My '98 XJ8 has a weird issue that's comes and goes. It sometimes seems to almost default into running or starting on 4 cyl. When it that mode I can barely run it, with foot on the gas and brakes to keep the revs up. Below 1500 rpm it dies, then starts very hard. If I let it set overnight it may fire up and run fine. I think it's either fuel on one bank or maybe electrical on one bank. When it does start normally, I can run it for many miles. Any ideas?

 

Also could be an air leak.

 

Don't have a code reader for the old gal, so will take her to the shop. Wasn't running due to broken timing chain when purchased
It has codes that I can't delete, so unsure of that too. Hope the shop in Idaho figures it out this week while we're getting some sun in AZ. 😊

 

Post the DTCs the shop finds stored in the system.

 

+1 and make sure they tell you the actual DTC not just some wording

 

[size=16px]On the AJ26 only engines, (98’ - early 99’s) there is an Ignition module (LJA1450AF) dedicated for each bank since the coils for this engine are 2 pin only. I agree with everyone else that you need to get the codes though. Mentioning the ignition modules was a potential area of concern. [/size][size=16px](Not sure why the text is all jacked up.)[/size]

 

That's very interesting. I think it could be the answer, or else something "upstream" signaling a bank to drop out. One time it sat idling smoothly for 15 minutes until I shifted out of park. It immediately died and I had to limp it home.

 

Typically there would be more symptoms with this issue but maybe it’s a very very low battery?