What have I done.... (offer accepted on a 1997 XJ8)
Discussion
I've been looking around for a 4.0 LWB Sovereign, and a 1997 model came up on eBay tonight on Buy it now or Best offer. I speculatively, perhaps rashly put an offer in and the seller only went and accepted it!
So I'll be collecting it some point next week. Gulp...
The main reason for this purchase was my mum & dad are having a big anniversary do this summer so I wanted something they would appreciate being ferried around in as we'll have a few events where they will be the guests of honour. My mum's always joked that I would buy her a Jag when I "grew up and became a millionaire", so I thought I'd surprise her when we pick them up on the day of the party in one.
Instead of doing the sensible thing of hiring/borrowing one, I thought I'd also scratch the lifelong itch for an old shape XJ and drive around in it for a while, before selling it on (or if my dad fancies swapping it for his volvo!).
So I've broken all my rules for buying cars, and rushed right into this one. On the surface it seems ok, it's low mileage, has a fair bit of history, some work done on the common problem areas (front suspension mounts rust sorted, new gearbox, replaced headliner, nothing about tensioner replacement though...). But I know from experience you often see a very different car when you go and see it in the flesh so will be sweating all the way over to Essex when I go and collect and pay for it, even if I'm paying just north of £1000.
So if anyone's interested I'll let you know what happens, and post up some pics. I'll be finding out a bit more about the car from the seller tomorrow, and hope to pick it up later next week.
So I'll be collecting it some point next week. Gulp...
The main reason for this purchase was my mum & dad are having a big anniversary do this summer so I wanted something they would appreciate being ferried around in as we'll have a few events where they will be the guests of honour. My mum's always joked that I would buy her a Jag when I "grew up and became a millionaire", so I thought I'd surprise her when we pick them up on the day of the party in one.
Instead of doing the sensible thing of hiring/borrowing one, I thought I'd also scratch the lifelong itch for an old shape XJ and drive around in it for a while, before selling it on (or if my dad fancies swapping it for his volvo!).
So I've broken all my rules for buying cars, and rushed right into this one. On the surface it seems ok, it's low mileage, has a fair bit of history, some work done on the common problem areas (front suspension mounts rust sorted, new gearbox, replaced headliner, nothing about tensioner replacement though...). But I know from experience you often see a very different car when you go and see it in the flesh so will be sweating all the way over to Essex when I go and collect and pay for it, even if I'm paying just north of £1000.
So if anyone's interested I'll let you know what happens, and post up some pics. I'll be finding out a bit more about the car from the seller tomorrow, and hope to pick it up later next week.
Does it feel any different now you have had a sleep?
Seriously though, we are interested in purchases like this - most of us have done rash things and glad we did (sometimes!)
Can we see the listing so we are with you from the start?
More pics and observations will be welcome and as well as the sounds of air being sucked through teeth from some, there is a lot of really great help on here, should it be necessary to ensure that your Parents have a memorable time wafting along in almost silent comfort. You can probably tell that, just like Jaguar Steve I really love these underrated cars and have a few bits on my site with some work done.
www.stallard-engineering.co.uk
Regards,
Ian
Seriously though, we are interested in purchases like this - most of us have done rash things and glad we did (sometimes!)
Can we see the listing so we are with you from the start?
More pics and observations will be welcome and as well as the sounds of air being sucked through teeth from some, there is a lot of really great help on here, should it be necessary to ensure that your Parents have a memorable time wafting along in almost silent comfort. You can probably tell that, just like Jaguar Steve I really love these underrated cars and have a few bits on my site with some work done.
www.stallard-engineering.co.uk
Regards,
Ian
Edited by Orcadian on Monday 23 May 08:34
One of my customers had a wee football party in the house and got pissed with his mates. He's an Audi man, but had always fancied a Jag. He awoke in the morning with a huge hangover and a text from a guy in London asking when he was picking up the XJR he had bought on E Bay last night!!
He remembers nothing, but had to fly down to the smoke and pick this car up. Unfortunately it was rotten in the inner sills and floorpan, but I think he had it repaired because it was such a good driver.
Beware of E Bay and the booze!!
J
He remembers nothing, but had to fly down to the smoke and pick this car up. Unfortunately it was rotten in the inner sills and floorpan, but I think he had it repaired because it was such a good driver.
Beware of E Bay and the booze!!
