Owning a Jaguar is a pleasure and a privilege that not many drivers get to experience in their lifetime. Jaguar vehicles are luxurious, dependable, and powerful; however, they still run into their fair share of problems like all other vehicles on the road today. Despite their exceptional design and engineering, Jaguars have common problems associated with various parts and systems that should be anticipated with the help of a trained Jaguar specialist. One of the most common problems Jaguar drivers experience is failed anti-lock braking systems (ABS) due to a faulty accumulator.
If you’re lost with the automotive jargon already, don’t panic—we’ll go over some of the most basic information you need to know about your Jaguar’s ABS system’s accumulator. In this article, we’ll talk about what the ABS accumulator does, common signs of failure, the potential causes, and what you can do now to resolve the issue and prevent problems from arising again.
The ABS accumulator plays a critical role in your brake functioning. Your car is made up of many different parts and systems that require hydraulic pressure in order to function. This is most evident in the systems that utilize hydraulic fluids, such as the braking system and the transmission. This hydraulic pressure “accumulates” as energy and power are stored when the car is idle or not expending it during acceleration or braking. When your Jaguar’s ignition switch is turned, the ABS pump should turn on as well, which generates the power from the pressurized system and transmits it to the brakes. If this pressure cannot build, then you’ll run into issues with your brakes.
The most common sign that your Jaguar’s ABS accumulator is failing is that your brake pedal will be non-responsive. Usually you’ll notice this problem immediately upon turning on the car, as you put the brake on the pedal to put the car into gear. Usually you can feel the built up pressure releasing as you push down the brake pedal, and you’ll notice a significant difference in the “feel” of the brake pedal. As you can imagine, this can be a dangerous problem to encounter if the symptoms onset suddenly.
The ABS system is complex, and the accumulator itself is comprised of different parts and functions that can take a wrong turn at any moment. In Jaguar vehicles, the accumulator utilizes a diaphragm to help build and hold the pressure. If the diaphragm splits or ruptures, it can release the pressure, and even worse, fill with fluid, leaving no space for pressurized air to build. If the accumulator is bad, then it will need to be replaced. The part alone is relatively inexpensive, but labor can cost an arm and a leg—so be sure to find a reputable Jaguar automotive shop in town.
It’s critical to enlist the help of a Jaguar specialist to detect where your ABS issue is coming from; however, if the problem is indeed traced back to the accumulator, it’s essential that a Jaguar specialist can order the correct OEM parts for your car and install them accurately. Knowing the common issues associated with Jaguar vehicles, a specialist can anticipate the problem and know what to look for. This will not only give you peace of mind, but it will ensure that your money goes to the right place the first time, saving you expenses in unnecessary repairs.
The first and most important thing you should do for your Jaguar is to have it looked at by a Jaguar expert. They will engage in a series of diagnostic steps to make sure that your pressure accumulator is working properly in your ABS system. First, they’ll pump the brakes to see if the fluid level changes as the accumulator expels pressure. Once the engine is started, the accumulator should re-build pressure. If this doesn’t occur, then you’ll likely need to replace the accumulator. As we mentioned before, this is a relatively affordable process, assuming you find the right shop to handle your repairs.
Pro Car Mechanics, serving Gardena, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Glendale, and Anaheim, CA, are the leading independent European auto repair specialists in the area. As the number one dealership alternative for European imports, we provide services for Jaguar drivers at up to 30% lower costs than nearby dealerships and competing shops. If you’d like to schedule an appointment to look into your ABS accumulator issues, or would simply like to learn more about our approach to automotive care, please contact us directly. We look forward to hearing from you!
* Jaguar Sports Car image credit goes to: ian35mm.
* Jaguar F-Pace 2016 on Road image credit goes to: teddyleung.
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