Hello all;
just bought 2 more Jags. 1987 and a 1989
1989 xjs had an engine fire and need help on the wiring harness and all the related parts on the top of motor (the other owner had a gas leak and did not fix it so it caught fire). Also need to find a drivers outside door handles for both these old cars. Would like to find a good repair manual that dont cost much. I like the old school manuals as the computer just dont do it for me all the time and am having a hard time finding good info. Would like to make my own harness for the 89. has anyone done this before here on the forums.

 

I made my own harness for my 89. Its not all that hard if you follow the schematic. The only thing that can complicate it, is it being a Marelli ignition car. Very easy to tell the difference. Look at the distributor cap. If it is a large diameter, with only a single coil wire in the center, it has the same Lucas ignition as the 87. If it has a smaller diameter cap, with a center coil wire, as well as another coil wire just off center, it is a Marelli car. The Marelli ignition is a great ignition that many seem to be leery of. The only thing is, the Marelli ignition has small coax going to the crank speed sensors. It HAS to have these. I can fill you in much more, but you need to determine what you have first. There is a small black box on top of the engine of the 87. If the 89 has the same, look no further. That too, indicates a Lucas ignition.
As far as a workshop manual, i would shop eBay for a factory manual. Maybe not all that inexpensive, but well worth the money. For absolutely free though, you can download the manual from Kirby Palm. Hundreds of pages of "experience in a book"

 

I have been looking on ebay for factory manuals and have not seen any at all. This car has the Lucas wiring for sure though. Been looking around for a parts car but cant find that either. seems like these cars have all disappeared as I just dont see any of them around. If you have some wiring help diagrams it would help along with a source for the plugs. This car was burnt and there is not much in the way t trace the wires. Thanks for the help!

 

Lots of useful stuff on here.

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Lots of PDF format manual on the internet, many available free.

This may be useful

 

Contact David over at EverydayXJ.com. He has a lot of used XJS parts and may have the harnesses that you need. His prices are very reasonable and it will save you a lot of time over making your own. Tell him Mark sent you.


Mark

 

I have two sets of door handles, both from 89 xjs. what interior parts do you need with them ??
Ken in WV you can pm me.

 

jag repair does not completely download on my computer. gets stuck at 98% and I get a message that says internet stopped working window. (windows 8)