J
A mate of mine once bought a tractor Many thanks Ian, I have read some very useful posts in this section so I have a little idea what I'm getting myself in to, and being a car lover who likes a story like this will hope to give you all my experience of hopefully lots of driving and owning pleasure (and hopefully less of the pain).
Sleeping on it feels no better yet, I think my wife's parting words before bed last night were "I don't mind what you do, just don't buy one without seeing it first!" doesn't help!
Link to the advert is here, hope you can see it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322111850612?ul_noapp=tr...
There are a couple of things that worry me which I'll find out sooner than later around mechanical history, though the DVLA MOT history gives you quicte a good indication of what went on it the car's life. There a few things I can at least cosmetically sort out without too much trouble (centre caps, peeling lacquer, driving light).
Interestingly I noticed later after I had the offer accepted, it looks like a later centre armrest with cupholders has been fitted, though appears to be the wrong colour.
We shall soon see, so I'll let you all know how I get on.
Sleeping on it feels no better yet, I think my wife's parting words before bed last night were "I don't mind what you do, just don't buy one without seeing it first!" doesn't help!
Link to the advert is here, hope you can see it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322111850612?ul_noapp=tr...
There are a couple of things that worry me which I'll find out sooner than later around mechanical history, though the DVLA MOT history gives you quicte a good indication of what went on it the car's life. There a few things I can at least cosmetically sort out without too much trouble (centre caps, peeling lacquer, driving light).
Interestingly I noticed later after I had the offer accepted, it looks like a later centre armrest with cupholders has been fitted, though appears to be the wrong colour.
We shall soon see, so I'll let you all know how I get on.
As long as any rot isn't terminal and with a recent gearbox it looks like you have yourself the makings of a good un. Lovely colour and as you say, only time will tell. The interior looks like cashmere (sdz) and furniture clinic will have the correct dye to sort that armrest. Eurojag or North East Jag spares will be able to supply the lamp (or eBay, but you might now be banned from there!!)
If you are in the JEC or intend to join, then an article on your hopefully unusual story will bring you £50 for your effort.
Looking forward to further instalments
Ian
If you are in the JEC or intend to join, then an article on your hopefully unusual story will bring you £50 for your effort.
Looking forward to further instalments
Ian
Just spoke to owner, due to pick up tomorrow evening. Will have a nice 100 miles drive including half the M25 to get back home which should let me know how the thing goes. At very least, if we hit traffic I'll be able to see how the new thermostat and water pump behaves!
Mrs P has been informed. "We" are not amused.
Mrs P has been informed. "We" are not amused.
Jaguar steve said:
Oh well, if the worst comes to the worst and you don't even make it out of the Essex Badlands tomorrow just let me know which layby you're in and I'll drive over and buy the chrome grille and sovereign rear lights off you...
Ooh, that hurts! I could do with the over mats for when it rains, so I can keep mine pristine 🙈
Ian
Ok as promised, quick update on the new purchase:
The car and I made it home on a lovely sunny evening in one piece, had a great time driving it home. Very chuffed to be the proud owner of a good looking Jag at last. There's no getting away from a pretty boaty ride, and perhaps not as quiet and smooth as expected, compared to my Audi A6.
Engine-wise all quiet on startup, temp stayed cool to warm and the fan came on as expected. At first I was wondering about a bit of lack of performance until I switched on Sport mode and put the pedal all the way to the floor. Oh yes, there you are! Takes a bit to get going from a standing start, but amazing engine note on kickdown and all of a sudden you have hit 6000 revs with cars receding rapidly behind. Need a firm foot to stop 2 tonnes, but brakes worked without shuddering.
Lots of very good things about the car, lots of electrical things like seat adjustment work which surprised me. Aircon was icy cold which I wasn't expecting. Auto headlights too. Bodywork I'd say, peeling lacquer at the rear aside, is very tidy, shiny and straight for year, and leather seats are in very good nick. Front seats are very comfy and LWB space in rear is cavernous!
Man who sold it to me seemed decent though got a bit of amnesia when asked about the the work he has had done. He tells me has had a lot of work recently,recon gearbox, thermostat and pump, new front brakes fitted, and a service in 2015, just not all in mechanics receipts. The book has 11 dealer stamps then a 4 year gap to up to 2014 when an indie serviced it for a previous owner. Wonder if you can get a printout of work from a dealer? Mot history on the dvla site is helpful identifying what has been fixed after failures over the last 10 years.
a hint of some rust right at the bottom of front arches so who knows what lies beneath.
