N6 JMX

Hi Garry, not aware of anyone remapping a NA 5.0 litre XK, but several have undertaken this on the 5.0 litre XKR and have certainly noticed the difference, especially when combined with other tuning details. The folks at Paramount and Elite should be able to advise you, but most of the remapping is undertaken utilising Viezu maps. N6 JMX

Hi Gala, if you place your mouse cursor over your profile avatar - to the left of the post you are making, it allows you to go to your profile on the site and, if you don't have too many posts, you can easily find what post you are seeking. Simples! N6 JMX

It looks like a Series 2 XJ, produced between 1973 and 1979, but seriously modified by shortening the floorpan / chassis / roof and re-engineering the doors. Front bumper with the over riders is definitely of the Series 2 genre. Possibly started life as an XJC - the rear window, and rear quarterlight, and roof angles are more coupe than saloon in appearance, but cannot understand why anyone would go to this length to modify what is now a very rare and sought after model - if it were an XJC version originally that is. The door in view shows it was probably "engineered" by grafting the front end of a saloon's front door onto the whole of a saloon's rear door - to sit in the profile of the wheel arch. The front quarterlight in the saloon would have had a vertical trailing edge, whilst your photo shows an angled backwards trailing edge - akin to the XJ-S of the day. No Jaguar though ever had a single door that was profiled to the wheel arch on its trailing edge - rear door yes. Originally the Series 2 XJ was available as a short or long wheelbase 4-door saloon and the pillarless coupe came along in limited numbers part way into the production cycle. Your photo shows a car that has been cut and shut, albeit it may well have been a professional job in it's day. Something wrong with the registration though. The B plate is from 1983, which would be much later than the original donor car registration, PLUS, DVLA shows that B420 AGE was originally issued on a Silver coloured Vauxhall Nova, which this certainly isn't, in September 1983 - so maybe not as professional as first impressions. Interesting if others can shed more light on the machine. N6 JMX

For future info, where the vehicle is fitted with an Auxiliary Battery, this feeds the electronics whilst the vehicle is operating in start / stop mode, maintaining a constant 12V supply to the sensitive electronics. If you find, over time, that the start / stop function fails to operate, it can be due to either battery beginning to fail. The main battery obviously provides the capacity to physically crank start the vehicle, whilst the Auxiliary battery provides the stable voltage. Too many restarts in a short space of time, as in crawling traffic, will drop the main battery to the point where it automatically switches off the stop / start functionality until such time as the main battery has recharged itself with engine running. Typically a main battery in a stop / start vehicle will be of the AGM style, and 5-years should be considered as the typical lifespan of the battery before replacement becomes a need. N6 JMX

Hi Garry, that sounds like a plan. Please report back with what you learn. N6 JMX

Hi Dr Daryl, there are existing posts on this Forum regarding the non-availability of OEM updated navigation discs for those XK that are fitted with the DVD style Satnav System. As is oft times the case, there are 2 opinions as to the viability of the updated discs. In my particular case, I cannot advise that folks purchase "updated" discs from well known auction sites as they are effectively pirate discs that, in some instances have done more harm than good, i.e. they have corrupted the system and rendered the touchscreen inoperative. As many functions are controlled via the touchscreen in a Modern XK, this is NOT a good outcome. Despite having a "Jaguar" style label on the disc - very easy to achieve with a copier - discs after 2012 are NOT Jaguar sourced. On the other side sit those who have managed to source replacement DVD from internet auctions sites, claiming to be circa 2019 vintage, and have had no issues when loading these into the boot mounted DVD player. In essence, you pay your money and take your chances. Personally, I rely on alternative navigation devices now as the original discs are significantly out of date and next to useless. The alternative is to seek out a suitable automotive technology company who can install Apple CarPlay / Android Auto in a Modern XK - it is a little more involved / difficult in a 5.0 Litre car than the earlier 4.2 Litre cars. N6 JMX

Hi Garry, the back box is only a part of the entire exhaust system and the "drone" being experienced is the result of the entire exhaust system - the noise made by the system appears at the tailpipes - not in the middle. Accordingly, changing only the centre section to remove the silencers contained there, will change the entire exhaust note that emanates from the tail pipes. Changing the back box and leaving the centre section silencers in place will also change the exhaust note, but there is a chance that version will be too fruity - lots of pops and bangs on overrun. As intimated earlier, visit one of the performance exhaust websites and check out the videos, with sound, of there various exhaust upgrade options. N6 JMX

Incidentally, whilst neither of the 2 x garages in Banchory carry out the MoT, they do have an arrangement with the local station so they can organise that for you so it becomes a one stop shop for all aspects of what you need. N6 JMX

