1997 JAGUAR XJ6 climate control

Heating system
The heating system consists of two blower
fans, one under the dash on the right and one
on the left, and a heater core located within
the heater/air conditioning assembly which is
under the dash and behind the console.
Hoses connect the heater core to the engine
cooling system. Heater function is controlled
by the heater/air conditioning control head on
the dashboard. Hot engine coolant is
circulated through the heater core. When the
heater mode is activated, a flap door opens to
expose the heater box to the passenger
compartment. A fan switch on the control
head activates the blower motor, which forces
air through the core, heating the air.
Air conditioning system
The air conditioning system consists of a
condenser mounted in front of the radiator, an
evaporator mounted in the heat/air
conditioning assembly behind the console and
under the centre of the dash, a compressor
mounted on the engine, a filter-drier which
contains a high pressure relief valve and the
plumbing connecting all of the above.
A blower fan forces the warmer air of the
passenger compartment through the
evaporator core (sort of a radiator-in-reverse),
transferring the heat from the air to the
refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant boils off into
low pressure vapour, taking the heat with it
when it leaves the evaporator. The
compressor keeps refrigerant circulating
through the system, pumping the warmed
coolant through the condenser where it is
cooled and then circulated back to the
evaporator.
2 Antifreeze/coolant-
general information
Warning: Do not allow antifreeze
to come in contact with your
skin or painted surfaces of the
vehicle. Rinse off spills immediately withplenty of water. Antifreeze is highly toxic if
ingested. Never leave antifreeze lying
around in an open container or in puddles
on the floor; children and pets are
attracted by it’s sweet smell and may drink
it. Check with local authorities about
disposing of used antifreeze. Many
communities have collection centres which
will see that antifreeze is disposed of
safely. Never dump used antifreeze on the
ground or into drains.
Note:Non-toxic antifreeze is now
manufactured and available at local car
accessory outlets, but even these types
should be disposed of properly.
The cooling system should be filled with a
water/ethylene-glycol based antifreeze
solution, which will prevent freezing down to
at least -20° F, or lower if local climate
requires it. It also provides protection against
corrosion and increases the coolant boiling
point.
The cooling system should be drained,
flushed and refilled every 24,000 miles or
every two years (see Chapter 1). The use of
antifreeze solutions for periods of longer than
two years is likely to cause damage and
encourage the formation of rust and scale in
the system. If your tap water is “hard”, i.e.
contains a lot of dissolved minerals, use
distilled water with the antifreeze.
Before adding antifreeze to the system,
check all hose connections, because
antifreeze tends to leak through very minute
openings. Engines do not normally consume
coolant. Therefore, if the level goes down, find
the cause and correct it.
The exact mixture of antifreeze-to-water
you should use depends on the relative
weather conditions. The mixture should
contain at least 50-percent antifreeze, but
should never contain more than 70-percent
antifreeze. Consult the mixture ratio chart on
the antifreeze container before adding
coolant. Hydrometers are available at most
car accessory outlets to test the ratio
of antifreeze to water (see illustration). Use
antifreeze which meets the vehicle
manufacturer’s specifications.
3 Thermostat-
check and renewal
2
Warning: Do not attempt to
remove the radiator cap, coolant
or thermostat until the engine
has cooled completely.
Check
1Before assuming the thermostat is
responsible for a cooling system problem,
check the coolant level (Chapter 1), drivebelt
tension (Chapter 1) and temperature gauge (or
light) operation.
2If the engine takes a long time to warm up
(as indicated by the temperature gauge or
heater operation), the thermostat is probably
stuck open. Renew the thermostat.
3If the engine runs hot, use your hand to
check the temperature of the lower radiator
hose.
Warning: Do this check with the
engine off. Do not get your
hands near the fan blades. If the
hose is not hot, but the engine
is, the thermostat is probably stuck in the
closed position, preventing the coolant
inside the engine from travelling through
the radiator. Renew the thermostat. Do not
drive the vehicle without a thermostat. The
computer may stay in open loop and
emissions and fuel economy will suffer.
