Cruise not available preceding high engine temp

KELLIE CARTER

MEMBER
JAGUAR XJ6

I just bought a 2002 x-type jaguar with 38,000 miles and love it, however the other night while driving it a warning signal came on cruise not available followed by high engine temp, the temp gauge went up to 3/4 did not go to red area. I pulled over popped the hood and the engine was not hot nothing smoking, etc. Turned the car back on and it was gone. Drove for another 10-15 miles and did it again, turned the car off and turned back on and it was gone, and if it cleared itself. I got home, the next morning drove it back and forth to work nothing. Today I had to take my mom to doctor and after driving 40 miles did it again, I continued to drive just to see what would happen and it drove no different just with warning signals, could it be the heat sensor on the car? I love it and I hoping its nothing major, just traded my nissan pathfinder in and it had no problems, and I completely paid the car off.I'm just concerned. Please help. I want to know more before I take it into the dealer and have to pay an arm and a leg for it to be fixed. The dealer assured me the would help off set the costs, but I want to know something so I'm not ripped off, it you know what I mean. Thanks for your help.

3 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,395 POSTS

I understand your concern about the warning signals and potential issues with your 2002 Jaguar X-Type. The symptoms you described could indicate a few different possibilities, and it's important to diagnose the issue accurately to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Here are a few potential causes for the warning signals you experienced:

Coolant System Issues: The high engine temperature warning might be due to a malfunctioning coolant temperature sensor, a failing thermostat, or a problem with the coolant circulation. It's also possible that there's a coolant leak, which can cause intermittent temperature fluctuations. Check the coolant level and look for any visible leaks.

Electrical Glitch: Sometimes, warning lights can be triggered by electrical glitches or sensor malfunctions. This could explain why the warnings disappeared after you turned the car off and on again. It might not necessarily be a major issue, but it's still something that should be addressed.

Cruise Control System: The "Cruise Not Available" message could be related to the same electrical glitch or a separate issue in the cruise control system. These types of systems can sometimes be sensitive to fluctuations in other parts of the car.

Given the age of the vehicle, it's also possible that some of the sensors or components are starting to show signs of wear and tear.

Here's what I recommend:

Check Coolant Level: Open the hood and check the coolant level in the reservoir when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is low, top it up with the appropriate coolant mixture. Look for any visible leaks under the vehicle as well.

Inspect Wiring and Connections: Check the wiring and connections around the temperature sensors and cruise control system. Loose or damaged connections can sometimes trigger false warning messages.

OBD-II Scanner: If the issue persists, consider getting an OBD-II scanner (On-Board Diagnostics) to read any stored error codes in the car's computer system. This can provide more specific information about what might be causing the warnings.