Hi Garry, an alternative would be to replace the centre section of the exhaust with one from Paramount Performance or Adamesh (think they both provide the same parts actually). These delete the centre silencers on the NA XK, making for a fruitier sound from the engine. Modifying / changing the back box is a bigger task and may give a note that is more irritating on a longer journey. If you visit the Paramount Performance website, they have videos, with sound, of some Jaguars with modified exhausts. N6 JMX

Hi Ava, happy to recommend both Framor on Tillybrake Road and RM Motor Repairs at the Burn o' Bennie Business Park. For Framor, call 01330 823884, probably Jenny will answer. Framor do have a website Car Servicing in Banchory : Framor Motors For RM Motor Repairs, call 01330 558118, ask for Reese. RM you will find on Facebook, not sure they yet have a website sorted. In some instances it is best to visit the shop and both will be happy to talk to you and understand your issues. Both are usually quite busy, hence the reasoning for offering both garages details. N6 JMX

If you purchase the replacement cable and undertake the task yourself, should be very inexpensive. N6 JMX

Replacing the bonnet release cable is a common maintenance issue on the X-type. Best to undertake the work before the cable gives up as releasing the bonnet after the cable has broken is quite involved / difficult. In addition, the existing cable can be used to thread the new cable into place. N6 JMX

Given your additional post regarding difficulty closing the bonnet on your car, may I suggest the red light and the bonnet not closing are linked issues! N6 JMX

The 2 lights you refer to seem to be indicators that there is a message which can be read in the message centre, immediately below. The amber light seems to be related to the fact it's cold outside, according to your message centre indication. The red light typically means that one or more doors / boot / bonnet are not closed properly. The following is from another forum: "You have a message centre, little LCD panel that displays mpg, miles, etc. just below the speedo? That red light is the message centre warning light. Does your message centre display a message / fault? There's a long list of faults that RED indicates, from door ajar to abandon vehicle and take cover! According to the Handbook there should be an associated message displayed on the LCD readout. The only REDs that do not have an associated message are: Restricted performance Security failed" Hope this helps. N6 JMX

Hi Garry, yes I can see the rear silencer, but there are also 2 x silencers at the mid section, which is not shown in your photo. One of the "tuning" options that folks choose is to replace the centre section of the exhaust with straight through pipes, i.e. removing the central silencers. This does have the effect of making the car sound rortier. Need to check that central silencer box is there. Failing that, then the last remaining option is that your SAM valves are stuck open, resulting in the pops and bangs on the overrun. These are just visible in your photo, ahead of the tail pipe, there is one on each side of the muffler. They are not serviceable, but a local mechanic might be able to check and try freeing them off. Don't have any other suggestions for now. N6 JMX

Hi Trevor, if you go to Paramount Performance, there are a number of Jaguar V8 upgrades featured on their website, including exhaust system changeouts with switchable straight through pipes. There are videos, with sound, included, you just need to search through the "Jaguar V8 Exhausts" to find them. N6 JMX

Hi Sidney, did you change the battery yourself or did a garage / superstore / mobile technician do it for you? In some cases, the car needs to be told via the Jaguar diagnostics system that it has been fitted with a new battery - this resets the alternator charging pattern. Assuming your new battery is fully charged and that your previous battery was low / very low, it is probable that the warning lights and associated fault codes to be read with a code reader (OBD unit) are stored from the time the previous battery caused the system to see low voltages. Your first step should be to read the fault codes and clear them from the car. This will give a fresh start to the brain. If you have your own code reader and know how to use it, connect it and clear the codes as per the unit instructions. If not, then you should be able to drive it to your local friendly garage who can plug in the diagnostics to the OBD port and clear the codes there. May also be able to update the BCM to tell it there is a new battery installed. Incidentally, the fault lights you mention are "typical" of those seen from a poor / low voltage battery. Come back and let us know how you progress. N6 JMX

Hi Ava, where are you within Aberdeenshire as there are a number of local garages throughout the Shire that offer decent quality services to Jaguar owners. I am in Banchory and lucky enough to have 2 x trusted mechanics and a bodyshop to call upon. The gearbox can be given a simple service such as oil and filter change by a competent mechanic, which if you are unsure of the car's history would be a good start - especially if it is "snatching", "clunking" or reluctant to change gear. A rebuild would be something else though and require a transmission specialist, which your local mechanic can usually access through their network. N6 JMX

