Jaguar XE Water Sensor Issues Causing Engine Problems

I had a nearly identical sensor fault in my 2019 Jaguar XF diesel, and as someone with moderate car repair experience, I can share some insights about this common issue. The water sensor malfunction in my case was traced to a damaged wire connection at the plug. The moisture sensor was actually working fine, but the faulty connection was causing incorrect readings and triggering the sensor fault code. The engine running rough during cold starts is a typical symptom when the water sensor isnt communicating properly with the ECU. The workshop did a thorough sensor testing procedure and found that corrosion had developed in the connector, causing intermittent signal issues. The fix involved cleaning the connector and replacing a section of wiring, totaling 95€ for parts and labor. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you share: Have you noticed any other warning lights? Does the rough running improve once the engine warms up? Have you had any recent work done near the sensor area? Which specific fault code is showing up? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my XF or if its something different requiring another approach.

Last service was completed at 115000 KM with no issues found. Just had this checked by our local shop and it seems the problem was more serious than expected. The water sensor was completely damaged due to corrosion and needed full replacement. They also found moisture buildup around the wiring harness which explains the electrical fault signals. The car sensor testing revealed two additional faulty connections that needed repair. Total repair cost came to 380€ including a new moisture sensor assembly and rewiring work. Expensive fix but the engine now runs perfectly even during cold starts. The sensor fault codes have cleared and havent returned in the past week. Worth mentioning they recommended checking the drainage channels around the engine bay to prevent future moisture-related issues with the car sensors.

Glad to hear you got it sorted out. Your case sounds more extensive than what I dealt with on my XF, though the symptoms were nearly identical. The complete sensor replacement and rewiring you needed explains the higher repair cost compared to my simpler connector fix. The moisture buildup you mentioned makes total sense. After my initial repair, I also had my drainage channels cleaned as preventive maintenance. These car sensor issues often start with water getting where it shouldnt, especially around the wiring harness area. Since both our Jags showed similar malfunction indicator behaviors, its worth noting that these moisture-related sensor faults seem to be a weak point in our model years. The car diagnostics often point to the sensor itself, but the surrounding wiring and connections are just as critical. 380€ might seem steep, but considering they found and fixed multiple issues, including the faulty connections, its actually reasonable. These electrical problems can cascade if left unchecked, so addressing everything at once was the right call. Keep an eye on those drainage channels during regular maintenance. Since dealing with my sensor issue, I check them every few months to prevent any repeat problems with the electrical system.

Thanks for the helpful details and suggestions. After following this thread, I thought I should share a final update for others who might face similar issues with their XE. The complete sensor replacement and rewiring proved to be the right solution. After 2 weeks of driving, the malfunction indicator remains off and the engine performance is back to normal. The electrical fault codes haven't returned, confirming the moisture sensor is working correctly. The auto electronics shop did excellent work identifying the extent of corrosion damage. While the 380€ repair cost was higher than initially expected, fixing both the water sensor and damaged wiring harness was necessary to prevent future issues. I've since cleaned all engine bay drainage channels and will make this a regular maintenance task. For any XE owners experiencing similar sensor fault symptoms, especially rough cold starts, I recommend getting the moisture sensor connections checked early before corrosion causes more extensive damage. Good to know these sensor issues are relatively common in our models. The thorough diagnosis and complete repair was worth the investment to resolve all the electrical problems at once.