Ben - it's quite a coincidence you posted this. I've been having exactly the same problems for the past couple of months, and was thinking of writing a post myself.

The problem is intermittent, and just like your car, it can mostly be rectified by turning the key off and back on again. I had a poke around in the fusebox/relay area, making sure that all the connections were good, and that seemed to rectify the issue for a while. I managed a long journey and back, with the car parked outside at an airport for a week in between, without any problems. Then the next day, it came back again after just a 5-mile trip to the store.

The car started by giving "low brake fluid" warnings, but when I went to top it up, I found it was completely full. Then the ABS warning light would come on sometimes at start-up, although it usually went out after a few seconds driving. Then the big one - "stability control failure", which happens around half the time now. The biggest nuisance is that when the stability control warning is on, it also knocks out the 'sport' mode (like I need stability control on the freeway!). I can definitely feel a difference in the handling too, so it seems to be a genuine malfunction rather than just a dickey warning light. But the intermittent nature suggests it's something fairly simple, and probably electrical. If I hand it over to the dealer, I'm sure it will be a big bill for something that I can probably fix myself.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/04/2016 - 12:01

had the throttle body rebuilt, after installing the throttle body. I did a reset with the battery connections for 5 min. turned the key for one min, the car starts but will not let me place the car in gear. the oil gauge will not come up nor battery volts, check engine lights on, abs, brake light. I have no idea what to do to fix this problem. please help if you can. thanks.

Submitted by keith.anderson… on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 16:35

Steven:
You were able to quickly respond to Ben, Glynn and Andre's problems, perhaps you can help me with my neighbor's 2002 Jaguar XK8. The "stability control failure" light stays on constantly. But the car seems to drive normally. Is that likely to be a specific sensor?
I help my buddy keep all his older British cars running, but anything with a computer is beyond my expertise. Thanks for any help you can give.
Keith Anderson- Brandon, MS

Submitted by desp8838@bells… on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 07:27

Thank you Steven,

Do you have the same expertise with the XJS ? I so please look at my forum on brakes posted yesterday.

Cheers.

Michel

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 21:48

Ben--
What you describe fits the pattern for an ABS speed sensor fault. I think you should find someone capable of reading ABS codes and see if you don't have a speed sensor code stored. Quite possibly a fault is present for a front wheel speed sensor. Most likely a link harness to a front wheel has a break internally and when the wheels turn or it flexes with the suspension just right it goes open. That sets a fault and can show the warnings you see. When the car is restarted and reaches about 10 mph the ABS checks itself and says all is copacetic.......... until it turns just right again and resets the fault.

Glynn--
Your description fits a pattern for a break in one or more circuits in the fuse/relay box above the LF wheel. I have run into several cars over the years that fit your symptoms. The warnings or messages can vary quite a bit, but the giveaway is a low brake fluid or low coolant warning message showing up along with other faults like ASC or Tracs Not Available, but the fluids are NOT LOW. It almost always requires a new fuse/relay box.

Andre--
Yours fits a different pattern yet. I think you have a failed brake pedal switch. If you were to have the codes read I believe you will have a P1571 fault stored that would confirm that. [one caveat, some generic code readers cannot read corporate codes; this code IS NOT an OBDII code]
The giveaway here is the fact it seems OK as long as the cruise is OFF. When the cruise is on, a failure at the pedal switch will be monitored, and when it can't see the pedal activation yet the car slows or stops, it knows that's not right and sets the fault, shows the warning, and disables the cruise control.

Bear in mind these are the MOST LIKELY causes of the symptoms you all have noted. I'll give each kudos for listing symptoms as complete as you have.

Cheers,

Submitted by desp8838@bells… on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 19:58

I had the same problem with my XK8 1997, mostly stability control failure coming on from time to time without any reason. I turned off the cruise control switch on the consol for few weeks and the problem was cured. However Tal may be right it could be a grounding issue.

Cheers

Michel

Submitted by talburkett@gmail.com on Sat, 11/24/2012 - 16:48

Ben, I've not had the type of fault issues with my 97 XK8 that you seem to be having, but I have had those faults on my 928 Porsche, the cause of which turned out to be grounding issue in various places in my instrument pod, fuse panel and main body ground strap. I'm just playing devil's advocate here and suggesting that you make sure all your electrical panels have proper grounding. Just a thought towards finding the gremlin.

Submitted by morgigman@yahoo.com on Sat, 11/24/2012 - 07:30

Every so often I get a warning that the engine is in safe mode or that the anti skid is not available or problems here and there. If I stop and turn the car on and off most times the problem, check engine etc lights go off.
Is there a simple computer replacement. Am I on the right track.