Hi Dr Daryl, you will find multiple sources for Jaguar XK key fobs on eBay and other similar sites, but the safest way in many respects is to order a brand new key via a Jaguar dealership. There are several issues to be aware of regarding used keys from the internet: 1. Not all of the adverts are as they might first seem. Some, the really inexpensive versions, have no circuit board inside, i.e. they are simply the case with the buttons. You will need to source a key, of the same lozenge design as your existing key fob, complete with the internals and a battery. 2. The second hand key fobs from the internet should have the emergency key included, but it would need to be a blank so a locksmith could cut it for your lock - as per your current original. 3. Once you have a key, it will need to be programmed to the car and for that you will need a garage with the correct Jaguar specific software (SDD) and diagnostic equipment, and someone who knows how to use it. You will also need to provide proof that the car is yours and that the key you purchased is to be programmed to your car. Typically a Jaguar dealership would undertake this for a small fee, although there are others / independents who will claim they can do it. 4. You may find that in regard to the Modern XK, there are specific actions when reprogramming a key - like the programming first "divorces" all keys from the car, meaning you end up with no keys if the technician does not know what he's doing, hence the advice to stick with the dealer option. 5. Also bear in mind that Jaguar used different frequencies for the remote key transponders in different parts of the world. Check the markings on your existing key fob as it should show the frequency you need, in MHz. N6 JMX

Hi Alan, cannot say with certainty, but given that the Sportbrake and the Saloon are on the same floor pan, it should fit. However, that may not be a given as there are other factors to consider. Your XF Sportbrake is relatively new and therefore falls into the "New XF" category - production since 2015, whilst there was / is an earlier XF, which did include for a Sportbrake model, if the item for sale were to have come from the earlier model (2008 - 2014), there is a chance the floor layout could be different. Another consideration is the fact that the illustrated item is an 18-inch space saver, which is okay if your car is fitted with standard wheels, tyres and brakes. However, if your car has big brakes then the 18-inch space saver will not work, meaning you would be looking for a 19-inch version, which in Jaguar OE terms would be black in colour, not orange. If you truly want a space saver, there are aftermarket companies offering these kits and one such company is Road Hero and they have appointed Kwik Fit as their Agency. You can visit the Kwik Fit website and under "offers" it is a simple task to type in your registration number and order a space saver wheel kit to be collected from your local Kwik Fit depot. N6 JMX

Hi Peter, if you were to explore this site a little bit further, you would find there is actually a "For Sale" section at the bottom of the listing - scroll down until you come across it. N6 JMX

Hi Matt, yes you can disconnect the battery to charge it off the car, just first refer to your Handbook to see if you need any reset codes, e.g. radio, before you pull the terminals off. You may also require to reset any window operation for one-touch, but I am not overly familiar with the intricacies of the XF. The easiest way to find out the age of your battery is to locate the battery, as you are about to do. Many batteries have a date on top of them which shows when they were manufactured. This date will help you figure out how old your car battery is. However, if the battery is undated, you can usually, but not always, find a code on the battery or battery cover. The first two characters on this code will tell you when the battery was manufactured. The first character is a number, ranging from 0 to 9. This tells the last digit for the year of manufacture, for example, 9 would be 2019. The second character will tell you the month of manufacture, from A - L (January to December). For example, K would be November, so 9K or K9 would be November 2019. The first two characters are interchangeable depending on who makes the battery. N6 JMX

Hi Garry, if your car's settings are in normal driving mode, then the 5.0 litre NA XK should not be making pops and bangs at any point in normal driving. Are you certain that your car has the standard NA exhaust system fitted? The image below should be what is under your car. Note that there are aftermarket tuners who will create exhaust system for your car that eliminates the centre silencer and this will allow the engine / exhaust note to be "fruitier". Note, if you click on the image it should open as a separate window and allow you to magnify the image to see close-up views. N6 JMX

Hi Matt, not familiar with your particular battery tester readings, but it does not look to me as though it is telling you the battery is good. Certainly during the cranking test the voltages recorded are extremely low. Both John and I have tried to point you at the car's battery, but so far I haven't seen a response that indicates the age of the battery - do you know how old it is? Your SDD screen shot is effectively saying no communication to / from the various modules and that to me indicates that the battery has gotten to such a low ebb, the modules have disconnected. As John highlights, the next steps are to ensure the battery (and the earth connections) are good and if the non-communication still persists, the car needs a complete reboot, which requires a specialist, with the correct tools and knowledge. Not aware of any specialists within your immediate area, so more searching will be required. N6 JMX

Hi Phil, there is currently at least 2 XKR convertible on the JEC Classifieds site that could fit your needs, these are listed for sale via a "trusted trader", i.e. not direct from the enthusiast owner. Both of these are black exterior, one has ivory interior whilst the other has the black / charcoal interior. Dealer's website is in the link below: http://www.mpmlimited.co.uk/ I am also aware of possibly the best XKR Convertible currently for sale in this country and it happens to be in Norfolk, being sold by a true enthusiast owner. It is Italian Racing Red with the Charcoal interior. If you want to be put in touch, drop me a PM with your email address. N6 JMX