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Let's see, where to start? It wasn't all done today, so here goes. Bought the 2003 XJ8 base model (74K miles, PA car, never seen winter) in British Racing Green a couple of months ago. Since then I have (i) changed the transmission fluid and filter, and installed the upgraded main pressure valve, (ii) changed the air filter, (iii) replaced the headliner, (iv) fixed the rear driver's door actuator, (v) replaced the front driver's door interior door handle and cable, (vi) repaired a door speaker cone, (vii) replaced the missing door clips on the interior door panels, (viii) re-dyed the front seats, (ix)chased down a short circuit that kept blowing a fuse that locked the car in Park, (x) new AGM battery, (xi) flushed the brake fluid, (xii) same for power steering fluid, (xiii) replaced the cracked glass on the driver's front headlight, and (xiv) repaired two thumbnail-sized dents around the passenger-side headlights and repainted the fender.
Very nice, did you notice anything in terms of improvement after the power steering flush? It is something still to be done in my car.
I'm really eager too replace the headliner as well, did you do it yourself?
And today's entertainment was a Check Engine Light and P0128 and P1642 (engine coolant temperature too low, and restricted performance mode, respectively). Traced it to the thermostat stuck in the open position; far better than stuck closed.
I had intended to flush the cooling system next and convert the 22-yr-old plastic thermostat tower to the aluminum upgrade from APA/Uro before it stranded me somewhere. This gives me the motivation to do it now rather than later.
There is quite a range of prices on the above items, so it pays to shop around. The best prices I found were on eBay: $53.14 for the APA/Uro housing kit, as well as $31.97 for a Gates 33948 thermostat, both with free shipping.
Warm, dry weather. Feeling better. Time to do the fuel pump.
Tank out; removed the exhaust pipe on the driver's side which gave a bunch more access without having to resort to dropping the differential cradle.
Uhm. That doesn't look very good.
Pulled the pump and retainer plate out. Poke poke.
That's pretty grody. Scrubbed it down inside with a wire brush, flushed it out.
New pump. That'll do.
Test run successful. Filled the tank up. This pump is very quiet compared to the old one, which I managed to get running and drained the tank with before pulling it out. It was squealing, loose bearing noise.
Strapped the sub down (added two nice chrome marine tiedowns to the trunk floor base) so it can't go anywhere. Works well enough now.
I always heard they are a bit useless. I can't say for sure because the only feature on my car not working at all are the auto lights.
The knob twists from limit to limit, but it feels like it is not actually turning anything; there's very little resistance. I'm guessing it's not actually turning the potentiometer inside. My auto lights work, but come on when it's cloudy or getting toward the end of the day.
Also, now randomly getting SRS light with a passenger in the front.
Also, I do not know why I bother cleaning it, that was one trip into town last night...
The only thing that really matters with that auto dimming mirror is that on/off switch at the very bottom. It should have a green led lit up and your headlights in the ‘auto’ position.
The only thing that really matters with that auto dimming mirror is that on/off switch at the very bottom. It should have a green led lit up and your headlights in the ‘auto’ position.
It does, the auto headlights work, but come on when it's real light out. The green LED lights up on the mirror and the mirror itself also dims blue at night with bright lights in the rear window.
Oddly the auto wipers also work but are a touch random; I think I may have a broken wire in the stalk.
Concerning the auto wipers, I think the gel pad between the optical sensor and windshield needs replaced. That and maybe the optical sensor needs cleaned also.
Last edited by Addicted2boost; Feb 9, 2025 at 08:04 PM.
Concerning the auto wipers, I think the gel pad between the optical sensor and windshield needs replaced. That and maybe the optical sensor needs cleaned also.
I read up on how that works, the sensor is optically well bonded to the screen. No bubbles, haze.
If I wiggle the wiper stalk in the auto position I can get it to trigger the wipers
Airbag light now comes on about a half second after it first goes out after the system check lights test.
It does, the auto headlights work, but come on when it's real light out. The green LED lights up on the mirror and the mirror itself also dims blue at night with bright lights in the rear window.
Oddly the auto wipers also work but are a touch random; I think I may have a broken wire in the stalk.
So, the button in the mirror needs to be pressed for the auto headlamps to work? I could never figure it out.
