[Ron4v]

Hi everyone!

I had some issues with my Jaguar and apparently it was the gearbox.

I ordered a replacement one (used) and it looks like the mechanics are not able to program it and suggested to get a new one.

As the car has been with them for more than 2 weeks now (1 week for the diagnosis and 1 week to fit the gearbox...), and only today after I had a sort of argument on the phone they called me back to say it doesn’t work and need to get a new one.

I am not saying I am not trusting them (recently moved so direct experience with them), but would like to hear if that could really be an issue, or they don’t have the right tools to program it.

Would love to hear some thoughts/suggestions as between gearbox, mechanic and car hire I am spending a lot of money here, and it is not really a great time for this..

edit: Jaguar XF 3.0 2012

 

[wilf]

Ron - are you able to get the car moved to a Jaguar-specific independent? I am assuming where it is now is NOT a Jag-specific garage?

The gearbox could indeed need "coding" to the car, and only a Jag trained technician will know how, or have the correct dealer-level tech to do it.

If you tell us whereabouts in the country you reside, we should be able to provide a recommendation.

 

[hamedhbb]

Can I ask what was the problem with your own gearbox?

 

[Ron4v]

Ron - are you able to get the car moved to a Jaguar-specific independent? I am assuming where it is now is NOT a Jag-specific garage?

The gearbox could indeed need "coding" to the car, and only a Jag trained technician will know how, or have the correct dealer-level tech to do it.

If you tell us whereabouts in the country you reside, we should be able to provide a recommendation.

Hi wilf and thank you for your reply!

Yes, it is not a Jag specific mechanic, as I neede the car fixed asap and it has 3 weeks now!

Very frustrating as they kept postponing without clear update, and also asked quite a loto of money for the fitting/reprogramming!

I am in Surrey.

 

[cutlea01]

Did this garage diagnose a fault, suggest the cure was a replacement gearbox, which you have supplied, and they then changed, which they now claim doesn't work, and want you to supply another brand new gearbox If so, none of this sounds right, but then we don't know what your original gearbox complaint was, care to enlighten us?

 

[Ron4v]

Can I ask what was the problem with your own gearbox?

Whilst driving, the car was loosing power and going on limp mode the first couple of times, then it was stopping directly. After a few minutes it was able to restart again but wouldn’t drive for long.

From the diagnostic they told me that a gear module or something similar needed to be changed, and in the Jaguar in order to do so they have to change the whole gearbox.

So I managed to get one (used) and shipped it straight to the garage last Wednesday. They told me it would be ready end of last week, but after they fitted it, I had to wait until today (after I called them 3 times this morning) to been told that it ia not possible programming it.
I asked if it would be possible with different tools or software, but they said not and that I will need to buy a new one.

Not ideal as I need the car and I had to hire another one until now, so everything is getting too expensive, hence Iwould like to make sure that spending 3+ thousands for a new gearbox is the very last option

 

[Ron4v]

Did this garage diagnose a fault, suggest the cure was a replacement gearbox, which you have supplied, and they then changed, which they now claim doesn't work, and want you to supply another brand new gearbox If so, none of this sounds right, but then we don't know what your original gearbox complaint was, care to enlighten us?

They told me there was a faulty gear module, but not really sure what that means. They added that in other cars it could be changed easily, but in the Jaguar will need to change the whole gearbox.

 

[cutlea01]

Ah, so you've changed the gearbox control box, not the gearbox itself?

 

[Ron4v]

Ah, so you've changed the gearbox control box, not the gearbox itself?

I got them the gearbox and the torque, so I guess it is the gearbox itself?
It is an auto 8 speed.

 

[cutlea01]

You've got yourself into quite a difficult spot. You've entrusted work to a garage/mechanic who by the sound of things, don't know what they're doing. The gearbox itself is not coded to the car as far as I'm aware, but the gearbox control module may need coding to the replacement gearbox. You should not have trusted such work to a non-Jaguar trained garage. I'd suggest you have the car removed from them and taken to a Jaguar specialist, along with the old gearbox. You will lose your money you have paid them to date, or they may ask more to release the unrepaired car. Plus this issue isn't going to get fixed quickly. Do not order a brand new gearbox. Do not allow the garage to further work on the car, you need a Jaguar specialist to now take over, if you can find one willing to get involved. If the garage becomes awkward, you may need to pursue through the courts and even then you may not recover your loss. Without knowing the exact diagnostic fault codes the car may have had that caused the loss of power, limp mode and full cut-out it will be impossible to advise. In many circumstances, a fault with the gearbox would display "Gearbox fault" on the dash and it will lock in 4th gear, not cause a power loss, but of course, without the fault codes, I can't make further comment.

 

[Ron4v]

Thank you so much for your reply.
With the long weekend I guess I am blocked until Tuesday anyway. They should give me a call tomorrow morning (they should have done it this evening, but...) about the price of the new gearbox, and will push to get the notification code or more clarity around what was wrong.
Also for diagnostic and fitting they’ve asked me £900. I believe it is a lot, but I just wanted (my huge mistake!) to get it done quickly.

