I have a 2004 Xtype 3.0 that has shut off twice in the last 10 mos. I just shut down while I was driving,no hesitation or missing. Just tach drops and nothing. It will not start for a few minutes after, then it starts and runs just fine. No engine light shows up before or after either. I also have an XJ8 that the fuel pump went, but it just quit. There are no other issues with the car, it has 80k and runs like new. Thanks in advance.

 

Pete, are you getting any sort of codes or anything of the sort. Due to the intermittent nature of the problem, it is going to be difficult to provide a hard diagnosis. It may be some trial and error to see what you find. I would say to first start with a fuel system pressure check. That should atleast give you an idea of how your fuel pump is. With the key in RUN and the engine not running, the fuel pressure should be up around 50 psi (40-50 psi is expected, but closer to 50). With the engine running, the fuel pressure will drop to round 40 psi (30-40 psi, but closer to 40). If you are on the low end of these, the fuel pump is starting to fade.

After that, you are looking at possible wiring issues with the fuel pump, ECM wiring issues, or a lot of other possibilities.

 

May the force be with you. My fuel pump went belly up recently. The car would shudder slightly and die with no warning. I had the car towed to the local dealership, where they replaced it but made a mess of the fuel system and didn't put the ventilation canister back on it. The car died again and I had someone else fix it. She's purring like a kitten and I'm going after the dealership. Be careful on this replacement.

 

Try banging on the gas tank on the passenger side with a small hammer or something 3 to 4 times. If the car cranks right up, its definitely the pump.

 

I have exactly the same problem with my ’03 XType 2.5. It shut down 3 times while driving in traffic within a week. No error codes. Then after a couple of minutes it would start back up and run just fine. The last time that it shut down I had my fuel pressure gauge with me and I checked the pressure on the fuel rail with the switch on and it sat near zero. I cycled the ignition switch a few times and the pressure came up to about 20 psi and then it would start and the pressure went up to 40 psi. I found the pressure varies quite a bit so I know I need to replace the pump. I had to leave for vacation right after that last episode so I’m leaving it in the garage until I get back next week. I’m looking at an Airtex rather than OEM replacement.