XK 2007 Instrument cluster - help!

[RoMie T]

Need your expertise…

My car’s alarm lights start to flicker and draw power from the battery, there is no way to stop the process while it’s happening until the battery is dead. And the car can only work again after a jump start.

I brought the car to a “specialist garage” that found out “after extensive testing the instrument cluster is defective”. 

Jaguar doesn’t produce or repair the instrument cluster for this model anymore. 

Here my questions:

- Anyone of you with a similar problem was able to “get rid” of the issue and how?

- Is it possible to repair the defective instrument cluster, where?

- Is it possible to install and successfully reprogram an used instrument cluster from a different car/same model? 

Any other way to go around this issue and have a reliable drivable car? 

 

[N6 JMX]

Hi RoMie, this is quite an unusual set of problems on a Modern XK, but not unheard of. I do fear however that you may have a mixture of faults to contend with.

The first and obvious fault is the main battery, how old is it and is it in good condition. The ability to start the engine in the car is no longer a safe indicator that the battery is in good condition since the sensitive electronics of a Modern XK will rapidly start to display and store a plethora of faults - including dash lights going haywire - when the battery is in less than ideal condition, so check that area first. If it is more than 5 years old, think about replacing it.

Secondly, with a 2007 car, the auxiliary alarm package, which contains a set of rechargeable batteries also begins to fail and cause unwanted issues, including the alarm sounding off. I believe this auxiliary alarm package is located under the bonnet, close to the firewall but underneath the actuator of the pedestrian safety system - the cannister with the airbag label attached. In failure mode, this package often emits a loud clicking noise, similar to a home smoke detector, but more frequent. These are generally available to purchase, but use the VIN to obtain the correct part.

Lastly, if your Instrument Cluster has failed, and that is again not unheard of, then it can usually be repaired by suitably knowledgeable technicians. The last time I heard of someone needing to have the Cluster repaired, they used a company called "TotalTronics" who offer a service whereby you can take the car to them and they will remove, repair and replace, or you can remove the Cluster yourself, send it off and they turn it around in a day - a great service I am advised. Removing the Instrument Cluster is not overly difficult with the correct tools. However, should you feel the need to locate a replacement Instrument Cluster, be prepared for a world of pain. As well as needing to be reprogrammed to the car, it needs to have the mileage updated to what your car currently has, plus I understand that the keys for the keyless entry are programmed through the Instrument Cluster. All of this would need access to a garage with the appropriate Jaguar Specific versions of the software and someone who knows how to use it. A repair option would be the safer bet.

Good luck and post back with how your progress goes.

N6 JMX