Hi everyone,
Alright heres my new dilemna my 1988 XJS has a few problems and I was hoping anyone that had some insight could help me out. Well right now my biggest problem is the Cat wont run. At first I thought it was the battery than figured out it wasnt that than checked the starter all is good because you can hear the starter turning it over, checked the fuel line and fuel is getting car so I than realised that it wasnt even sparking so Im kind of stumped on what the problem is here. Im gonna check out the cap and rotor next time I get a chance but does anyone else have any ideas of why it wouldnt spark? I kind of summarized my problem so I can udnerstand if you need more info on the problem to help me narrow it down so if anyone is interested in helping me out a bit its always welcome and you can e-mail me at north_sider_athotmail.com thanks agian for all the help and tips in advance.

Alec

Submitted by Charles.Arico@… on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 06:55

Alec,

I currently have an XJS v12 that was sitting for 5+ years. Purchased not running. No one could figure what was wrong. Here is what I found. It has the Merelli ignition system. Found the two wires at the base of the distributor had been eaten by mice. I replaced these two wires. They run from the front end of the distrubter to the AB14 ign amp on the drivers side intake manifold. Before replacing make note of the color codes. I used 14gage wire. Car still wouldnt start. Checked distrubter cap and found the center contact inside the cap was broken just enough that it was not making contact with the rotor.I Replaced the cap and the car started. I do have some other issues I am working on. 89 XJS