How would you proceed if they would ask to get paid the full amount?

 

[hamedhbb]

There aren’t many zf gearboxes failing. If you didn’t see the gearbox fault. It could have been engine problem. Maybe that’s what they mean. They changed the box but it didn’t resolve the RP issue.

 

[wilf]

Any one recommend a good jag indy in Surrey?

 

[cutlea01]

First, you need to stay calm and not antagonise the garage, no shouting or telling them they're useless! The ZF gearbox is a very well respected and strong unit, they very rarely fail. I personally wouldn't allow them to work further on the car and would have a conversation with them to say that while they suggested a replacement gearbox would fix the fault, they have failed to fix the issue and clearly are not Jaguar specialists. Them saying changing a gearbox on any other make of car is easier than the Jaguar is quite a statement. Of note, the gearbox control unit, or module, is external and remote to the gearbox (and is easy enough to change). I would then say I'd rather the car was now worked on by a Jaguar Specialist and negotiate their fee for the work done so far, considering they failed to fix the original fault and may have incorrectly made you purchase another gearbox, they are not due the full fee of £900. It may be useful to also obtain all the fault codes they retrieved from the car, along with exactly what they believe was wrong to need a replacement gearbox, in writing. I do feel for you stuck in this not nice situation.

 

[idrobbo]

Have seen Surrey Jag Centre mentioned by a few on various sites (forums, Facebook).

 

[Ron4v]

Thank you all for your replies!

I managed to get a courtesy car at least for the weekend, so can do some errands before Easter. As mentioned I was hiring a car and using Uber here and there, not ideal (and expensive!).

I spoke who sold me the gearbox, and they confirmed it was working and waste tested before removing. They also added that would need to be programmed using SDD 1.3.0 or SDD 1.3.1

I passed this info to the garage and also asked for the faulty codes (via email so I also have everything in writing). Won't hear anything until Tuesday, so fingers crossed!

I was thinking: as the new gearbox has been fitted and everything, would it be worth to try to find some mobile programmers using one the above software and send them to the garage?

 

[cutlea01]

I was thinking: as the new gearbox has been fitted and everything, would it be worth to try to find some mobile programmers using one the above software and send them to the garage?

I think it highly unlikely anyone mobile has in-depth knowledge of SDD programming. It'd only be the Jaguar specialists who know this application and have the required computer equipment. There's a few FMs on here who are enthusiastic enough to have their own though. You likely need to have further conversations with the garage to ask them how they intend to proceed, considering they "told" you your car needed a new gearbox and they agreed a price to fit. Maybe they can talk to a Jaguar Specialist and arrange the required programming? You do have the slight upper hand now though, as they've suppled a curtesy car. Do NOT return it until you know the work on your car has been successfully completed or a solution to your satisfaction agreed.

 

[Ron4v]

I think it highly unlikely anyone mobile has in-depth knowledge of SDD programming. It'd only be the Jaguar specialists who know this application and have the required computer equipment. There's a few FMs on here who are enthusiastic enough to have their own though. You likely need to have further conversations with the garage to ask them how they intend to proceed, considering they "told" you your car needed a new gearbox and they agreed a price to fit. Maybe they can talk to a Jaguar Specialist and arrange the required programming? You do have the slight upper hand now though, as they've suppled a curtesy car. Do NOT return it until you know the work on your car has been successfully completed or a solution to your satisfaction agreed.

I had to call them a few times today, also sent an email and finally got an answer:

"In regards to programming the vehicle, we do not have that software. You are more than welcome to take the vehicle away and find a specialist to programme it and we will adjust your invoice for not carrying out programming?"

Obviously I am looking for a specialist now, but with regards to the invoice, should I just pay what they will ask, or should I try to keep the price low, as if they don't have the right tools/software should have not taken the job? Still no reply regarding the faulty codes...

Sorry for the "silly" questions, but I never had any issues in the past, and been new in the area I had to follow the reviews I found. Lesson learned to go only to Jag specialists though!

 

[cutlea01]

I'm surprised they took on the work to replace a gearbox of a "modern" car without knowledge of the work required, nor the specialist electronic diagnostic/programming equipment that modern cars demand. Ask them for their adjusted invoice, and go from there, but don't immediately pay it, consider or query it first. I also suspect, though there's no proof, that a replacement gearbox may not even have been required. Fitting such a unit also needs specialist transmission knowledge to even fill it with fluid, I'd suspect they may not have done this even.

 

[Ron4v]

I'm surprised they took on the work to replace a gearbox of a "modern" car without knowledge of the work required, nor the specialist electronic diagnostic/programming equipment that modern cars demand. Ask them for their adjusted invoice, and go from there, but don't immediately pay it, consider or query it first. I also suspect, though there's no proof, that a replacement gearbox may not even have been required. Fitting such a unit also needs specialist transmission knowledge to even fill it with fluid, I'd suspect they may not have done this even.

Agree... that is my concern... Got back to them asking again for the faulty codes and will keep you updated.

Thank you so much for all your help. Really appreciated and I owe you at list one drink!