Hello,

My dad has an '04 XJ8 used basically as a backup car that has been sitting up for about 6 months. He put in a new battery. The engine cranks fine now but just won't start. He said he seems to remember possibly something about having to have something reprogrammed when a battery is changed, so he asked if I could pose the question here before having it towed away. The car was running fine when parked.

Thanks for any suggestions.


Rob

 

Just a thought for you. The battery got low on our 97 XJ6L and when the new battery was installed the car would crank but not start. Somehow the anti-theft controls had gotten set which meant that the fuel pump did not work, the gear shift was locked, etc. I did not put all of this together at the time, but my independent mech. did and reset the system. There may be a way to reset the system with the door key. Does your car have any similar symptoms - for example, is the gear shift locked out?

 

I am having the same problem. Have an XJ8 1998 3.2 V8. Changed the battery and now it doesnt start. Doors only open with the key not the fobs. The immobiliser must have been active at some point as when i initially turned the car it didnt turn.... just a dead click!.... i think i must have tried this at least 3 times (which i then beleive disables the immobiliser) and now the car cranks but doesnt fire up...

Will check to see if the gear stick is locked in the red P position on the J-Gate. I also think the Fuel isnt being allowed to get to the engine perhaps.... i can hear the fuel pump come on in the back though.... how did your independent mech reset the system... surely its something simple.