4If the lower radiator hose is hot, it means
that the coolant is flowing and the thermostat
is open. Consult the Troubleshootingsection
at the front of this manual for further diagnosis.
Renewal
5Disconnect the battery negative cable.
Caution: If the stereo in your vehicle is
equipped with an anti-theft system, make
sure you have the correct activation code
before disconnecting the battery.
6Drain the coolant from the radiator (see
Chapter 1).
7Remove the bolts from the thermostat
cover (see illustration). If the cover doesn’t
3•2 Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems
3261 Jaguar XJ6 2.4 An inexpensive hydrometer can be
used to test the condition of your coolant
3.7 Remove the two bolts (small arrows)
holding the thermostat cover to the
housing (large arrow)

metal bracing that has a very sharp edge
(see illustration 10.2b). Apply some heavy
duct tape to the edge of the brace before
beginning work in this area, or you could
injure your hands.
4On the passenger’s side, under the dash,
remove the screws holding the plastic cover
where the heater pipes enter the heater/air
conditioning housing (see illustration).
5With the cover off, there is access to
remove the four Allen bolts holding the two
pipes to the heater core (see illustration).
6Move to the right side and unbolt the
climate control computer and pull it down and
away from the heater/air conditioning housing
(see illustrations).
7Remove the four small screws and remove
the plastic plate over the heater core, right
behind where the climate control computer
had been (see illustration).
8Carefully slide the heater core out from the
right side of the heating/air conditioning
housing (see illustration). Note:Keep plenty
of towels or rags on the carpeting to catch any
coolant that may drip.
9Refitting is the reverse order of removal.
When refitting the heater core, make sure all
of the foam insulation strips are in place and
refit new O-rings where the heater pipes enter
the core (see illustration).
10Refill the cooling system, reconnect the
battery and run the engine. Check for leaks
and proper system operation.
12 Heater and air conditioning
control assembly- check,
removal and refitting
4
Warning: Later models are
equipped with airbags. To
prevent the accidental deploy-
ment of the airbag, which could
cause personal injury or damage to the
airbag system, DO NOT work in the vicinity
of the steering wheel or instrument panel.
The manufacturer recommends that, on
airbag-equipped models, the following
procedure should be left to a dealer service
department or other repair workshopbecause of the special tools and
techniques required to disable the airbag
system.
Removal and refitting
1Disconnect the battery negative cable.
Caution: If the stereo in your vehicle is
equipped with an anti-theft system, make
sure you have the correct activation code
before disconnecting the battery.
2Refer to Chapter 11 for removal of the
console heater control/radio assembly trim
bezel.
3Remove the mounting screws retaining the
heater/air conditioning control assembly to
the console (see illustrations). Pull the
assembly out, and disconnect the electrical
connectors.
3•10 Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems
11.4 Remove these screws (small arrows)
to remove the plastic plate over the heater
core pipes on the left side11.5 With the cover off, remove the Allen
bolts (arrows indicate three of the four) to
pull the coolant pipes out of the left side of
the heater core11.6a Remove three screws (one arrowed;
one at the top-back and one below) to take
out the climate-control computer on right
side of heater/air conditioning assembly
11.6b Pull away the climate control
computer (arrowed)11.7 Remove the four screws (arrowed)
and the heater core cover plate11.8 Pull the heater core out to the right
3261 Jaguar XJ6
11.9 Retain the original foam insulation on
the heater core or transfer to the new
core, and replace the two O-rings
(arrowed)
12.3a Remove these six screws (arrowed)
to release the control panel/radio
assembly from the console

4Refitting is the reverse of the removal
procedure.
5Run the engine and check for proper
functioning of the heater (and air conditioning,
if equipped).
Control checks
6The climate-control system uses an all-
electronic control panel that sends digital
information to the climate control computer.
