Thinking about buying a 1997 xj6 4.0 107,500 miles 9/10.. owned by older lady, never used car for four years been parked in garage covered.. the son says it needs alternator and battery... California car so four years back fees to pay dmv plus the smog check and repairs.... repairs that i can do myself ..only seen pictures car two hours drive away what would owner wants $1500 but i think thats too much for a 97 needing $$

 

 

The alternator can be a slipping harmonic balancer not turning the belt to the alternator

There is an easy check , take a white paint marker

There is a small fuse for the alternator voltage regulator, # 10 / 5 amp red right engine bay fuse box

other then that look for 13.5 volts on the B + post on the alternator

The old fuel in the tank may give you some problems , can be siphoned out with a 1/4 inch X 5 foot tube from the hardware store and some clean bottles from the glass recycle bin , don't use plastic as can spark / bad

Main fuel filter should be changed

Never put the battery in backwards , positive post goes fwd

Do not tighten the positive post bolt too tight , breaks nut underneath

 

Heck for $1500.....Where do I pick it up?

 

See the palm trees

 

If the car has been well maintained it should be in a more reliable condition. The alternator or battery issue could be an easy fix.
$1500 is a pretty good deal and if you can fix any other issues yourself you should be getting a good car for the price.

 

You guys are forgetting about the Cali dmv fees/penalty's ...dont have the vin yet, but i bet its around $500 if the HB is ok and the battery/alternator need replacing doing it myself $400 and shop price would be around $600+. then the smog check.. will it pass... might need cats /dont know if the heater/ac work....like buying a storage container ...dont know what your getting... then the value of the jag .....so cdma you would give $1500 for this car..
Thanks for the info guys

 

KBB PP value $3,220....good cond....if i go for this i will need a tow, could take battery with me to start it... tow will cost $280

Does the alternator drop out the bottom anything else in the way/sway bar
owner can not do anything until end of month....

 

Oh yea in a heartbeat. No rust. 100k. Driven by an old lady.... In a garage. Again let me know where it is and I am there. Although mine is an XJ6L which I think is the best looking X300, this is the best looking most reliable car. And with the team of people on this forum, any issue you will get resolved. When you can open the hood and fix stuff you are already ahead. Can't do that with today's car.

Battery is in the trunk on the right side.alternator does drop down and a piece of cake to replace

 

The battery is a top post style

You can measure the rear side window bottom edge for 36 inches / short wheel base or 6 inches more for the long wheel base

The speakers will probably have dry rot foam surrounds and a cheap repair kit for a DIY

I found pulling the alternator from the top worked for me

You may have to pour some oil in the cylinders to get good compression for a start , do they have mosquitos in lower California ?

Click the starter a couple of times before turning it over , this primes the fuel lines that may not have been done for years

There is a control panel bite test of the heater / AC system for what it's worth


You will have a Denso 10PA compressor


and parts avail here

Featured Products (shopcenturyautoair.com)

the biggest source of front end rattle will be the shock upper donut bushing

 

Just letting you guys know California is very strict on smog law checks...if the cats are defective it will cost $2200 for the down head pipe ...roll of the dice eh.... you can not use out of state cats..we get screwed on the smog check here, for 1997 vehicles cost is $90... they dont want old cars on the road...

Thanks for the info on the a/c and climate control...

 

To increase your chances of passing the smog inspection there are some cheap and easy things to do

Clean all the engine regulation grounds , the ones on the rear firewall protect the O2 sensors signals

Clean the O2 sensor connectors , I had green corrosion mine

There are 2 / 4 wire connectors on the right side of the engine block on the chassis frame rail , this is by a car frame ground terminal post on the right side and there is one on the opposite left side

There are 2 more in a group of 3 behind or the side of the rear valve cover edge

Be carefull to not swap connector positions as they can be and this will throw off your engine regulation ( emmisions )

At idle the smog pump will run for 60 seconds , The Evap valve will be closed along with the EGR valve

You can ensure the smog pump is working jumpering it with the battery since you may have it out for a alternator change or B+ post voltage check

There was a fuse uprating for the smog pump

The EVAP valve can be tested with a 9 volt battery and a short vacuum hose to blow into it ensuring it will close fully

The carbon deposits on the EGR valve can be cleaned and the EGR valve has a position sensor so that you can verify it is closed on idle

And a Italian Tuneup can clear it's thought before inspection

Fresh fuel is important

There is a cheap connector ready O2 sensor from Bosch # 13789 or close to that #

There are some common things that can go wrong with the AC and heater system that are cheap to overcome

Your AC bite test is on page 110

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Trai...des/703_SG.pdf

Codes here

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/TSB/...stem%20DTC.pdf

This car does not deserve to be missed and have an unfortunate outcome

Possibly rescue it out of California for a home else where

 

Thanks Parker ...update to follow in a few weeks

 

Have you herd of a ELM - 327 live data reader to see your Short Term Fuel Trim target value of 0.0 ?

12 bucks E - Bay out of California