So it will start like 5 minutes after it rains? Or if you wait a while like a few hours or something it starts after rain?

 

Wow! I don't know where to start. Maybe some sort of leak in the intake system that with the heavier air is messing up the mixture?? Otherwise, it may be time to call a priest...

 

Sounds like water is getting into the system from somewhere. The old equasion of Air Fuel and Spark does not include "Just add water" I'd try to isolate the problem with a spray bottle and water. It sounds to me like a module might be the problem if it's not sealed it could short while wet. I had a similar experience with the anti lock when I washed my engine, mosture got in a conector and gave false readings to the computer. Your problem might be similar. Then again you can't beat a good ol exorcism. "Out demon gremlins and trouble this Jag no more!"

 

That seems a puzzling situation [&:]
Your car is rain allergic then lol

 

Carguy.........as per XJ's quote......does it have a distributor cap and rotor, plugs n points? I am unsure on that specofic vehicle which is why I am asking?
If so, I had a similar problem on a Vauxhall (GM) Nova some years back. Whenever it was wet, rainy damp even fairly moist I would have trouble starting the car, even then it was fairly erratic until warmed up.
Problem was moisture getting into the distributor cap which caused havoc.
WD 40 was a very good short term fix to drive out moisture and worked well until I could replace the cap, points etc which resolved my issues.

Just a thought!

Jim

 

K......no probs....keep us informed of your progress carguy

Jim

 

I found this troubleshooter online: (Bob Hewitt's Auto Repair Page)

get an empty spray bottle. Fill it with water. Run out to your car when the sun is shining and it's dry and hot out. Open the hood. Start the car. Now be careful here cuz I don't want you coming out of this with a few nubs where there once were fingers - stay away from belts and pulleys - watch out for hot parts like the exhaust manifold.

Set your spray bottle on STUN (we want a fine and directed spray, not a deluge here) and point it at the first spark plug you find. STUN!! Listen - - - did it start to misfire? Yes? Then that is the culprit. Replace the plug or wire or both. No? Then STUN the next plug - keep on until you find the bad guy. If no bad guys are found then direct the spray at thetower of the coil - STUN! Stall? Yes, replace the coil,. No? On to the distributor cap. STUN!

About here you will have run out of HV things to STUN - If that did it then replace the distributor cap. If not then message me back with details and we'll take it from there.

 

Why am I not surprised that Jose would come through? Hope to hear back from you carguy.

 

Nice one Jose.....
Any word on that other section we were talkin about? Any news?

Jim

 

thanks guys!

Jim, remind me? I may have forgotten to follow up!or do you mean the "Greek" website that turned out to be Finnish?? If that's it, theyhaven't responded.

I will write to FiBoy, the guy who restores/redesigns old Jags and who is involved with the Finland Jaguar Club. Check what he does to those cars!

http://jaguar.fiboy.com/

Jose

 

Yep Jose........you got it re the greek finnish site .....lol
Let me know if anything comes of it!
Even after a brief look at some of the stuff that guy does....WOW!
Different class

Good link

Jim

 

I'm still leaning towards a connector or module...

 

Sorry, I've been away. Sounds like you are on the right track. Just an FYI: no points on that car. I'm pretty sure the 4.2 XKE was the last Jag to have points.

 

CARGUY - I know this was 7 yrs ago but I have same problem. Did you find the culprit?

 

Welcome to the forum Fless1,

The old thread title caught my attention and reminded me of this same issue I had with my XJ40 in 1997. After eliminating ignition leads and CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor), it was a faulty Ignition Control Module on mine.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Hi Fless1,

Welcome to the forum!

Off the top of my head, one would assume that if rainwater were shorting an electrical connector or providing a path to ground, a fuse would be blown, but since your car will apparently start again after it stops raining, I assume none of your fuses is blowing.

If you can provide some more information about the exact symptoms, we may be able to be of more help. For example, when your car won't start, will the engine crank, or will it not crank at all? If the engine will crank but not start, does the tachometer read 0 rpm or approximately 200 rpm? Any other specific symptoms may be helpful.

I'm attaching a few TSBs that have to do with issues in wet weather. None of them seem to be exactly related to the no-start problem, but perhaps there is a clue in one of these documents that may be helpful. It's interesting that TSB 18-38 mentions adding a cover to the ignition coil, since the igntition control module Graham mentioned is mounted right below the coil. It might be worth checking for water around your coil and ignition module.

We'll look forward to any additional detail you can provide about the symptoms when this misbehavior occurs.

Cheers,

Don