Help! EML light on.

CarcerDun · July 26

Hi, newbie here and recommended here by a family member. I have a 2019 sportbrake, which is without doubt the best car I’ve ever owned. Anyways just started a family holiday today and have driven from the UK down to Strasbourg. Tomorrow I need to get to Germany for a week and then down to Switzerland for the following week. Around one hour down from Calais my eml light came on static amber and had stayed there for the whole trip, I spoke to my mechanic who said it needs to be plugged in to find the fault but as long as it’s driving normally and not in limp mode it could be a simple fix.

Does anyone have any advice here? Do Jaguar even exist in Germany or should I trust a local auto electrician garage who hopefully speak English?

I know the risks and have breakdown cover and will try to find a local mechanic on Monday.

Patch58 · July 26

Could be as a simple as a faulty fuel filler cap but you need a code reader plugging in

Big John · July 27

Hi John

As Glyn said, you need to get the codes. Any garage will be able to get at least the basic codes (there are Jag specific ones that need a dedicated diagnostic computer) and will be able to give at least a general diagnosis. They will also be able to reset the EML. You should be able to buy a Code reader (they are about £30 on amazon or eBay but probably more if bought in a european equivalent of Halfords. Assuming that your issue is a simple one (they often are) simply being able to reset the code if it keeps coming on with your reader may allow you to finish the holiday and get home. As long as the car does not go into limp mode it should be fine to keep driving. Limp mode is designed to enable you to get to a garage....

I Think the german equivalent of Halfords is ATU. https://www.atu.de/

Good luck

John

CarcerDun · July 27

Many thanks. Heading off to Germany now so will see if I can find a reader on route.

Big John · July 27

Hi John

Assuming you manage to get to your next destination ok 🤞, I would be tempted to call out your breakdown cover people at that point as they should be able to at least give you a diagnosis and hopefully either sort it at the roadside or take it to someone who can before you need to move on to your next destination. Obviously when calling them, the light will have just come on for the first time 🙂

Good luck

John

Patch58 · July 27

👍

N6 JMX · July 27

German Jaguar Dealers are very good and very helpful. Depends where you are, but Baden Baden and Kempen are both places I have had occasion to talk with them and both times very helpful. Jaguar is sometimes hidden behind Ford and Volvo at smaller German towns. Getting codes read should be simple.

N6 JMX

Patch58 · August 1

Hi all can a bad auxiliary battery bring up the eml ?

Big John · August 1

1 hour ago, Patch58 said:

Hi all can a bad auxiliary battery bring up the eml ?

Not as far as I know. Have you read the codes?

John

Patch58 · August 1

Hi John can't seem to get the code up, erased the light last time car is running perfect that's why I changed the fuel cap but its come back on again, think my battery might be on its way out though its at least 5yr old if I don't use it for about 3 days vents don't open and get low battery message but the light originally came on after doing a 360 mile trip to Cornwall but it brought me back with no worries that's why I was thinking it was something simple ?

Big John · August 1

Pretty sure the main battery showing its age can do all sorts including throwing the EML. How old is the main battery?

Patch58 · August 1

At least 5yr old

CarcerDun · August 1

Thanks again for all the advice in this thread. So I took my XF to ATU on Monday and they suspect it was battery related, which is strange as I had a new battery fitted a couple of months ago. Anyways, the light is now out and hasn’t come back since and they advised to find a Jaguar dealer if the light came on again, as their readers couldn’t go deep enough!.

Also I was advised that AGM batteries only last 4-5 years and mine was approaching that when it started losing charge.

Patch58 · August 1

1 hour ago, CarcerDun said:

Thanks again for all the advice in this thread. So I took my XF to ATU on Monday and they suspect it was battery related, which is strange as I had a new battery fitted a couple of months ago. Anyways, the light is now out and hasn’t come back since and they advised to find a Jaguar dealer if the light came on again, as their readers couldn’t go deep en

1 hour ago, CarcerDun said:

Thanks again for all the advice in this thread. So I took my XF to ATU on Monday and they suspect it was battery related, which is strange as I had a new battery fitted a couple of months ago. Anyways, the light is now out and hasn’t come back since and they advised to find a Jaguar dealer if the light came on again, as their readers couldn’t go deep enough!.

Also I was advised that AGM batteries only last 4-5 years and mine was approaching that when it started losing charge.

