My 1990 XJ6 decided to take a pause last night. I had come home from work and parked her outside for about an hour when I needed to run an errand. We pulled out of the cul-de-sac, and started to accelerate in a right turn and I had one of those empty feelings in my stomach when everything went quiet for about a second as the engine died. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have the opportunity to check the gauges. I let up on the accelerator and she caught and we drove on.

Any thoughts on what could have happened?

 

Did you lose the lights as well? If so, I would suspect the ignition switch. If not, perhaps the engine wiring harness has a weak point. I also had this happen to me due to a hole in the air intake hose, it cracked inside the accordion hose and was damn near impossible to find.

 

Ken, please look at my post regarding my XJ6 and an Electrical Harness...posted earlier today...thanks

 

It was daylight, Ken, so I didn't have the lights on. And it happened so quickly, that I don't remember if the radio died, or not. I hope it doesn't happen again, but if it does I'll try to remember to see if the radio dies.

 

Robert, did the car pause again after the first time and if so, was it on a corner again?

 

Yes it did, poor boy. Only this time it was while traveling in a straight line coming to a stop. Very strange. The engine stopped for maybe two or three seconds. I never lost electrical power; the radio kept playing and the lights never went out. After those two or three seconds, it continued on as though nothing had ever happened. Very strange.

 

I know this is going to sound rediculously simple but have you checked your fuel filters? The other thing, not so pretty, have you pulled a fuel pump pressure test? I had a fuel pump just starting to drop pressure on my "Vette" and it did the same thing and would generate almost a fluttering at high RPMs. Just a place to start.

 

These are just guesses:

1. Check for any holes or cracks after the airflow meter and before the throttle body.
2. See if the back (electrical portion) of the ignition switch has become loose. This can cause momentary lack of contact--but usually the whole car dies then comes back.
3. Wiggle the wiring harness on the engine. These poor guy is getting old and brittle.