hope somebody can help, my 99 xj8 4l auto, wont start. had the r.a.c out for two and a half hours without any luck. no fault codes came up when they plugged the computer in.
battery was flat when i went to drive it after a week. got a friend to try and jump it, but engine just turns without firing. r.a.c. bloke said ecu problem, but wouldnt this come up as a fault when you plug the computer in? but he did check all fuses, spark plugs, injector pressure, fuel pump, everyhting he could think of.
i only bought the car a couple of months ago, if i take it to a jag specialist is it going to cost me an arm and a leg. as they will spwnd hours looking for something?
i thank you all for any advice in anticipation

 

Find a local Jag independent specialist, these for instance....

http://www.jagutek.co.uk/

It sounds electrical, and no it might not throw codes if the ecu was done, which could happen if the jump leads weren't connected in the right way.

I'd look through the forum using the search function, it might help as there's a number of threads on none starts.

 

thanks sean b, what is the right way to put on jump leads? i was always told to put the negative on first

 

The order is really not important- I am pretty sure Sean was referring to the possibility of frying the electronics if you were to cross the + and - leads. Some folks say you should hook up the positive terminals first, then connect source car's ground then the second car's ground lead to a point other than the battery post, but that is so you reduce the risk of a spark lighting off hydrogen gas venting from a shorted battery.

 

Sounds like a compression Issue. When it turns over does it have a whinning sound. If this is the case... A tea spoon of oil in each cylinder should do the trick. Seriously...

 

Sounds like cylinder walls wash dry by gas. Ive seen this many times...

 

Lots of posts on the 'no start' subject but here is a link from the XK8/R FAQ Sticky.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=30792

Cylinder wash was/is a common problem on Nikasil engines. After all the fuel and spark test are determined to be good try the 'cylinder wash' start procedure.

http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairNoStart.htm

Holding the throttle pedal to the floor, which completely cuts off the injectors spin the engine for 2 minutes with the pedal floored, in 30 second increments, giving the starter a chance to cool between. That circulates oil on the cylinder walls and builds up compression. After that, try to start the car normally. It may take several efforts to get it started. That is what the dealer technician is going to do for $400.