XJR - 1997 Hello, I need some advice. I just bought a Jaguar XJR6 (X300, 1997). The car was running normally before and even drove onto the tow truck by itself. Now it won’t start anymore. When I turn the ignition on, both cooling fans start running even though the engine is cold. The starter cranks, but the engine won’t fire up. I checked for spark and it has spark. I also tried using a bit of starting spray and the car briefly sputtered. What could be the problem?

 

As it spluttered with starter fluid its a fuel problem. Have you got any in the tank (stupid question I know but it does happen!)?
Maybe the inertia switch has tripped and stop the fuel pump?
Maybe the pump has packed up? There are two pumps on the XJR6, pull the relay for pump 1 and I think 2 should take over, or is that just X308?
The fans are meant to run continuously, but if you disconnect them you should be able to hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds when you first turn the key. Can you?

 

Check inertia / crash switch firsts as can be fickle even if you press reset , you can jumper it between the 2 white wires , pic soon , this circuit as a tripped switch will drop out your fuel pump ( s ) . With a good ear you can hear pump from cabin so I was lucky

Old fuel is a critical factor on this engine especially during start , can be siphoned from tank ( some X300s have a siphon trap / block down through fill pipe along with no lead fueling nozzle gate at very top )

Looking at main fuel filter change anyway as probably never changed and good housekeeping , flow arrow to car's outboard . Look for O - rings hidden inside filter end fittings

This is a pic of a righthand steering as the switch will always be on the car's right , notice the gas pedal as a righthand steering

The fans connectors at the fan motors can break easily as old brittle plastic lock tabs to bend out so you can disconnect the big square connector on the fans control relay module fwd of the left front tire under car , this module connector should be located on the bottom and if on the top water can get into module ruining it . I could hear water rattling around in mine as mine was bad




The cooling fans are a later issue as after Jaguar TSB only one ( or both on low as there are both modes of low total across radiator volume depending on fans control relay module part # ) on key rotation , so later

On key rotation you will get 3 seconds only on the # 1 fuel pump then off , the # 1 pump will come back on when the CKPS sees engine rotation for duration of drive , safety design . On starter rotation you should see 300 RPM on the instrument cluster from same CKPS , spark not a sign of good CKPS , more later if needed

Sorry but the term primed as in squirting cylinders may not be the case but instead is charging the fuel lines only with fuel pressure and that charging pressure trapped in starting important in the sequence , 43 PSI but hard to find fittings and time involved

Never overtighten the battery positive post bolt , or place battery in backwards , positive post fwd and mark with tape and arrow

So by placing finger on the # 1 fuel pump relay you should get 3 clicks , on - off - on

Your # 2 fuel pump relay can be a swapping option and is located on the trunk fwd wall in this pic , or you can jumper the # 1 fuel pump relay between socket 3 ( hot at all times ) to 5 ( to pump ) . this jumper will drain battery with keys in pocket

The # 2 fuel pump will not come on until 4000 RPM and drop out as it goes back down through 3200 , the # 2 taking over for the # 1 on a certain number of no starts was never squared ( it is in the Jaguar 801s engine manual ) with me but mentioned years ago from someone

There is a secret fuse ( # 10 / 5 amp right heelboard fuse box ) that is the control power closing the fuel pump relays ( both ) that has a relay in box corner that has to close to power fuse , relay swapping option as left engine bay fuse box small relay in corner of box

Bed time in USA