I'm looking at a 89 duster with 12 cylinder. It has sat for 5 years the owner bought it as a project, had it tuned upon but went to start it and she said only one side on the engine was running, someone said it needed an ignition amplifier any ideas. I know it's not much to go on but that's all I have

 

I meant xjs don't know why I changed to duster

 

Sounds like a classic failure of the Marelli ignition....the typical symptom being one bank of cylinders shutting down. It's sorta like two ignition systems in one. One easy way to tell if you have Marelli ignition is to look for the two ignition modules above the radiator. Or, look for two coil wires going to the distributor cap.

If you DO have the Marelli ignition.....

Pull the distributor cap and, more than likely, you'll see a burned-thru ignition rotor.

The rotor on the 'Marelli' cars was a dual plane affair with two arms operating...well...on two different planes. You'll see.

Or one of the modules may have failed, or one of the coils.

The lots more to discuss but let's wait until you verify that you have the Marelli ignition.

Cheers
DD

 

I just purchased a 1990 Xjs with v12. The car has sat in a garage for the last 5 years not running. The person I bought it from had purchased it not running, she had someone tune it up but she said only one side of the engine ran, ? Rotor button- cap?? Also before I try and start it is there anything I should do since it sat so Long. Any ad vice would be greatly appreciated. Steve hill. Stone mountain ha.

 

Previously asked and answered !

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...ng-buy-177998/

I would repost this in the "XJS" section

Cheers
DD

 

Welcome to the forum Jaginfo,

I've merged your two threads in General Tech Help and moved them to XJS forum. This is the place to post questions about your model.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

1990 V12 that'll be Marelli.

If it were me, I would do all the maintenance/replacements now.

Definitely replace
- Spark Plugs
- Ignition leads
- Thermostats
- Cooling hoses
- Fuel hoses
- All fluids including brake fluid.

Check, replace and clean if needed
- Injectors
- Radiator - remove it and have it rod cleaned or re-cored.
- Distributor cap
- Rotor
Genuine Marelli cap and rotor are much better quality than aftermarket so if they are original DO NOT replace them unless they are bad. OEM have Marelli molded into them.


I would also remove the injection loom and make or purchase a new one, there is a couple of good threads on the forum that'll help you make a new harness. Being a Marelli the harness from the ignitors on the radiator top support to the 2 coils will also be crispy so I would make a new one of these also.

I'm sure I will have forgotten something and someone else will chime in.

While the plugs are out you could pour a little lubricant down the cylinders.

Most important tool is a manual these are available on CDROM from JDHT or eBay.

 

Also looking for a passenger side (right) door panel or door card. Trim code AFW, As well as a console lid. And help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Car is 1990 convertible