Hi All!

I just got my 1983 XJ6 back from getting a respray and now it has a couple of new quirks. First, it keeps blowing fuse 4 when I put the car in reverse. This is new as it never did this before, and most of the fuses are original to the car, including fuse 4 (until 2 days ago). Also, the cabin keeps getting a strong fuel smell. I checked under the hood/bonnet and no fuel leaks. Fuel hoses are all new. Both of these are "new" issues. Car has 41,000 miles. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I would begin by inspecting the wiring at the backup lamps themselves. You'd be looking for wires that are pinched or cut and touching metal.


First, it doesn't have to be an actual drippy leak to make a big smell. An ooozing leak will do it.

Next, "all hoses..."? Including the return near the A/C compressor hoses and the small section of hose at the front of the cylinder head?

Elsewhere, leaky filler cap seals can cause a big odor problem that wafts into the cabin

Lots of potential leak points in the trunk: hoses, filter, pump, changeover valve.

And at the gas tanks themselves can leak, usually due to rust-out at the bottom

Were the tanks removed during the respray?

Cheers
DD

 

I'll go take a look at the reverse lamps. The lights were all removed for the repaint. All fuel hoses were replaced. When I raise the hood, there are no leaks on any hoses or even a fuel smell. When I walk towards the trunk by the rear tires, I smell fuel. I will take a look in the trunk. Thanks!! I appreciate the ideas!

 

a 1983 would have rubber plugs, male and female, for the tail light assemblies, so I cannot see how they could be mis-connected, as the plugs only connect / fit 1 way.
Something else must have been reconnected incorrectly.

 

I pulled both tail lights out. Nothing seems amiss. Both have rubber sockets as Jose has said. I followed the wires back to where they are all wrapped together just before the tanks. No cuts in the insulation. Maybe when they put the door sill trim back in, they could have nicked the wire with a screw? As for the fuel smell part, both tanks are brand new. There appear to be no leaks at all under the hood, and none I can see in the trunk.

 

Possibly

That #4 fuse also feeds the trip computer (if you have one) and all the instruments.

I'd unplug the reverse lamps at the switch, unplug the trip computer, and unplug the gauges. Does the fuse still blow? If "yes", then more digging required. If "no", then start plugging things back in. When the fuse blows you'll have a clue as to which direction to follow




Are the filler cap seals in good shape?

Did you look at the hoses that that go upward from the trunk and into the "C" pillars?

Next check the hoses to the return valves behind the rear wheels

Cheers
DD

 

also check if you can start the engine in any gear other than Park or Neutral. It should not start.

 

Filler cap gaskets are brand new. Kind of curious on the "C" pillar question.... I pulled the scuff plates tonight...and no wires there. The body shop said that the tech had "a hell of a time" putting the sunroof back in. Are the wires routed through the roof? Maybe along with hoses from the fuel tanks? If so, my problem may be there?

 

No wires in the C-pillars unless you have reading lights back there

The C-pillars do have fuel condensation canisters with hoses going into the trunk...so that's a place to look for fuel odor



No. No fuel hoses or lamp wiring in the roof

Cheers
DD

 

Just saw in another Jag forum that another user had the exact same problem. It said that he had just gotten his XJ6 Series 3 repainted and that it blew fuse 4 when shifting into reverse. He also checked the wiring behind the lights and saw no wires that were missing insulation, and everything appeared to be connected correctly. Unfortunately, he didn't say how everything worked out, and his post is now 20 years old. However, if this is also happening to me, must be some sort of explanation.

https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/xj-s...verse/325994/3

 

what areas of the car were disassembled ?
was the center console ashtray panel removed ?
if yes, was any work done after removal of the ashtray panel ?

that is why I asked if the engine can be started in any gear other than Park or Neutral, just in case the reverse lights switch located by the shifter was messed with, or disconnected, or something like that.

Are all the exterior lights working properly ?
do all the interior lights come ON when all doors are opened ?

 

All bumpers, lights, and glass were removed. Apart from that, I have no idea. All lights work except my left front low beam. Appears to be the headlight relay (I have one on order). The screw on the center console was loose is, I guess it is possible.

 

have you rolled or checked the 5 fuses for the headlights in the auxiliary fuse box next to the coolant filler tank ? Most likely one of the low beam fuse contacts are oxydized, typical symptom. There are 4 fuses for headlights, low and high beams, the fifth fuse is for the auxiliary cooling fan under the front bumper.

 

THANKS!!! I cleaned those with my Dremel and the lights all work again!

 

Took apart my center console. Didn't see any issues there. Unplugged the trip computer and the back up lights. The fuse still blows. I'm pretty convinced that it has to be something related to the back up lamps. It only blows when I put the car in reverse.

 

in that case look under the car, at the transmission driver's side, where there are wires connecting to a reverse switch, check for any disconnected wires. The switch is "rotational". 4 or 5 wires, depends on the build date of your car if the transmission has it.

 

I crawled under and took a look. All wires are connected. There were 4 total. My wife also said that the back up lights don't come on at all when I go into reverse. Basically, nothing happens, then it burns the fuse.

 

Disconnect that switch entirely and see if the fuse still blows

Cheers
DD

 

Take a clear picture of where the wires are connected before disconnecting the 4 wires.

 

another test:

remove the tail light Lenses,
remove the reverse Bulbs.
replace the fuse,
start engine,
shift to Reverse.

did the fuse blow again ? No ? Bad bulb(s).