Jaguar xj40 1994,3.2 litre.
I had this car for 10 years, once on a trip, coolant hose was blown, car overheated. Head job got done, no problem, ran fine till refused to start few days ago.
Car was running fine, then was sitting for 8 months in all kinds of weather. I tried to start it one day, no start. When pulled spark plug leads, spark plug holes full of water, cleaned everything. Using a fully charged battery and a jump starter, managed to start it with long cranking.
Then it died after 10 minutes of fine idling.
Now refusing to start. Replaced CPS, it is now working(maybe old one was also working), spark is there, fuel is present, checked coil for resistance all good, but still don't start.
Checked all fuses and inertia switch, all good.
Need help, I want the car back on road.
My whole family love this car.

 

Try fitting a new rotor in the distributor. Sounds like this could be the problem.

Larry

 

Thanks Larry, But there is spark at the spark plug. I assume rotor is good.

 

Hi Yogee,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums! It's great to have you with us.

My first suspicion would be water in your fuel. A quick test is to disconnect the fuel line from the inlet end of the fuel rail (closest to the firewall/bulkhead) and aim the fuel line into a suitable catch container, ideally one made of clear glass. Turn the key to position II (ON) without cranking the engine so the fuel pump runs its priming burst for 2 or 3 seconds. Repeat until you have about one pint to one quart of fuel in your container. Set the container in a safe place to decant for about 30 minutes or more. Then inspect the contents in the container to see if there is a line in the fluid, indicating that water has settled to the bottom of the container.

If you find water, a quick way to drain the water out of the tank is to fit a garden hose or section of 5/8" heater hose over the fuel line and direct the other end into a fuel can. Remove the fuel pump relay, which is in the trunk/boot, behind the right side carpeted trim panel, near the right rear tail lamp. Bend a large paperclip into a U and use it to jump terminals 30 and 87 in the fuel pump relay socket. Now, when you turn the key to position II (ON) without cranking the engine, the fuel pump will run constantly and pump the contents of the fuel tank into your fuel can.

Water in the fuel tank is very common on Jaguars that sit for a period of time. The drain tube next to the fuel filler neck tends to become clogged with leaves, seeds, etc., which allows water to pool around the fuel filler neck and seep past the fuel cap gasket. I have pumped as much as 5 gallons of water out of an XJ40 fuel tank.

Please keep us performed.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks Don
I had drained fuel tank, but haven't collected any sample of fuel. I will put some fresh fuel in and collect a sample as you have described there might be some water in the fuel line and fuel filter.
Will keep you posted.
Yogee

 

Drained the fuel tank, put some fresh fuel in.
Good spark, fuel present at the fuel rail, but when removed a couple of spark plugs, those were dry. I think injectors not working, all fuses are good.
Need ideas, what to do now! +🧐🧐

 

Fresh fuel, new battery, heaps if spark, engine cranks fine but removed spark plugs, those were dry. No fuel, what needs to be done, 😒😒😒

 

Thanks To Larry,

Replaced distributor cap and rotor, it started instantly.

 

Larry, Can you please tell us again what is the deal on the rotor? Why does it fail but still seem to give spark?

 

First time mine failed, the spark was weak and the wrong colour. I guess the spark can be weak enough to stop the car from starting up. Spark can vary from weak to none at all as the potted component inside the rotor starts to break down and goes high resistance.

It can also short out at the spindle, I've heard of that too.

I'm not sure what causes the rotor to break down, but on my car I carry a spare just in case.

Larry