While driving my 96 XJ6 Vanden, my gauges stop working (needles suddenly drop), all the dashboard lights come on, then "Airbag" is shown in mileage window. Does anyone have any direction on what needs to be repaired or addressed for this problem?

 

Yep! (but this won't make sense to you)
Buy one or more ignition coils. Put the new one on #1.
If that doesn't solve it, put the take-off from #1 on #2 and so on until you isolate the bad coil(s)
A little easier - pull the coil-cover off (Large plastic pc on top of engine that says "Jaguar") and fire it up at night or in dark garage and note which coils, if any are making a "lightning show"
Replace them with new ones.


Btw, welcome to the forum! Glad you've joined.

 

Solid advice, been there many times.

 

Wow. Very interesting. Just recently I had a coil go out and I replaced it on #3 cyl. I would have never thought that what I am experiencing would have any connection to a coil. I'll give it a try and see what the results is. THANKS for the advice! (Glad to be part of the Jag forum)

 

Yeah, it's pretty weird...but true!

Be careful in buying coils. Quality varies quite a bit. You might wanna do some reading here:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...0-coils-93966/

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug. I've ordered a coil through Gary at JagBits. That's who I use for all my parts. It states it's an OEM coil.

 

You'll know as soon as you take it out of the box

I'm not trying to disparage JagBits but "OEM" has become one of the most widely mis-used terms in the industry.

Cheers
DD

 

96...
You have stumbled upon the consummate expert on this problem! I bet Doug wishes he were not so!

 

Wow, okay. I ran the engine in the dark with the plastic "Jaguar" over removed to view the coils. Sure enough, "light show" on #1 coil/cyl. And that's the new coil I replaced 2 months ago. I'll be talking to JagBits on that.

 

I don't mean to pick...but you seem to have contradicted yourself.....find some records and realize you'd mis-remembered earlier? Happens to me more often than I care to admit...just wondering

 

With the A-hol on the prowl, you better not tell any lies!

 

 

Doug, you are awesome! I can't believe it, but I put in a new coil for the one with the "light how" and my issue disappeared immediately. You are the man. Thanks so much. I would have never known how to proceed. I greatly appreciate the Jaguar Forum!