I noticed when looking for certain parts they split 1989 xjs v12s into 2 categories; up to VIN 157117 and after 157118. I looked on Google for an answer and couldn't find a good description of what the main differences were. Sorry if this is an answered question already, but does anyone know the main differences? Is one more desirable than the other? Mine is an after 157118 model.

 

Most likely the introduction of marelli digital ignition although the electrical guide put that at a different VIN number.(156989)

 

is that the ignition many people seem to have issues with? New to Jag xjs ownership so any info is welcome. Thanks!

 

Yep, the "mighty Marelli" introduction. That I remember from when at Jaguar here.

Marelli is OK, IF, and a HUGE IF, you maintain it 100%, as near enough is not near good enough.

Genuine, or even good quality, is extremely hard to find.

Front and rear crank sensors are OLD now, and they dont last forever in any car.

Go through it, ALL, every connector etc etc, quietly and systematically, and YES, some |$$ will be spent, and repeat in 20 years time.

Do that an item at a time, as it fails, and you will live under the bonnet, and the flatbeds will be on your speed dial, FACT.

 

MichiganNick,

The concept of "Model Years" is a very US-centric one, with an expectation that a vehicle spec will change every year.

The XJS "1989 Model Year" commenced in December 1988. My documentation seems to indicate that, for some reason, the spec changes occurred at 3 different VIN points very close to each other:

156989 - XJS HE Coupe
157116 - XJS 3.6
157119 - XJS HE Convertible

I don't know why this is referenced. Maybe there were a few part-built models coming down the production line in the different engine and body configuration that needed to be finished ? Who knows?

Apart from the very significant switch to Marelli for the V12, I'm not sure what other trim changes happened. I'm sure some of the US owners will know the difference. The good news is that nearly all XJS 1989 MY cars were actually made in 1989! And as, we know, most other countries refer to a car by the year it was made or sold.

Hope that helps

Paul

 

Abbitionally, at or around this point in the VIN sequence, the column switchgear changed to Ford switchgear; the seats changed to slightly narrower "Recaro" style seats, the aircon changed to Delanair III, and the column in and out adjustment was deleted in favour of the Ford up and down adjustment.
Additionally, all Marelli V12 engines have 11.5:1 compression ratio, whereas before with Lucas igntion HE engines the USA had 11.5:1 and the UK and RoW (maybe with a few exceptions) had 12.5:1 CR I understand, but am not 100% certain, that this was achieved by altering the gudgeon pin height (wrist pin height) on the pistons.

 

There was also changes around this time to the central locking/OEM security offered, possibly the time the car moved to modern style fuses throughout (Mine has these, VIN 163xxx), speed sensor relocated to diff, ABS? IIRC 1989 was the year of peak XJS production so there might have been a few changes wrapped up within/around 1989.
Then I think the next big changes was 1990 where airbags, new interior switches etc came in.

 

So the 89 model is basically a Hodge Podge of Anything and Everything. Sounds like they threw everything at it, including the Kitchen Sink. LOL!

Jack

 

Weren’t ABS brakes added sometime around this point as well?

 

gareth,

ABS was much earlier, back at early 87 build,

Paul
.

 

Not in the US, at least. We didn't get ABS until the 1989 model year, with starting build dates of mid to late 1988. This was at VIN 148782 and on, according to the XJS 1989 Model Year Update from Jaguar.
EDIT: Heres a link to the update.
http://jagrepair.com/images/Electric...S%20Update.pdf
Jon

 

Hi Jon,

Apols, the changepoint I referred to was when Jaguar were fitting a revised rotor ring in prep for ABS.

There's a bit of confusion over the exact startpoint of ABS, with some cars built in late 87 having it for demos, motorshows etc.

Some of the parts changepoints indicate that all cars after VIN 147269 had it, and some documentation says it was at the intro of 1988.5 MY at VIN 148782 as you mentioned

VIN 148782 was built at the end of Jan 1988, not mid to late 1988. So all cars which are built after Jan 1988 have ABS.

Cheers

Paul

 

I'm glad Jaguar kept such clear and unambiguous records!

 

Data point: Both my XJSs were titled as 89.5 model year and had Marelli ignition. They both had ABS and the seats with the substantial bolsters + automatic seatbelts. Texas and Tennessee bought.