Please baer with me as I am new to the forum and this is my first post. My fianc?®'s elderly mother has a 2002 XJ8 VP model with only 2000 miles, that's correct 2000 miles. Approximately two years ago I put in a new battery because it had been sitting for several months and the battery had died. Replaced the battery, car started just fine, everything was good. Instructed her to run the car at least once a month but she didn't do it and killed another battery. Last summer got a new battery but did not install it and periodically put it on the battery charger to keep it fresh. Now after not having a battery in the car for nine months, I put the battery in the car, the car cranks just fine, all electronics seem to functioning, car just won't start. If I use a little starting fluid, car starts up but will not continue to run. I'm pretty sure it's a few related issue but I'm not sure if there's any type of electronic control device that needs to be reset since there was no power to the vehicle for nine months. Since I don't have a wiring diagram for this vehicle, I'm wondering if somebody can tell me are there any type of kill switches, inertia switches or relays that I can quickly check/reset to see if I'm not getting power to the fuel pump. While it's possible the pump is bad after all these years, it's only got 2000 miles on it so I don't believe it's the pump.

Thanks for any help.
Rick

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 10:33

Rick,

Unfortunately, the scenario you cited makes the in-tank fuel pump the most likely culprit. These rotary vane pumps don't like really long periods without running. They seize and put you afoot. There is a pump test valve port on the fuel rail where the pressure can be tested. I'd have that checked first.

Good luck!

Submitted by Ricochet96@AOL.com on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 09:27

Howard
Thanks for the response. Car was never in an accident, just the classic case of the little old lady that rarely ever drove the car. Its in mint condition. Still smells new! That said, I found in one post somewhere there is an Inertia Reset switch on the 2003. It's located up near the driver's feet. I was planning on checking that the next time I go by her house. Do you know if there is some type of a reset button for the fuel pump in the trunk on this model year? If so do you know roughly where it is what it looks like? Sadly I've never worked on the Jag most of my experience is on German cars.

Rick

Submitted by Ricochet96@AOL.com on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 17:20

Howard
Thanks for the response. Car was never in an accident, just the classic case of the little old lady that rarely ever drove the car. Its in mint condition. Still smells new! That said, I found in one post somewhere there is an Inertia Reset switch on the 2003. It's located up near the driver's feet. I was planning on checking that the next time I go by her house. Do you know if there is some type of a reset button for the fuel pump in the trunk on this model year? If so do you know roughly where it is what it looks like? Sadly I've never worked on the Jag most of my experience is on German cars.

Rick

Submitted by NE98-51693 on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 12:16

Rick
I would suspect a fuel issue is the cause. Fuel injectors could be plugged up. I believe there is a port to check fuel pressure at the engine and that may be a good place to start as well. Also, there is probably a fuel pump reset in the trunk that may be worth checking to see that it is in the proper position, it may have become disengaged, "thinking the car was in an accident"
Lastly, the fuel is probably very old and if possible it should be refreshed and topped off with fresh. Syphon and refill would be most difficult.
Good Luck
Howard