Flickering Headlights

[StevenS]

Many thanks for these recent posts - i will go through them in detail and do the various checks suggested

My hopes of driving with the infotainment unit switched off were dashed this morning - lights still flickered despite screen being off !!

i will need to wait until the weekend to cover some of the above - but will update further on my findings

Thanks for the advise and support so far - fingers crossed !!

[SSO]

Hello.

I've been a visitor here since buying my F-Type nearly three years but never got around to joining until now, as the symptoms you've described Steven are pretty much exactly what I've been experiencing for the last few months.

I have a MY16 V6 340 and also have the split second loss of electrical power - in mine windscreen wipers also stop mid-swipe, at the same time as the infotainment screen and lights flick off. I also hear the sound of relays switching, coming from both the boot and the passenger footwell. I'm no mechanic or auto electrician but it seems logical to me that it's a broad power issue. Like yours, I can go days with no problems and then it'll happen multiple times during a portion of the next trip.

My local dealer has diagnosed that the gear selector module might need replacing but I'm not going to spend hundreds of pounds on a speculation. My local independent Jag specialist has described it as being too difficult a problem to trace without even looking at it. I am therefore watching this thread with great interest and with a huge amount of hope that one of the incredibly knowledgeable folk on here will come up with the solution.

I'm going to get the front wheel off and clean up/protect the connection stud in the arch this weekend and once that's done, will also disconnect the battery earth as described in other threads as a means of fixing confused software. With a heavy heart though, I'm slowly coming to accept that I'll most likely be either making an appointment at webuyanycar.com or trading it in.

[simpleR]

Posted as is, hope this is correct and helps, but please check part numbers with a supplier:

I've just been having a chat with my contact. Based on XJ - Apparently common on MY10-MY16 XJ's and was always either a loose negative battery terminal or failing that the indicator stork. The stork sends an invalid signal to the control module which it cannot process which results in a momentary electric "blip". Common when turning left and in bad cases where lights don't come back on can be resolved by tapping on the end of the stork where the trip computer button is. Should record a fault code as control module cannot process the request.

The original part on F-Type was C2Z5018 for MY14-MY16 but was superseded by an updated and improved part C2D53495 for end of MY16-start of MY17 so issues should be limited to MY16 and older cars. Parts catalogue for updated part says £206.42 + VAT. No coding required, a competent mechanic with correct tools can fit or 1 hour labour to complete and test.

As I said, hope this helps.

[Tel]

Thank you. Will give it a go.

Searching for something that might be the cause. Screen blacks out as headlights flicker. Just don’t know which is causing the other. Lights and head unit seem to work fine until the problem comes along

It definitely feels like a bad connection / bad earth type problem but no idea why the lights and screen are linked

Will keep trying !!

Here's a few places to try before hoiking out the screen.
Firstly both the LH and RH main dipped beams sigs come from the main JB: I would like you to (after removing the battery +ve) remove the following and re-seat them:

C31F and C31T, located as follows:

Then move onto C3BP01 F and D, located:

We need to be sure that these connections are good, BEFORE delving into the dash now and into oblivion. Whilst you are delving into these areas, it's a good idea to check that all connections are seated and look well. Remember that they are thrown together very quickly in the factory and are likely to be loose or partly making connection.
Let us know how you get on.

[StevenS]

Tel, Many thanks for this - the level of detail is very helpful - i will be in amongst all of this come Saturday !!

Will keep all updated

Steven

[StevenS]

simpleR - thanks for your response - i have had the indicator stalk replaced as i picked that up on Google / US forum - sadly hasn't made any difference other than to my bank balance !!

Will keep trying the advice as it comes in !!

[scm]

it's a good idea to check that all connections are seated and look well. Remember that they are thrown together very quickly in the factory and are likely to be loose or partly making connection.

I can attest to that - my MY18 suffered random power losses which was traced to the connector on the fuel pump not being properly seated. One click and the fault was cured.

Good luck, just be methodical!

[StevenS]

All,

I am going to make a start on all the advice given today - but just before I do that can I just check something

If / when I disconnect the battery to do some of the checks is it a simple reconnect process or is there something about battery resetting that needs done ( by a specialist ? ). I guess battery will be disconnected for a few hours and intent is to remove it from the car to ensure nothing trapped etc.

Any advice, again, much appreciated.

[RPSN]

It’s a simple reconnect process but you may have to reset the window motors afterwards which is easy enough to do (see below). I also had to reset the instrument panel display as there was a horizontal line showing instead of the Jaguar Logo.....again, easy to do.

Hope you find and rectify the fault.

[Jaguandy]

I've read you should switch off the car with the boot open and wait maybe 10 mins before disconnecting the battery, gives shutdown processes a chance to complete. Maybe fairy dust, maybe true.