I test drove a great looking 97 today with only 30,000 miles. This thing was mint inside and out. Problem was it was dog slow .... like 15ish seconds 0 to 60. Engine sounded fine, really smooth, no rattle like I've read about here, no smoke. And it did get up to highway speed eventually just really slow. It shifted at about 5.5k RPM WOT, I think the other ones I have driven shift about 6.5 or 7k.

Is this the "limp home mode" I hae read about? There were no messages on the instrument panel, I would think there would be a warning somewhere if the engine was doing that.

I stopped the car and read the codes with a generic reader and got back P1111 and P1645.

I also ran the diagnostic on the HVAC and it came up with 14 but I doubt that is related.

The seller wants top dollar and it has the looks to go with a high price but I couldn't pay it considering the codes. Any idea what this could be?

 

I searched around for the P1645 code without a lot of success . . . even for your specific year. I did find the code for the Jaguar X type indicating a fuel pump resistor issue. Fuel pressure could address the lack of power you describe if, indeed, it is appropriate to the '97 MY.

Let us know.

 

1111 System (OBD) checks complete since last memory clear and is normal

as test point - found nothing for 1645

 

I suppose it is possible I wrote it down wrong, there was certainly a second code. Thanks for the attempt.

My heart is telling me I want this car my head is telling me walk away.

 

Listen to your heart!

These cars are a treasure and need to be enjoyed.

Lots of us are around to help.

Drove mine a hundred miles today just to celebrate some sunshine and dry roads.

 

Doesn't sound like restricted mode since it would rev up to 5500 rpm. Maybe a fuel issue or something with the throttle body (stuck butterfly?).

In any event, I would not pay "top dollar" for a car that already has issues. Your heart may want it, but your wallet will be paying for the repairs. Lots of good ones out there.

 

I wouldn't pay top dollar for a 97 even if it had the tensioners replaced because of the nickasil issue. I paid 12k for my 03 with 70k on it. If you really love it, it doesn't matter...if its the color you like and etc...life is too short to worry about a little cash... I paid about 25k more than my house is worth but its exactly what I wanted , where I wanted so I could have spent possibly years finding another. All the cars I have bought called out to me. If this one is then you need to buy it. Use your knowledge of the issues these cars have to negotiate a lower price. If he won't budge then he doesn't really want to sell it.....I spent over a year looking for the one I got and it's not perfect but it's beautiful and I could see the tears in the owners eyes as I drove her away.

 

Code P1645 does not appear in the Jaguar DTC listing for the 1997 XK8.

If it's not simply that you copied it down wrongly, then suspect the code reader you are using.

With any Jaguar - if in doubt, walk away.

Graham

 

I had an early Mazda RX7 in the early 80's, it would go quite well until about 60-70 mph then its acceleration was slow, turned out to be the fuel filter. As the one you are looking at is a 97 the fuel filter may be gunged up a bit restricting flow, just a thought.
Hope it works out well for you.


Cheers,


ArtyH

 

Arty,

A very good point.

With only 30K in approaching 17 years, there could be all kinds of c**p in the tank and filter.

Graham

 

When we bought our 2003 it felt sluggish until I adjusted the throttle cable (DIY sticky here somewhere). When we bought it we'd have to push way down on the throttle to get anywhere and even then it seemed like a lot of the horses in the stable had somehow gotten out ... we were just not able to get full throttle. After a 10 minute adjustment to the throttle cable it now jumps off the line and moves out like a Jag should.

Just an idea.