these XK8's beautiful as they are seem to have been designed to falter at the slightest problem.
Oh for those more simple days when solutions to V8 engines and the metal and bobbins surrounding them weren't so prone to code based interference ...
Wonder how Jaguar would be thought off if the E-Type and XK150's were prone to such niggling computer problems.
The sheer quality of the machine and parts should make it pull thru - no?
(Puffs on Pipe) - my Spit got me through many a scrape with the Bosch with just a tweak from old Sam the Spanner and a knock with a toffee hammer on occasion what?
Twice sometimes three sorties a day we'd be up there jousting ...

 

But then again, old chap, those old XK's and E-Types needed a lot of tinkering on a regular basis to keep them running well. Plugs, points, carbs... no thanks!

 

So, you're annoyed because every time the car's computers detect a minor anomaly it shows up as a fault? As opposed to finding out when it's too late? I think I prefer having the codes show up early.

 

I think the general consensus is that if you find one that has been properly serviced during its lifetime, once you sort through the remaining inherent issues with the assistance of this forum you'll have a strong car that can go the distance for you. That seems to be the case with my wife's 2006 XK8. We acquired it nearly two years ago, I spent $1,500 or so during its first year getting it up to par, and it's been solid ever since. She's taken it from 36,000 miles at acquisition to pushing 76,000 miles today. No complaints at this point for a car that I purchased for about a quarter of its original MSRP....

 

don't quite get British humour ...
I was having a little laugh there ...
i don't want the car to restrict so much power when the battery needs a little charge tho'
I want it to say - hey fella - could u give me some juice here ...
This car has FSH - 90% Genuine Jaguar Dealer. Serviced right on the dot too.
I feel i did buy a good one and i do love it already.
I am very grateful for any advice u guys give to keep one of these incredibly beautiful cars running sweet.
Much Love

 

I have to agree with LondonBoy in that there are a number of really inexcusable flaws with this car. First are the number of false positive warning messages that can pop up unpredictably at random times and then suddenly disappear. My guess is that it has something to do with the fact that ". . . Some circuits transfer data along multiplexing lines, passing through several components that appear unconnected in their use or purpose, down the same wire but at different frequencies. . . " which can ". . . lead to erroneous messages on the dashboard, which may result in error messages in the diagnostics that bear little resemblance to what has actually gone wrong . . . " according to Nigel Thorley's book. Moreover the electrical problems are exacerbated by something as simple as a battery that has slightly gone down in power.

Then there is the use of questionable materials for critical functions such as plastic thermostat housings, plastic secondary tensioners, inadequate hoses for the convertible top hydraulics, etc.

The reason some of have "no complaints" is precisely because we have bought these beautiful cars at a fraction of what they cost new. Still those types of flaws are really inexcusable for a vehicle that was in the neighborhood of $80-$100K when new.

Doug

 

Has anyone took one of these back to basics without a computer on board? (Not that i could) just maybe someones stuck in a big V8 and ran it all the old fashioned way?