There is little the home mechanic can do to
troubleshoot or test the system. The factory
recommends that diagnosis be performed at a
dealership.
7If there is a problem in just one area of
climate control, put the controls through their
entire range of operation and check the
system responses, i.e. set the controls to
COLD, the fan to low and the temperature to
65° F. In this mode the Manual LED should be
lit and the air conditioning compressor should
engage. Try all of the fan speeds and try the
temperature on HOT, then feel for warm air
coming from the ducts. Note:Between each
try of the different controls, wait 20 seconds or
so for the heater/air conditioning system to
adjust before checking for a response.
8When each control button is pushed two
times, its LED light should go on or off. Renew
the control assembly if any of the warning
lights don’t work.
9On 1988 and 1989 models, if the climate
controls do not respond to any driver input,
check with your Jaguar dealer before
renewing the ECU or control panel. A service
part is available (a resistor, #JLM 1901) that
can be installed at one of the control panel
terminals that may fix the problem without any
other parts being renewed. Instructions are
included with the part.
10Check the vacuum lines to the several
vacuum motors that operate the heater/air
conditioning functions. Look for pinched or
blocked hoses and leaks.11Each of the vacuum “servo motors” in the
system can be checked with a hand-held
vacuum pump (see illustration). Apply vacuum
and watch that the door or control it operates is
working.
12Further diagnosis of the controls or
climate control ECU are best left to a Jaguar
dealership or other qualified repair facility.
13 Air conditioning and heating
system- check and
maintenance
1
Air conditioning system
Warning: The air conditioning
system is under high pressure.
Do not loosen any hose fittings
or remove any components until
the system has been discharged. Air
conditioning refrigerant should be properly
discharged into an EPA-approved
recovery/recycling unit by a dealer service
department or an automotive air
conditioning repair facility. Always wear
eye protection when working near air
conditioning system fittings.
1The following maintenance checks should
be performed on a regular basis to ensure that
the air conditioner continues to operate at
peak efficiency:
a) Inspect the condition of the compressor
drivebelt. If it is worn or deteriorated,
renew it (see Chapter 1).
b) Check the drivebelt tension and, if
necessary, adjust it (see Chapter 1).
c) Inspect the system hoses. Look for
cracks, bubbles, hardening and
deterioration. Inspect the hoses and all
fittings for oil bubbles or seepage. If there
is any evidence of wear, damage or
leakage, renew the hose(s).d) Inspect the condenser fins for leaves,
bugs and any other foreign material that
may have embedded itself in the fins. Use
a “fin comb” or compressed air to remove
debris from the condenser.
e) Make sure the system has the correct
refrigerant charge.
2It’s a good idea to operate the system for
about ten minutes at least once a month. This
is particularly important during the winter
months because long term non-use can
cause hardening, and subsequent failure, of
the seals.
3Leaks in the air conditioning system are
best spotted when the system is brought up
to operating temperature and pressure, by
running the engine with the air conditioning
ON for five minutes. Shut the engine off and
inspect the air conditioning hoses and
connections. Traces of oil usually indicate
refrigerant leaks.
4Because of the complexity of the air
conditioning system and the special
equipment required to effectively work on it,
accurate troubleshooting of the system
should be left to a professional technician.
5If the air conditioning system doesn’t
operate at all, check the fuse panel and the air
conditioning relay (refer to Chapter 12 for
relay locations and testing). See Sections 4, 9
and 12 for electrical checks of heating/air
conditioning system components.
6The most common cause of poor cooling is
simply a low system refrigerant charge. If a
noticeable drop in cool air output occurs, the
following quick check will help you determine
if the refrigerant level is low.
Checking the refrigerant charge
7Warm the engine up to normal operating
temperature.