Also I was advised that AGM batteries only last 4-5 years and mine was approaching that when it started losing charge.

1 hour ago, CarcerDun said:

Thanks again for all the advice in this thread. So I took my XF to ATU on Monday and they suspect it was battery related, which is strange as I had a new battery fitted a couple of months ago. Anyways, the light is now out and hasn’t come back since and they advised to find a Jaguar dealer if the light came on again, as their readers couldn’t go deep enough!.

Also I was advised that AGM batteries only last 4-5 years and mine was approaching that when it started losing charge.

Big John · August 2

On 8/1/2024 at 6:35 PM, CarcerDun said:

Thanks again for all the advice in this thread. So I took my XF to ATU on Monday and they suspect it was battery related, which is strange as I had a new battery fitted a couple of months ago. Anyways, the light is now out and hasn’t come back since and they advised to find a Jaguar dealer if the light came on again, as their readers couldn’t go deep enough!.

Also I was advised that AGM batteries only last 4-5 years and mine was approaching that when it started losing charge.

Hi John.

Glad you got it sorted. And thank you for coming back to tell us how you got on, it really helps future visitors to be able to see issues and resolutions rather than issues and advice. 🙂

Yes batteries (not just AGM ones) are a consumable, and the battery in any modern car, including the XF has a heavy life running the network of computers and constant stop/starting. Personally I would always recomend using a battery maintainer (I use the CTek Stop/Start) weekly or at least monthly to maximise its life.

Thanks again for updating us.

John

Big John · August 2

20 hours ago, Patch58 said:

At least 5yr old

...Time for a new one I think 🙂

John

Patch58 · August 2

thanks John 👍

johnnienosocks · August 9

Does a 2002 XK8 require any special type battery - need replacement ? Thanks.

Patch58 · August 13

On 8/2/2024 at 2:01 PM, Big John said:

...Time for a new one I think 🙂

John

hi john engine light still on but got the code which is P245A says exhaust gas ? any idea's,car is running perfect

Big John · August 14

Hi Glyn

P245A is EGR valve. Ideally you need a fuller code from a reader than can identify the Jag speciffic suffix code but you probably have a gunged up EGR. This might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ta9zHS7JTc

I decided, when I first bought mine, to try and use only Shell V diesel to try and minimise "carbon build-up" issues. 6 years and 60k later it has worked so far (touching wood as I write this).

Hope that helps

John

Big John · August 14

On 8/9/2024 at 4:33 PM, johnnienosocks said:

Does a 2002 XK8 require any special type battery - need replacement ? Thanks.

Hi John

Just go to any of the usual website such as Halfords or Kwikfit, type in your reg and you will have the correct spec for your car.

Regards

John

CarcerDun · August 14

Hi,

So I got home but had more issues with my eml light. ATU in Germany implied it was battery related but was able to reset it. Since then and whilst still on holiday the light came on again, then went off and remained so until we got off the train and has remained on ever since. Has dealer can’t book me in until mid Oct so wondered if there is a decent reader I can buy that can get me the codes?

i also put the battery on charge all day yesterday and it quickly went into maintenance mode and stayed there.

One other thing, the garage that replaced my battery a few months ago said they had an issue with registering the correct battery in the car. So I’m now wondering if that could be the cause to this I.e the car thinks the wrong battery is installed and therefore is misbehaving.

I sadly rely on the car so am having to still drive with the eml light on and it’s fully functional still. I’ll continue to try find a garage to help but was hoping there was any advice about getting the code myself or alternatives. Thanks

Patch58 · August 14

1 hour ago, Big John said:

Hi Glyn

P245A is EGR valve. Ideally you need a fuller code from a reader than can identify the Jag speciffic suffix code but you probably have a gunged up EGR. This might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ta9zHS7JTc

I decided, when I first bought mine, to try and use only Shell V diesel to try and minimise "carbon build-up" issues. 6 years and 60k later it has worked so far (touching wood as I write this).

Hope that helps

John

Hi John thanks for the reply,yeah seen that video i have been using dipetane every fill up to try and avoid it , I should have touched that wood lol

Jon Hyde · August 15

Hi John,

If getting to Pulborough, West Sussex is possible for you, I'd recommend a chat with the people at Arun Automotive. They're an independent Jaguar specialist and have the 'proper' Jaguar code readers. Also not as expensive as a main dealer.

Good luck!

Jon