Jag engine electronic gremlins

[Lynn Kirkpatrick]

Has anyone figured out how to fix, or replace the electronics to the XJ-J's? I see them for sale at what seem to be very reasonable prices, but hear the horror stories of reliability, or the lack therof, related to the Lucas (?) electronics. I know that some have been converted to Chevy engines, but if I wanted to drive a Camaro, I would buy one.

I really like the XJ-S's, but if it doesn't run I'll look for something else.

 

[Doug]

The majority of the Lucas wiring problems can be traced to dirty connectors....frustrating, yes, but not insurmountable and not an exclusive Jaguar fault....although the archaic "bullet" connectors do add to the grief. You may be surprised at how well things operate after spending an afternoon patiently cleaning all the connectors, terminals, grounds, etc. Don't forget to clean all the fuse holders and *replace* any suspect fuses.

High underhood temps on an XJ-S can created problems with brittle wiring, especially that wiring which runs along the engine itself. Here again a Saturday spent replacing cracked wiring may well pay off...providing you use caution and do the job neatly.

Even installing a Chevy engine does not eliminate all the worries as a goodly amount of the Jaguar wiring remains intact.

At any rate, I would think twice about attempting to rewire/replace everything. It's one helluve job and probbaly not necessary anyway. Trace down faults, repair them, and you're good to go for another 10 years or so !

Just my 2-cents
Cheers and good luck
Doug Dwyer

 

[StevenA]

Agree with Doug...I have had sooo many problems with wiring that seem to end up as "just a bad connection" somewhere that, I start with connections every time I have any electrical problem. I recently spent two months of days off checking, tightening, cleaning, and repairing every light/connector/switch, side-marker/ etc on one of my MGBs. I just started in the front and took every fixture and connector apart, then cleaned & tightened it until I got to the last one on the car...my MG runs quite well now. That all "stinks" as far as an immediate- "this afternoon" - solution; but it solves the problem and fixes many that will show up later (before they start)
Steven