Hey everyone. Just made a relatively cheap purchase of XJS convertible that's been sitting at my work. One previous owner as far as I can tell and looks like it's been sitting for year(s). I bought this, knowing that I need to make repairs and overall give some TLC to the vehicle.

Aside from concerns of thinning/faded paint, dry rotted tires, cobwebs everywhere and especially the leak that pools water onto the driver side floor, my BIGGEST concern is that I can't seem to get it started. It'll crank and catch a few times but doesn't want to turn over. I've been looking at fuses and relays. All fuses seem good, relays have been cleaned (all relays in the engine bay had a bit of corrosion). I still need to get a voltage meter to test all relays. My thinking is the fuel pump is not turning on (can't hear it buzz when key is turned). I can't seem to find where the relay is either. "Right hand side in the luggage compartment above wheel arch" but haven't found it yet. I've spotted the relays/motor for the convert top and fuses in front of the right tail light but no fuel pump relay.

Additional notes, it still has all old fluids in it. Bad fuel could be another culprit. I filled up the tank to a half (it was around a quarter) with unleaded cheap stuff not knowing I should've used the octane stuff. I work at auction and my lot tech only carries cheap gas.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

Great buy, but expected issues. '95 is a good year with new design engine. I believe best bet is towing it (auction yards have good contacts for it) to a reputable garage. Drain all the fluids, especially the gas! Auction yards have not only low octane fuel, but "cheap" fuel. In a pinch, put a bottle of Stabil gas tank additive and let it sits for a couple of hours. If the engine cranks, bad gas is the primary culprit. Cosmetics are after-the-fact category with which to deal. When fitting new tires, or while in the shop, check brakes and look for damage/corrosion/leaks underneath. Good luck!
Dave in AZ

 

bgcine,

If the car has been standing for years, I wouldn't even try and start it yet. Drain and change the engine oil. Then syphon out ALL the fuel and refuel it. Modern petrol goes off really quite quickly and if you've just added a few gallons to a quarter tank of old stale petrol, it won't have done much good.

The relays on the right are hidden up the insider of the inner wing. Put a flashlight up there or take a photo with your phone and you'll see them. You have an in-tank pump so it can be a little difficult to hear it run. Get someone to turn on teh ignition whilst you're listening in the boot to see if it runs for a few seconds.

Good luck

Paul

 

Ultimately towing to a shop was my goal, get some of the heavier repairs done in order to make it road worthy. I was hoping to get it running myself so I could listen to the engine and make sure everything sounds as healthy as it can be. There's a reason why this car is sitting in the graveyard and why it sat for so long, just wish I knew. Thank you!

 

Thank you Paul! If it's not possible for myself or my mechanics to get it started there are a few Euro service shops around my location that'll hopefully be able to help.

"The relays on the right are hidden up the insider of the inner wing" I assume behind the carpet paneling that's beside the battery? I tried peeling that carpet paneling back from the top (near trunk lid seal) to see if I could spot the relays but no luck. Next time, I'll try removing that panel to try and get to it.

 

Oh and another thing I noticed while inspecting the vehicle. Paint on the top of the vehicle is scratched, worn and faded but all of the chrome fittings are near mint. I'm not sure how that could happen. There's moss on the lower trim and on the convert top and evidence of moisture damage inside the car but yet the chrome is clean and fairly shiny.

 

Crankshaft position sensors are known for going bad, that could be a cause of the no start. First I would try fresh fuel and see what that does.

 

Hi bgcine

The Fuel Pump relay is just behind the Steel Plate to which the Boot/Trunk gas strut has been bolted onto just to the right of the Battery and Soft Top Pump on a UK Car

It is the Silver Relay that is hidden out of sight up under the Inner Wing/Fender in the Boot/Trunk, so if you can manage to stand on your head then you might just be able to see it!

If you need to remove that Gas Strut for any reason at all, just be aware that the Boot/Trunk Lid, feels like it weighs a Ton!

Also be very Careful about taking her to a Shop, as if She needs a New Fuel Pump then you could be looking at a Bill for around $2,000+ I'm kidding you Not!

Because the Fuel Tank may have to come out, or at least pulled back enough to put a New Fuel Pump in, which is very labour intensive and expensive!

Where having done this job myself, I can well understand why, as doing this job is a 'Nightmare of Epic Proportions'

So if you take her to a Shop, put your Street Wise Head on and get an estimate before they touch her, or you could well end up with a Bill for Thousands!

Though if its not the Fuel Pump and you want to try and get her running yourself

Have a look at my Thread 'Carmen Won't Start' where I had to try almost every trick in the book to get her running, as I eventually did including loads of Photos Carmen Won't Start! almost every trick in the book to get my AJ16 Engine Running

Good Luck

Alex

 

Remove the ECM in the passenger foot well. There is a Kick panel on the right side. Check for wetness in this area and check the connections at the ECM for corrosion. Check the bump sensor on the front of the driver side door frame. It cuts off the fuel pump in case of an accident. Just press the top in to reset.

 

First of all, if the pump isn’t working, there is a safety switch just by the hinges of the passenger side door. You’ll notice a little bump out and if you feel underneath, there’ll be a button. Press that. It may reset that fuel pump.

Google “Jaguar XJS fuel cutoff inertia switch” for more information.

 

I have a 93 XJS sat for 10 plus years in a garage in FL. You will need to overall the entire fuel system, if been sitting for a long period of time. Fuel Tank has lots of rust I know your in AZ, but still rusty. To help have you tried to crank it spraying fuel directly into the throttle body? This way you bypass the fuel system. If it starts then its definitely the fuel system. If not then I would start working on getting the engine started before working on the fuel system. I did not 1/2 step when I update my fuel system. I replaced all components inside the fuel tank, cleaned out the tank, replaced the cradle and pump, fuel injectors, plugs, fuel pressure unit. Good Luck