Tyres are old P6000s that are cracked and on the markers at the rear so new ones will be due soon. Spare tyre is some random chrome alloy with a new tyre, 16 inch wheel at least.
There's a wobble annoyingly for the motorway at about 75-85mph which i hope can be sorted with new tyres and a bit of wheel balancing/realighnment.
Some electrical things:
Side mirrors not working
Radio needs a code (now found!)
Centre brake light not working
Trip computer a bit random
Steering wheel adjuster not behaving
Nothing that is a showstopper though, most of which are fuse related or I should be able to fix
Other stuff:
Non matching centre armrest
Special auto dipping mirror looks a bit weird/rippled
Inexplicably broken glove box mounts, just need a fit of glue/ washers, but is there anything behind there you need to get to in a hurry?
Two centre caps needed.
An oil fumes smell in cabin is not too nice though after a couple of hours, not sure if this is a common problem, or perhaps oil is burning off somewhere and working it's way in.
Mrs P is actually delighted and disappeared for 30 mins in it when I got home.
So all in all, very pleased, lack of history aside, seems solid. I'll get it checked out soon for anything lurking underneath, worried a bit about tensioners, is there an easy check if we have later metal ones I wonder?
Can't wait for the weekend now, have some nice jobs for the to do list.
Have some pics will resize them then load them up.
Over all, it's an astonishing amount of car for £1200, expectations are exceeded, and my parents will be delighted when I pick them up for their anniversary party. Will be hard keeping it under wraps till Aug though!
Hello A12, bye bye Essex!
Mrs P putting her foot down like a hooligan up our road. After initial fears snd annoyance she quite likes the car, well likes it a lot!
The car and I made it home on a lovely sunny evening in one piece, had a great time driving it home. Very chuffed to be the proud owner of a good looking Jag at last. There's no getting away from a pretty boaty ride, and perhaps not as quiet and smooth as expected, compared to my Audi A6.
Engine-wise all quiet on startup, temp stayed cool to warm and the fan came on as expected. At first I was wondering about a bit of lack of performance until I switched on Sport mode and put the pedal all the way to the floor. Oh yes, there you are! Takes a bit to get going from a standing start, but amazing engine note on kickdown and all of a sudden you have hit 6000 revs with cars receding rapidly behind. Need a firm foot to stop 2 tonnes, but brakes worked without shuddering.
Lots of very good things about the car, lots of electrical things like seat adjustment work which surprised me. Aircon was icy cold which I wasn't expecting. Auto headlights too. Bodywork I'd say, peeling lacquer at the rear aside, is very tidy, shiny and straight for year, and leather seats are in very good nick. Front seats are very comfy and LWB space in rear is cavernous!
Man who sold it to me seemed decent though got a bit of amnesia when asked about the the work he has had done. He tells me has had a lot of work recently,recon gearbox, thermostat and pump, new front brakes fitted, and a service in 2015, just not all in mechanics receipts. The book has 11 dealer stamps then a 4 year gap to up to 2014 when an indie serviced it for a previous owner. Wonder if you can get a printout of work from a dealer? Mot history on the dvla site is helpful identifying what has been fixed after failures over the last 10 years.
a hint of some rust right at the bottom of front arches so who knows what lies beneath.
Tyres are old P6000s that are cracked and on the markers at the rear so new ones will be due soon. Spare tyre is some random chrome alloy with a new tyre, 16 inch wheel at least.
There's a wobble annoyingly for the motorway at about 75-85mph which i hope can be sorted with new tyres and a bit of wheel balancing/realighnment.
Some electrical things:
Side mirrors not working
Radio needs a code (now found!)
Centre brake light not working
Trip computer a bit random
Steering wheel adjuster not behaving
Nothing that is a showstopper though, most of which are fuse related or I should be able to fix
Other stuff:
Non matching centre armrest
Special auto dipping mirror looks a bit weird/rippled
Inexplicably broken glove box mounts, just need a fit of glue/ washers, but is there anything behind there you need to get to in a hurry?
Two centre caps needed.
An oil fumes smell in cabin is not too nice though after a couple of hours, not sure if this is a common problem, or perhaps oil is burning off somewhere and working it's way in.
Mrs P is actually delighted and disappeared for 30 mins in it when I got home.
So all in all, very pleased, lack of history aside, seems solid. I'll get it checked out soon for anything lurking underneath, worried a bit about tensioners, is there an easy check if we have later metal ones I wonder?
Can't wait for the weekend now, have some nice jobs for the to do list.
