[xj40] CHARING LIGHT ON DASH ON--FUSE 1 FAILURE

XJ40
1

I have a 1990 XJ6 Vanden Plas (XJ40) whose ‘‘Charding’’ light
came on while driving. (Fourth Symbol on the left hand
error display).

I, of course, did some immediate tests on the battery and
from those readings determined that it was the alternator
(115 Amp). The AMP guy was surprised and said the alt
looked fine, but regardless, took it apart, turned it,
replaced the brushes, and bearings and poof, I put it back
into the car (I have a write-up on that I will soon rmit to
the list).

Upon placing back in–poof! Same light on the dash.

Secondary troubleshooting found a FUSE 1 failure when I turn
the ignition key on, then press VCM. It Flashes: Fuse 1,
then PRO, then FAIL. Not sure what that means.

I surmise that either FUSE 1 (where is it? And is there a
listing of all the fuses on the car here?) is bad or
something in its related circuitry.

As I am dog-fighting a ‘‘Transmission Light’’ failure
also–I’m not a happy camper.

Questions:
1.) Where is FUSE 1?
2.) What does the VCM flashing code mean? Fuse 1, then
PRO, then FAIL?
3.) Is there a print out of all the VCM codes somewhere?
4.) Is there a place I can read to truly operate the VCM to
its highest potential?
5.) And finally, why is the sky blue?

Any responses will be greatly appreciated.

RLCII–
RLCII
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2

In reply to a message from NYCBullet sent Sat 4 Jun 2005:

To respond to your questions:

  1. ‘Fuse 1’ indicates a blown fuse in ‘Circuit 1’ which is one of
    the fuses in the fuse box at the base of the RH ‘A’ pillar.
    [‘Circuit 2’ (i.e code ‘Fuse 2’) is the box at the base of the
    LH ‘A’ pillar and ‘Circuit 3’ (i.e. code ‘Fuse 3’) is the centre
    armrest fuse box]. Each of these fuse failures should be
    accompanied by a ‘lightning flash’ warning lamp on the dash.

  2. ‘Fuse 1’ I described above. ‘PRO’ is in fact the word ‘PAD’
    (believe me!) and is a brake pad wear warning fom one of the pad
    sensors or its circuit. ‘FAIL’ is a brake boost pressure and / or a
    low brake fluid warning on your '90 car from the TEVES brake system.

  3. There used to be a complete list of the VCM fault codes in the
    XJ40 on-line book (link is always at the top of the Forum page) but
    I notioce that in that section 12, there now only appears a small
    selection. [Anyone know what happened to the complete list???].
    The other places to see the complete list for your car are in the
    XJ40 Haynes Manual (available from all good booksellers), and the
    factory Service Fanuals now available in CD-Rom form from JDHT (see
    link on main J-L site for info on how to mail order). If your car
    is a 4.0 litre the CD is JHM1153, for a 3.2 Litre JHM1171 and for a
    3.6 Litre JHM1172. They list all the fuses too and much, much more
    of course.

  4. Whilst Haynes and the basic Service Manuals on the CD-Rom I
    mentioned above cover the subject pretty well, if you want more
    detailed information, you should also order a further CD from JDHT
    which contains Supplementary Information including the OBD1
    Diagnostic test data explaining how the codes are set and info on
    how to determine the cause. The one for your car is JHM1130 - a
    mine of usefull information.

And finally, 5) - I hope the sky remains blue because I’m off on a
short vacation now and I’ll be interested to read if you’ve solved
your problems when I return in a weeks time!!–
The original message included these comments:

1.) Where is FUSE 1?
2.) What does the VCM flashing code mean? Fuse 1, then
PRO, then FAIL?
3.) Is there a print out of all the VCM codes somewhere?
4.) Is there a place I can read to truly operate the VCM to
its highest potential?
5.) And finally, why is the sky blue?