8Place the air conditioning temperature
selector at the coldest setting and put the
Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems 3•11
3
3261 Jaguar XJ6 12.3b Remove the four screws (three are shown here) holding the
control assembly in the control/radio housing
12.11 Check the operation of the vacuum servo motors; in this
case, vacuum is applied to the servo on the right blower case -
the flapper door (arrowed) should operate

blower at the highest setting. Open the doors
(to make sure the air conditioning system
doesn’t cycle off as soon as it cools the
passenger compartment).
9With the compressor engaged - the clutch
will make an audible click and the centre of
the clutch will rotate. After the system reaches
operating temperature, feel the two pipes
connected to the evaporator at the bulkhead
(see illustration).
10The pipe (thinner tubing) leading from the
condenser outlet to the evaporator should be
cold, and the evaporator outlet line (the
thicker tubing that leads back to the
compressor) should be slightly colder (3 to
10° F). If the evaporator outlet is considerably
warmer than the inlet, the system needs a
charge. Insert a thermometer in the centre air
distribution duct while operating the air
conditioning system - the temperature of the
output air should be 35 to 40° F below the
ambient air temperature (down to approxi-
mately 40° F). If the ambient (outside) air
temperature is very high, say 110° F, the duct
air temperature may be as high as 60° F, but
generally the air conditioning is 30 to 50° F
cooler than the ambient air. If the air isn’t as
cold as it used to be, the system probably
needs a charge. Further inspection or testing
of the system is beyond the scope of the
home mechanic and should be left to a
professional.
11Inspect the sight glass (see illustration).
If the refrigerant looks foamy when running,
it’s low. When ambient temperatures are very
hot, bubbles may show in the sight glass even
with the proper amount of refrigerant. With the
proper amount of refrigerant, when the air
conditioning is turned off, the sight glass
should show refrigerant that foams, then
clears. Note:1993 and 1994 models are
equipped with R-134a refrigerant systems and
do not have a sight glass.Heating systems
12If the air coming out of the heater vents
isn’t hot, the problem could stem from any of
the following causes:
a) The thermostat is stuck open, preventing
the engine coolant from warming up
enough to carry heat to the heater core.
Renew the thermostat (see Section 3).
b) A heater hose is blocked, preventing the
flow of coolant through the heater core.
Feel both heater hoses at the bulkhead.
They should be hot. If one of them is cold,
there is an obstruction in one of the hoses
or in the heater core, or the heater control
valve is shut. Detach the hoses and back
flush the heater core with a water hose. If
the heater core is clear but circulation is
impeded, remove the two hoses and flush
them out with a water hose.
c) If flushing fails to remove the blockage
from the heater core, the core must be
renewed.(see Section 11).
13If the blower motor speed does not
correspond to the setting selected on the
blower switch, the problem could be a badfuse, circuit, control panel or climate control
computer (see Sections 10 and 12).
14If there isn’t any air coming out of the
vents:
a) Turn the ignition ON and activate the fan
control. Place your ear at the heating/air
conditioning register (vent) and listen.
Most motors are audible. Can you hear
the motor running?
b) If you can’t (and have already verified that
the blower switch and the blower motor
resistor are good), the blower motor itself
is probably bad (see Section 10).
15If the carpet under the heater core is
damp, or if antifreeze vapour or steam is
coming through the vents, the heater core is
leaking. Remove it (see Section 11) and refit a
new unit (most radiator shops will not repair a
leaking heater core).
16Inspect the drain hose from the heat/AC
assembly at the right side of the bulkhead,
make sure it is not clogged (see illustration).
If there is a humid mist coming from the
system ducts, this hose may be plugged. In
some early models, the hose may have been
pinched during assembly or blocked with
insulation or underseal.
14 Air conditioning
receiver/drier-
removal and refitting
4
Warning: The air conditioning
system is under high pressure.
