Hmm...

I read what Grant suggested about the trans modulator and agree,,, and I'm still at the point (well, I just read the gentleman's first post) of trans fluid UP that high in the engine bay.... where did it really come from and where and what did it get into...???

Sure, some coming up the dip stick tube and spilling is perfectly positioned to dribble down and fry on the manifold and down pipes - BUT I thought the OP said "the tube and maybe other places"...

If it was up the filler/check tube, that and only, ok... BUT,,, if a ton of trans oil got sucked up that vac tube due to a failed modulator, made it into the intake, then fouled some or all of the plugs on the RH half O the engine, that could be a thing, no?

Did I miss a discovery about the trans fluid situation?

 

So first off apologies for the delay in responding. I had taken the 84 XJS to a Jaguar specialist just to have the vehicle reviewed by a pro. They wanted to do a full tune-up (replace the distributor cap, spark plugs, wires, coil, amplifier) but couldn't diagnosis that any of those items were causing the issue. I plan to do all of those items myself, as well as replace the fuel line hoses, and have the car back in my possession. So that will be the next steps.

Currently, I'm trying to get a sense of the fuel pump status and the fuel tank to see if there were any visible leaks. When I pulled out the trunk carpets etc., I removed the battery but before doing so noticed that a red wire w/ black ring connector was unattached to the battery or any ground contacts. The radio didn't work when I got the vehicle so that could be a live wire connection but I didn't know if anyone would have a better idea?

Thoughts?

 

That's aftermarket, for sure. There should be no need for that for the radio as all connections are already there from the factory. It looks like it goes forward from there, and you might need to remove the back seat to trace where it goes. Given that it's a red wire with an inline fuse, it would likely go to the positive battery terminal, whatever it is.

 

Aerial circuit?

 

Thanks jal1234 and Greg for getting back so quickly. It started to rain here and I have the vehicle in the driveway at the moment so need to stop working on it. I plan to get it into the garage tomorrow. One of the previous owners installed an aftermarket CD player and I wonder if that line was added at that time. Still, the first mission is running through the checklists provided on this thread to get the vehicle to start, and then I can circle back to this one. I'll post back once I have an update.

 

That ODD wire.

I would NOT simply connect it without knowing what it is for. An electrical fire on an unknown car is a sad, sad thing.

Jaguar did not fit odd wires like that on any car.

Just saying.