From Montreal, Canada, I own a nice 37 SS100 replica for a few years. Since it's only a two seater, decided to add a 97 XK8 conv. To my collection.

I imported both cars myself from the US. However, the XK8 ran for only 10 minutes in the pouring rain before major problems occured.

Brough it to the Jag dealer, obviously a bad call. They are
Good at newer cars, but lost in older ones.

Currently the car starts everytime, idles fast for a few seconds, then starts misfiring and stalls. Dealer check codes (many) replaced the spak plugs, dismantles the exaust to check for clogging (??). 2k$ later, they have no clue where to go, and me neither.

Had the car towed to a specialist in electrical problems in euro cars. They worked for a month now. They suspect either throttle body (their computer says it's always 100%, wich is stange cause the car react to pedal press in the few seconds it runs before stalling) or main computer.

Personnaly, I think main computer also, mostly because errors codes probably comes from main computer, because it was running ok and now hundreds of error codes appeared at once, because of everything I red about water damaged to computer (motor seems to have been pressure washed and problem appeared first in the pouring rain)

So, I am here to read your experiences with similar problems and choose a direction in troubleshooting. Also looking for ressources in finding another computer and/or someone able to test and rebuilt the older one.

BTW, is the computer simply swapable with another one or does it need to be programmed before install ?


Thanks all !

 

I had a 97 had issues running, stalling, had it looked at, they tried 2 "known good" throttle bodies and that did not fix it. I finally just sent out the main ECM to Automotive Scientific Inc. | Quality Rebuilt Automotive Electronics | Rogersville, TN They will bench test it first for any issues then will fix is there are any issues. It was like 250 bucks to fix, put it back in my car and all the issues that the mechanics thought was the issues were fixed. I have used the for other auto electronics. I would say give them a try. Worst is you are out 250 instead 5x that they are chasing now with the car.

 

Thanks brgjag - I think it is the way to go. I'll give them a call.


Cheers

Danny

 

worse that can happen is the repair shop says it is fine, then your out a diagnosis cost.
When my 97 acted up they kept throwing TB's on it thinking that was the issue. Well I knew from being on here that various combinations of issues that presented and FIXES were tried with no luck that it had to be the ECM. Well many shops, even dealers, back then, prob still now don't know about the early cars of the XK8 run had ECM issues. I told my shop to put my old TB back on, I got her home and sent out the ECM, got it back fixed (it had failed bench testing) and the car to this day runs fine (I know current owner). This is prob not a cure all for what ails some 97/98 owners but they are a known week point.

 

My '97 had the exact same symptoms. It was the ECM. BRGJAG is giving you good advice: Send it to ASI for them to check and rebuild. I went the same route and it has run perfectly ever since!

Good luck, and keep us posted with the results!

-John

 

Does anyone know what is changed during an ECU 'rebuild' - is it just the electrolytic caps?
If so could this be a DIY job?

 

I started another thread questioning if the 97 and maybe even then 98 models if the ECM should be a normal preventive maint thing now.

 

Various components can fail and need to be replaced. The electrolytic capacitors are a known weakness, so those should be replaced failed or not.

If the electrolytic capacitors leak, the damage to the traces on the circuit board or other components due to corrosion and secondary failures due to shorts can be significant. If this is the case, repairs to multiple tracks on the circuit board as well as multiple surface mount components might be needed, and this takes a pretty high level of skill.

 

Thanks.
IIRC it's a denso ecu, are there any links for renovating it?
Where I work we have hot air equipment to do smd etc

 

You need to stay with a 1997 XK8 ECM.(if you try a replacement check the VCATS)
The 1998 onward Jaguars from North America use a KTM and ECMs need to be configured to the car (Immobilization-Setup).

I don't know if there are ECM differences between Coupe and Conv?????

I know Body Processors (BPM) are different between Coupe and Conv.

bob gauff

 

As suggested send it to ASI and have them look at it then you will know. They also rebuild throttle bodies.

 

Hi guys

Thanks for your good advice ! ASI found the unit defective. They rebuilt it in 48 hours for 149$. They can be reached at www.autoecu.com

The unit was simply plugged in on arrival, and the car is now running perfectly.

I must admit I eould be totaly lost without your good advise...

Keep up the good work !!

 

I used them on my 97 also. the car just started crapping out of the blue. Send it out, it failed their tests, they fixed, I got it, threw it in the car, ran great and has since (that was back in 09'ish). I know the new owner, lives near me. Running great from him. I have used ASi for several things, I would always recommend them. I had a old digital cluster out of a 1990 Beretta car. Half the of the damn stuff did not work on it. They got it working.

 

When my ECU croaked the early symptom was the CC stopped working and replacing the brake switches didn't fix it.
Then one day while driving at 40 mph it decided to turn into a 4 cylinder engine. At first I worried it was a tensioner problem but it was the ECU. ASI fixed it and I had it back in 3 days and its been fine ever since. And the CC works great again.


Dave

 

hi danny asi has a good rep .they have had my ecm for about 1 month and i havent got a e mail as when i will get it back .have tryed to find one on the net but have not had any luck on the v cat code . i know it was in bad shape and they said it had ben worked on before . i will give them a little more time but vif it comes down to a 1600.00 replacement i will scrap the car and cut my loses quick. havent got to drive mine yet..found 1 on our parts thread .a member in the mid west . incorect part # for mine .witch ever way you go i wish you the best of luck an your seaech. dan l in darlington sc usa

 

I had ASI rebuild both my ECM and TCM and to date they work great. I also had my throttle body rebuilt by them. I continue to recommend them for repairs. They are a little slow at times but do good work.

Gus
www.jagrepair.com

 

Well, now I read enough on these forums, I'm almost sure that ECM is my problem .... 1997 XK8 conv, I'm the third owner but I know that car was bought in Québec, Canada.... I suppose I can send it to ASI even if it's Canadian?

Thanks

 

That shouln't be a problem, but contact them before you send it.

 

Hi Robin,

I had my ECM rebuilt a few times successfully at ASI. Basically every second year I had to rebuilt.

I have to admit that last time wasn't great at all. I suspect changes in their business, but long story made short, I had to return my unit 3 times, every time they said the car was the problem, it took a few months of wait time each time, special parts ordering, paid more than expected, and etc and when plugged in, worked for less than 5 minutes before running on 7 cylinders again. So I had to revert to another plan.

I found off eBay a seller that seems to do a similar job. I was even able to get 2 ECM real fast, even before sending my unit to them for rebuilt - so with the paypal protection, I gave them a try. They were the first to ask me if my car had an EGR valve or not, probably because they didn't had my unit in hands before sending a replacement http://site.ecudoctors.com/images/EC...e-Location.pdf I even paid a bit extra to have a second ECM that I keep in the trunk as a spare, with the proper tools to do the swap roadside if ever I get stuck on the road. Their parts and repairs even carry a 5 year warranty !

I would highly recommend them before ASI today. Both business would ship to canada no problem (I am from Montreal area), simply expect an extra duty and taxes.


Specialized ECU Repair

800-328-1425

www.ecudoctors.com

 

The failure of ECMs in heavy rain can often be traced to a plugged drain slot at the bottom of the well that the ECU sits in. This is an insidious failure since this slot is very hard to see without strong lighting. It will plug with debris washed in during years of rains and finally fill to the top with water....goodbye ECU!