As per George Balthrop’s message to me, the fault with the '88 XJ-
SC V12 was indeed the wires going to the distributor pickup.
Unfortunately the wire is cut/broken right where it enters in to a
blue rubber cover sitting up against the distribtor. I have not
opened the distributor yet to see if the wires extend in or if it
is a direct part of the pickup. I am expecting this to require a
new pickup. Does anyone have any experience with aftermarket
pickups?
My local parts places offer the following (either in stock or
available same day):
Standard LX564 $132.29
Wells RB124 $94.99
Jaguar AEU1721 $225.99
Are any one of these better than the other? I am heading back out
to look at it, however I suspect I will be needing to replace it.
Also how difficult is it to replace the pickup? (and properly
install/adjust of course!)
In reply to a message from RichardL sent Thu 31 Mar 2005:
The harness is part of the pick-up. I bought my new pick-up from
Coventry West.
MICE! Ate that harness on my pickup and that’s what started my
rehab of my '83 XJ-S. Looks like that’s what may have happened to
your car. I installed a piece of that black split nylon wire loom
cover available in auto parts stores to try to keep the mice away
from that hatness.
In a message dated 3/31/2005 10:12:15 AM Eastern Standard Time, “RichardL” rich.jag@rlan.net writes:
Unfortunately the wire is cut/broken right where it enters in to a
blue rubber cover sitting up against the distribtor. �I have not
opened the distributor yet to see if the wires extend in or if it
is a direct part of the pickup.
Hi Rich:
The pickup includes the wires that run through the blue grommet to the two-pronged plug in front of the distributor. The wires are ~ 2" from the plug to the grommet & inside the distributor, a little less than 3" from the grommet to the pickup.
Being the “Bottom-fisherman” that I am, I would fix it rather than replace a $100 part because of a broken wire, and it can probably be done in ~ 1 hour.
Since one wire is already broken at the grommet I would just cut the other at the same place if necessary to remove the grommet. Remove the Distributor Cap, the rotor the flash shield and the pickup. Remove the wires from the grommet. Place some shrinkwrap on the wire to slide into place once the break is spliced. Solder the splice and slide the shrinkwrap into place. Use some RTV (silicone) on the grommet (or in place of the grommet) to reseal the opening at the front of the distributor when done.
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
85 & 89 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP