Jaguar 1997 XJ Executive wont start - please please help

[scottXJ]

I recently purchased a 1997 XJ Exec 3.2l, it starts intermittently (mostly with east start spray), initially burning very rich, flooding the cylinder and soaking the spark plugs on non start, has now started to burn lean and the spark plugs are dry on non start almost as if the injectors are not firing. I have checked the inertia switch but this appears to be in working order and checked for fault code no current codes 1 saved code p1621 cylinder circuit malfunction. The car had been lying idle for a month or so and was low on petrol too. I have taken it for a good few runs and it runs well. I have had a mechanic out a few times who gave me the above report

[8Ace]

Can't help with his but am interested in the responses as it might be applicable to me too.

My x300 3.2 run absolutely flawlessly (wait for it - I'm not boasting) but if I leave it for a week it's a bugger to start.

It will just turn over and over, the exhaust smells very rich and when it eventually does get going it feels like it's running on >6 cylinders.

I good run later and it's OK, and wil run perfectly again for another n thousand miles until I leave it for a week or so.

OP - hope you get a good response and it will help me too!

[andyt1320]

It could be battery related, I used to have an XJ8 that did this until I fitted a new battery, even though the battery would turn the car over ok it allowed too much of a drop in voltage for the rest of the engine electrics to behave themselves. Also I found that you could cause this to happen if the car was started and then stopped before warming up so I always allow the car time to run and warm before turning off ( I used to fire it up for a few minutes every now and then if left stood and this didn;t help) I understand that this can affect the XK8 also which I have now so I allow the car to idle whist I pack away the car cover that it lives under and I have not seen this problem.