[xj] Photos of the console/ 5 speed

XJ
21

Continuing agrace & apace, Paul!–
Alex
79xj6L SII (BRG + wires)
86xj6 SIII (Black)
61 Sprite MkII (Red)
Menlo Park, Calif.

Paul M. Novak wrote:

This is a follow up on to my recent post (see below) about some
electrical problems I had with my 1984 XJ6 VdP. Thanks for all the
helpful advice.

As some of you might remember I disassembled most everything on the
interior and exterior of this car for a repaint. In addition I replaced
the instrument panel and replaced it with a NOS OEM burlwood dash, I
removed and replaced all the seats and center console and treated and
dyed all the leather and vinyl. For all practical purposes the car now
looks brand new. But of course lots of things had to be taken apart and
put back together properly.

I was definitely in a rush to get the car ready for the concours season,
so it wasn’t surprising that a few gremlins popped up.

It looks like I fixed both my engine power loss and instrument panel
power problems from the original post.

I believe the engine power loss was either a bad power resistor
or bad connection to the power resistor. I believe I was only running
on three cylinders as only three fuel injectors were firing. I removed
all the wires from my old cracked plastic power resistor connector and
replaced it with a good one from my spare parts car. In the process I
cleaned up all the dirty and tarnished contacts, oiled them with
dielectric grease and replaced the power resistor with a spare one.

I believe that the instrument panel gage power problems were due
to my removal of an aftermarket “Headlights On Reminder Buzzer” that I
removed right prior to the concours to avoid questions if the buzzer
should go off during the Operation Verification test. I think I must
have loosened the fuse. I reinstalled the “Headlights On Reminder
Buzzer” and haven’t had a problem with the gages since.

Of course I also removed, cleaned, oiled and replaced the
battery cables, the main power terminal post and ground, the gage
grounds at the rear of the instrument panel and the grounds at the rear
of the coolant rail. I took the battery in to a local auto parts shop
and it checked out good. Any or all of them could have been at least
partially to blame.

I didn’t suspect the ignition switch as I replaced that a few
years ago and upon visual inspection it didn’t appear to have any issue.

I have put on about 500 miles since fixing things and everything was
been working correctly.

===================================================
The archives and FAQ will answer many queries on the XJ series…
FAQs: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/index.html
Archives: Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers

To remove yourself from this list, go to Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers.

// please trim quoted text to context only

22

Zurdo,

I believe that there are two types of people in this world;

  1. Those who have left their head lights on and have drained their
    battery

  2. Those who will leave their head lights on and will drain their
    battery

    I also look back at my beautiful 1984 XJ6 VdP after parking and
    walking away. But I also carry jumper cables in the car just in case.

    Years ago I learned on other cars that it is possible for
    drivers in my family (including me) to leave the headlights on and drain
    the battery if the car isn’t equipped with a buzzer. This usually
    happens at the worst possible time and location.

    This does not happen anymore due to these relatively inexpensive
    and readily available aftermarket kits that cost a few dollars and only
    take a few minutes to install.

    This was my first year of serious involvement in the concours.
    I have been a judge for a few years, but this was my first shot at
    making my 1984 XJ6 VdP competitive in the Driven Division. I found the
    experience very positive, the competition challenging and the
    opportunity to meet other Jaguar enthusiasts interested in improving
    their cars rewarding.

    Concours participation has added a new and fun dimension to my
    Jaguar hobby. I plan to compete again next year at the Champion Division
    level. It’s not really for the trophies, but for the challenge.

Regards,

Paul M. Novak

1990 XJ-S Classic Collection convertible
1984 XJ6 Vanden Plas
1969 E-Type Fixed Head Coupe
1957 MK VIII Saloon
1985 XJ6 Vanden Plas (parts)
Ramona, CA
@Paul_M_Novak1-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xj@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xj@jag-lovers.org] On Behalf
Of zurdo
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 1:18 PM
To: xj@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [xj] SOLVED: Engine and electrical strangeness, 1984 XJ6
VdP {Scanned}

In reply to a message from Paul M. Novak sent Sun 4 Nov 2007:

of course the 1984 is the best of all Series 3 years, as a few of
us know, (just kiddin’), so I’m not surprised you got it fixed.

I was going to install a Lights On Buzzer, but since I always take
second or third looks at the car, I guess I can be my own alarm.

But I wonder if the existing Put On Your Seatbelt Buzzer can be
used for a Don’t Leave The Headlights Switch On Buzzer, since I
never forget to strap my belt On, but I do forget to turn the light
switch off, when I use the driving lights during the day.

Otherwise, I’m not worried about what any car show judge might
think of modifications made to my Jags. If there was Big Money
involved it would be one thing, but for a $7.99 trophy?? I have a
collection of those from when I was a champion Bowler and I have no
idea what to do with them. Can’t sell them, nobody wants them. I
don’t care for more trophies or awards. Excess baggage.

Zurdo

The original message included these comments:

electrical problems I had with my 1984 XJ6 VdP. Thanks for all the
helpful advice.
put back together properly.
cleaned up all the dirty and tarnished contacts, oiled them with
dielectric grease and replaced the power resistor with a spare one.
Of course I also removed, cleaned, oiled and replaced the
grounds at the rear of the instrument panel and the grounds at the
rear
of the coolant rail. I took the battery in to a local auto parts shop
and it checked out good. Any or all of them could have been at least
years ago and upon visual inspection it didn’t appear to have any
issue.
been working correctly.

–
1965 3.8 ‘S’ 1984 XJ-6
Florida, United States

===================================================
The archives and FAQ will answer many queries on the XJ series…
FAQs: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/index.html
Archives: Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers

To remove yourself from this list, go to Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers.

// please trim quoted text to context only

23

In reply to a message from Paul M. Novak sent Mon 5 Nov 2007:

Paul, different strokes for different drummers I guess…

Besides, my car wouldn’t pass based on the mods I’ve done, but I
would not bother to go back to the way it was just for exhibition,
because my car is for driving.

Look at my pics below and count the deductions, you’ll see why I
don’t bother. Note there are many other mods not shown.
http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1194359922

Alex, Santa does not visit me anymore, so that’s why I send my
letters through others!

Enjoy!

Zurdo–
The original message included these comments:

I believe that there are two types of people in this world;
I also look back at my beautiful 1984 XJ6 VdP after parking and
walking away. But I also carry jumper cables in the car just in case.
happens at the worst possible time and location.
This was my first year of serious involvement in the concours.
I have been a judge for a few years, but this was my first shot at
level. It’s not really for the trophies, but for the challenge.

–
1965 3.8 ‘S’ 1984 XJ-6
Florida, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

===================================================
The archives and FAQ will answer many queries on the XJ series…
FAQs: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/index.html
Archives: Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers

To remove yourself from this list, go to Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers.

// please trim quoted text to context only