Same problem, Same dealership (archive)

I am taking my car in for the same problem to the same dealership,(Troy) after reading your post however I'm inclined to leave it alone as I only get the howling noise briefly at 15-20MPH on particularly cold (-freezing) mornings I do have a more high pitched whistling whine though at higher speed which is what I believe the propshaft replacement is for. Perhaps I should wait until there is a proper fix for the howling. Did you ask about the hard bushing material you had mentioned from Edmunds in an earlier post? I did and the dealer had not heard but was going to check.

I honestly don't know how to start this post, but to say that I am frustrated is a bit of an understatement... First of all, let me describe my service experience and share with you all the information that I gathered from it. I took my 2.5 X-type, Sport, Auto with a built date of 11/01 for service regarding the cold start howling noise, sunroof one touch opening malfunction, global open/close using the remote, and lack of front door puddle lights. Some of you may be aware that this is my second service regarding the driveshaft noise. During my first service visit, Jaguar of Troy, Michigan, changed the entire driveshaft. The whole service experience was very pleasant if not soured by the occurrence of another totally different type of noise emanating from the driveshaft on cold morning starts. I took my car in on March 14th at 0830 and was out driving the loaner that Jaguar of Troy provided me by 0900. The loaner was a beautiful black 2000 S-type 4.0 with navigation and voice activation. This "loaner" was loaded with all of the toys, a real beauty... I received a call from Marcus, my pleasant service rep. at around 2 in the afternoon informing me that my vehicle would not be ready for pickup until the following day. I didn't mind since I was driving a very nice car in the meantime. At around 9 A.M. March 15th, Marcus calls telling me that the repairs were completed and that I can pick my car up anytime after 11, stating that they need some more time to detail the car. Shortly past noon, I went to pick up my X-type and sadly turn in the S-type. I really enjoyed driving the S-type, the 4.0 liter is really powerful. Marcus was ready with my printout on his desk. He proceeded to explain to me some of the things that were done to the car.
1) The cold start howling noise (according to him) is now a very recognized problem with the X-type, something that the company is very much aware of, with all kinds of service bulletins being issued. Unfortunately, there is NOT a real fix for the problem, other than changing the entire driveshaft. However, the dealership is doing this not because it is a know cure, but simply in hopes that it does cure the problem. Unfortunately for me, it HAS NOT!!! I went out with my wife this evening and after the car was parked for roughly one hour, with the temperature in our beautiful state of Michigan a cool 34 degrees, when I left the parking lot, both my wife and I were rudely interrupted with an obnoxious howling noise that not only occurred around 20 mph, but also at 50 mph. The problem is worse than ever now...
2) The sunroof problem was repaired by resetting the "module" and reprogramming it. I guess this involved disconnecting the battery because after I took delivery, the time on my clock was incorrect and I had lost my preset stations on the radio. Problem fixed.
3) The global open/close with the remote DOES NOT EXIST FOR X-TYPE, ONLY S-TYPE (at the moment). My service technician called the tech. center in New Jersey, and according to him was on the phone with them for roughly an hour. They finally came to the conclusion that it was not yet possible to program that on the X-type. But he said to check back in a few months, they might figure out a program by then.
4) Front door puddle lights are not functional on cars with the Sport Package, they are only deflectors. Even if you have the Premium package like myself, if you also have the Sport package, then the lights are not going to work.
Again, my service experience was very pleasant. My service advisor was very informative and cooperative. The "loaner" was luxurious and a joy to drive. They completed the repairs in a timely fashion. However, and I'm not blaming Jaguar of Troy, cause I know they tried, my main problem is not fixed and I am very frustrated. I plan on calling my dealership first thing Monday morning to inform them that the problem has not been remedied. I don't want to take the car in again for service until they have a proven fix for it. I paid close to $40,000 for this car, and I truly love it, but unfortunately I don't have the luxury of time to keep taking it back to the dealership for repairs. I hate to say this, but I'm starting to think about contacting my lawyer regarding the Lemon law. I believe it states if a vehicle is taken in for service more than three times for the same problem and it is still not fixed, I am entitled to a refund. For anyone that just purchased the X-type, congratulations, it's a wonderful car. Unluckily for me, I have one that has a howl that wont' leave and refuses to be fixed. Mike, Jon, I pray your cars get fixed, as for me, I'll be patiently waiting...

Follow Ups:

Re: Same problem, Same dealership Tot Doc 19:01 3/16/2002 (0)

[ Follow Ups ] [ X-Type Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.