Do not loosen any hose fittings
or remove any components until
the system has been discharged. Air
conditioning refrigerant should be properly
discharged into an EPA-approved recovery/
recycling unit by a dealer service depart-
ment or an automotive air conditioning
3•12 Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems
13.16 This drain hose (arrowed) from the
heater/air conditioning unit should be kept
clear to allow drainage of condensation
3261 Jaguar XJ6 13.9 Feel the inlet (small arrow) and outlet (large arrow) pipes at
the bulkhead leading to the air conditioning evaporator (battery
removed here for clarity only)
13.11 The sight glass (arrowed) is located on the top of the
receiver/drier, to the right of the radiator

cushions fit on the mounting points and that
any foam insulator strips are still in place or
transferred to the new condenser.
6Reconnect the refrigerant lines, using new
O-rings. If a new condenser has been
installed, add 84 cc (3 fluid ounces) of new
refrigerant oil. Note:The oil and O-rings must
be compatible with the type of refrigerant you
are using.
7Refit the remaining parts in the reverse
order of removal.
8Have the system evacuated, charged and
leak tested by the workshop that discharged
it.
17 Air conditioning evaporator
and expansion valve-
removal and refitting
4
Warning 1: The air conditioning
system is under high pressure.
Do not loosen any hose fittings
or remove any components until
the system has been discharged. Air
conditioning refrigerant should be properly
discharged into an EPA-approved
recovery/recycling unit by a dealer service
department or an automotive airconditioning repair facility. Always wear
eye protection when disconnecting air
conditioning system fittings.
Warning 2: Later model vehicles
are equipped with airbags. To
prevent the accidental
deployment of the airbag, which
could cause personal injury or damage to
the airbag system, DO NOT work in the
vicinity of the steering wheel or instrument
panel. The manufacturer recommends
that, on airbag-equipped models, the
following procedure should be left to a
dealer service department or other repair
workshop because of the special tools and
techniques required to disable the airbag
system.
1Refer to Chapter 11 for removal of the glove
compartment, under-dash panels and
console. Note:The removal of the
heater/evaporator housing is difficult and
time-consuming, much more so than the
removal of the heater core (see Section 11).
For some home mechanics, the job is better
left to a Jaguar dealership or other qualified
repair workshop.
2Disconnect the air conditioning lines from
the backside of the expansion valve (at the
bulkhead, just to the right of the engine), usingtwo spanners (see illustration). Cap the open
fittings and expansion valve after dismantling
to prevent the entry of air or dirt.
3Refer to Section 11 for moving the climate-
control computer aside and disconnecting the
heater core pipes.
4From the engine side of the bulkhead, near
the expansion valve, remove the nut retaining
the heat/air conditioning assembly housing
(see illustration). Another mounting nut is on
the left side, under the wiper motor (see
illustration 11.2).
5Disconnect the defroster ducts on the left
and right side of the evaporator housing (see
illustration).
6Identify all of the vacuum motor lines with
masking tape and a felt pen, then disconnect
the lines. Note:Most vacuum lines are colour-
coded. Make notes on which ones go to
which devices.
7Tag and disconnect the wiring plugs
connected to the heating/air conditioning
housing.
8At the bottom left and bottom right of the
housing, pull off the rubber drain tubes that go
into the flooring.
9Remove the four rod-type support braces.
Two support the dash, and two connect the
case to the floor of the car (see illustrations).
3•14 Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems
17.5 Left duct (large arrow) can be removed
by pulling off the clip (small arrow) - right
duct pulls out without a clip17.9a Unbolt the four support braces
(small arrows) from the case (large arrow)
and floor17.9b Black case-support rods are held
with nuts (arrowed), the gold dash-support
rods are retained by a bolt/nut to the dash
3261 Jaguar XJ6 17.2 Use two spanners when disconnecting the air conditioning
lines (arrowed) at the bulkhead, on the backside of the expansion
valve - one spanner holds the body of the expansion valve
17.4 Remove the housing retaining nut (arrowed) on the engine
side of the bulkhead, near the expansion valve - another nut is on
the right, near the heater core pipes