–
Bryan N, '91 Sovereign 4.0 L, (RHD)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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3

And as to question number 5,
<[http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html]>

Dave Lokensgard
'96 XJR (DAVZCAT)
'90 Sovereign (MELZKAT)
'90 Vanden Plas Majestic (PATZCAT)
'55 XK140 OTS
Poway, California

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4

In reply to a message from NYCBullet sent Sat 4 Jun 2005:

Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that the thing you called
the ‘CHARDING’ light - the fourth one down on the left side warning
light panel - is in fact the ‘lightning flash’ indicating that you
have a blown fuse - which of course you now know.

If your car had a CHARGING problem, the warning icon on the far
left of the horizontal row of lights would be illuminated. That is
possibly why your AMP guy found nothing wrong with the alternator.–
The original message included these comments:

I have a 1990 XJ6 Vanden Plas (XJ40) whose ‘‘Charding’’ light
came on while driving. (Fourth Symbol on the left hand
error display).
I, of course, did some immediate tests on the battery and
from those readings determined that it was the alternator
(115 Amp). The AMP guy was surprised and said the alt
looked fine, but regardless, took it apart, turned it,
replaced the brushes, and bearings and poof, I put it back
Upon placing back in–poof! Same light on the dash.

–
Bryan N, '91 Sovereign 4.0 L, (RHD)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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5

In reply to a message from NYCBullet sent Sat 4 Jun 2005:

Just remembered - I posted something a while ago which may help you
identify the warning icons - this from the XJ40 archives:-

Starting from the top left and working around in a counter
clockwise direction there are 22 warning icons on a 1990 car:-

1 Transmission failure
2 Low windshield Washer fluid
3 Bulb Failure
4 Circuit (Fuse) failure
5 ABS Failure
6 Low Fuel
7 Check Engine Light

8 Ignition light and Battery / Alternator fault
9 Handbrake ‘ON’
10 Caravan indicator fault
11 Left direction indicator

12 Right direction indicator
13 Headlamp Main Beam
14 Brake System Fault
15 ‘Sport’ mode

16 Low Coolant Level
17 High Coolant Temperature
18 Door(s) Open
19 Boot (trunk) Open
20 Seat Belt not fastened
21 Low Oil Pressure
22 Exhaust Temperature (Japan only?)

NOTE:- From 1991 cars, the ‘Sport’ Mode icon (#15) and
the ‘Handbrake ON’ (emergency brake) icon (#9) were swapped around.–
The original message included these comments:

I have a 1990 XJ6 Vanden Plas (XJ40) whose ‘‘Charding’’ light
came on while driving. (Fourth Symbol on the left hand
error display).

–
Bryan N, '91 Sovereign 4.0 L, (RHD)
Cambridge, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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6

In reply to a message from Bryan N sent Sat 4 Jun 2005:

WHY IS THE SKY BLUE AND IS THERE A STANTA CLAUSE?

Well, I troubleshot the car most of the day, and found the
CHARGE LIGHT (not Chardging as I had erroneously put in the
original message).

It turned out to be a FUSE: in the RIGHT HAND (PASSENGER)
Fusebox assembly right near where the door opens up. This
whole assembly (as Brian N noted) is in fact, caleld FUSE 1.
FUSE 2 is the LEFT (Drivers side) Fusebox assembly, with
the remaining FUSE 3 being the CENTER CONSOLE>

Now, the FUSE 1 SPECIFIC FUSE FAILURE was in fact, a 15 AMP
(red) fuse in the first row, fifth one down ‘‘FRONT BELT/A/C
BELT ASSEMBLY’’ (or something to that effect.

I did in fact, have a worn belt that was squeeling terribly,
so I replaced them when I rebuilt my Alternator.
Apparently, the belt was slipping enough to cause
‘‘overvoltage’’ (an amp surge) somewhere when the car was
apparently in a ‘brown out’ condition.

The new belts work wonderfully, (a mere $7 and $12
respectively).

Someone mentioned that the Haynes Manual has the VCM Fault
Codes–however; a cursory review of my manual does not have
any of those codes.

‘‘IF’’ these codes were on Chapter 12–they should be replaced
as it would be smart to have them there.

As far as getting the CD, I am seeking one ‘by hook or
crook.’ I have my eyes on a shop manual and when I am rich
enough, I will purchage it.

I’'m till hunting down my Transmission Light Failure.

RLCII–
RLCII
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