug all the multi pin plugs and reconnect them securely once in a while. The continyity accross the the tiny little pins and the female receptors can over time become erratic causing error codes. You Jag also stood for long which would make it worse. Good luck, I hope you resolve the cars electronic issues!

[Michael-hgky]

Terrific video and electrical session. I have a 2004 XJR with a few electrical gremlins I have been trying to chase down for a while and this has been a very informative education as to your methods and showing in detail how you approached each trial solution. Keep up the great work and for making them.

[peterriggall]

Your perseverance will pay off in the end Rick. Disappointing about the alternator however it is now something that should be good for many years. I bet that battery was expensive. Had to buy two recently and boy….. got a shock. Hope it cures your problems.

[suzyhornsby]

Hi rick, another great vid.nothing worse than cars failing.was goin suggest may need code in alternator.enjoyed your vid, well done with your repairs.❤

[aslandama]

Another great tinkering video Sir, thanks for sharing.

[colinmuddell]

Excellent 'tinkering' video! The old cars without all the modern electronics are so much simpler to diagnose and work on. Lovely car though, and I hope you get it fixed. Mr Toyota's products don't seem to suffer many reliability problems, but I agree they don't have the character of a Jag. I shuddered seeing you driving up the ramps, having had an unfortunate episode myself with ramps. They have been consigned to the local tip and I now rely on a trolley jack and axle stands. What an ingenious method of pushing back the bush on the alternator fixing!

[Squirel]

I see what you mean about needing patience - I'm not sure I would be as cool about this issue as you are. Still, as a process of elimination, you are certainly taking the right steps. Apart from the battery itself (which you are currently taking care of), the only thing I can think of is the connection between the battery and the engine such as a damaged cable. She's such a beautiful car, I hope you solve this problem.

[roberttaylor]

Your modern Jag may look fancy but with all the inaccessible bits, computers etc, it has proved a real faff to maintain and be reliable. As an old joke says: It like breaking wind Annie Laurie through a key hole may be clever but is it worth it? Lol. Straight six Jags of yestertimes were so much easier to work on, But I admire your persistence and bravery in fighting the technology - and gave the chance of another vid. Good luck and good motoring.! Rob

[davidchandler]

Interesting problem. I think you're on the right track regarding checking the earths and other electrical connections. I might also be tempted to look around for 2nd hand ECU as well as even if it's not that it might be useful to have one as a spare. There's always the possibility of some bad wiring caused by rodents while it was laid up before you bought it. Might also be worth double checking that all the other electrical instruments and gizmos are functioning as they should even things like door and boot lights which might have a high resistance earth. Best of luck.

[roberttaylor]

OCC, Thank for reply and I agree about the fact that old cars can have problems as I know only too well, but my point was and is that older cars were less computerised, had less fancy things like electric windows etc. and far, far easier to work on. All the Jag models you quote I claim are modern, wildly electricity hungry, computerised and far too clever for themselves. The problems you are having and the admirable way you are trying to sort them is both admirable and enjoyable but if I had the money and chance to make a choice I would be high-tailing me to a 3.4 Mk2! I hope you efforts succeed and you may have more confidence in going further than a few miles. With thanks and high praise for the OCC family! Rob

[PeterSalter-uf]

You have the patience of a Saint. Perhaps you should consider teaching unruly students the mysteries of the internal combustion engines as an alternative career!

[robertblair-ukph]

Throttle position sensor fault is a good indicator it's your throttle body at fault. Another common issue on these. The TPS is part of the assembly and generally, you just have to replace the whole unit. There may be companies out there who can repair them now but that is a very common issue (albeit more common to the earlier X308 with the earlier throttle body) and absolutely causes the symptoms you've had. The ABS module resolder is something you can try at home, but then the throttle body would be my next target.

[tomday]

I feel sorry for your issues. Such a great looking car to have so much plastic under the bonnet. I guess that's the direction anymore. While you were under the car it looked very good most places with what looked like a transmission cooling line very corroded in the foreground looking toward the alternator. I guess Jaguar didn't believe in galvanized or stainless tubing/fittings? I know the car has miles on it, but... Good luck with tracking down the issues, Rick. You are a dogg-ed warrior!

[ianturner]

Great video it is so frustrating when this sort of issue reoccurs. Research suggests a new battery and as you described … this will help as these big cats do need a good battery so the forums say. Also I remember the Wheeler Dealers XK8 that Mike bought that continually went into limp mode with very similar message codes I remember. Edd changed the throttle bodies and the problem was sorted … worth a closer look on yours??? Best of luck though getting it sorted