Have some pics will resize them then load them up.
Over all, it's an astonishing amount of car for £1200, expectations are exceeded, and my parents will be delighted when I pick them up for their anniversary party. Will be hard keeping it under wraps till Aug though!
Hello A12, bye bye Essex!
Mrs P putting her foot down like a hooligan up our road. After initial fears snd annoyance she quite likes the car, well likes it a lot!
Edited by prand on Wednesday 25th May 00:06
Looks like it has the makings of a great car and as you say, for not much money.
Front arch rust often caused by the arch liner trapping stuff behind.
Oil smell usually leaky cam cover seals at rear end, allowing oil to get on the manifold and heat shield. Will give you a chance to check for latest tensioners - I did mine the very easy way by lifting exhaust cams - ask!
Not sure about glove box
Mirrors - do they move at all from the rocker pad? Selector rocker not in centre to adjust.
Sorry about brief reply but have to go out. Keep asking, someone might know!
Ian
Front arch rust often caused by the arch liner trapping stuff behind.
Oil smell usually leaky cam cover seals at rear end, allowing oil to get on the manifold and heat shield. Will give you a chance to check for latest tensioners - I did mine the very easy way by lifting exhaust cams - ask!
Not sure about glove box
Mirrors - do they move at all from the rocker pad? Selector rocker not in centre to adjust.
Sorry about brief reply but have to go out. Keep asking, someone might know!
Ian
Orcadian said:
Looks like it has the makings of a great car and as you say, for not much money.
Front arch rust often caused by the arch liner trapping stuff behind.
Oil smell usually leaky cam cover seals at rear end, allowing oil to get on the manifold and heat shield. Will give you a chance to check for latest tensioners - I did mine the very easy way by lifting exhaust cams - ask!
Not sure about glove box
Mirrors - do they move at all from the rocker pad? Selector rocker not in centre to adjust.
Sorry about brief reply but have to go out. Keep asking, someone might know!
Ian
Thanks Ian, I appreciate any advice, however brief. Front arch rust often caused by the arch liner trapping stuff behind.
Oil smell usually leaky cam cover seals at rear end, allowing oil to get on the manifold and heat shield. Will give you a chance to check for latest tensioners - I did mine the very easy way by lifting exhaust cams - ask!
Not sure about glove box
Mirrors - do they move at all from the rocker pad? Selector rocker not in centre to adjust.
Sorry about brief reply but have to go out. Keep asking, someone might know!
Ian
The side mirrors don't work which ever way the rocker switch is set, so will try and trace the fault. Fortunately it's not a big deal as I can manually push them into position. Will check to see if the heating element works too, though won't be needing much use for that at the moment either!
The oil smell in the cabin seems to be a common problem, now I have searched online for it. Hopefully as you say it can be cured by correctly sealing and torqueing the cam cover (just 10NM!). And yes, is a great time to inspect tensioners, so will put that at top of the list. Though it's not a job I think I could manage to replace them.
The glove box is an odd one, It seems like someone has forced the box open or off. The plastic screwholes that hold it in place are broken, leaving it drooping by a cm or so on one side and rattling. Perhaps someone tried to break into the box, or had to get behind it in a hurry. Shouldn't be too much to sort out, but I'll try and fix it in a way I can get behind there in future.
One thing that impressed me on this car is how much the electrics still work. I guess this was one of the relative benefits of moving under Ford ownership from the old Jaguar Lucas wiring and parts (funny to note some of the switches and keys are the same as my old Mk4 escort!).
There are more electrical faults with my wife's 4 yr old mini cooper that with this old thing. I would have expected a fair amount of items to be non functioning, such as electric aerial, rear parkign sensors, cigar lighters, alarm/locking and seat motors are all working fine (beyond the lumbar adjustment which makes a buzzing/whirring sound - the noise makes me think it's at least saveable!).
Anyone know why the rear passenger seat can be controlled from behind? My kids are going to love playing with this!
Sounds like you are getting to grips with it already!
If you are capable of removing the cam covers you are definitely capable of replacing the top tensioners - I can guide you with that, but there is an excellent USA post on doing it the way I did. The only pita is on the left cover, forward where the dipstick tube is anchored - I have a way of sorting that too!
The lumbar support is an airbag inflated by a pump unit, so it does whirr away for while before you feel the back stiffening.
The pass seat is adjustable from the back seat on some models (perhaps all LWB?) my Super V8 included, so that your Mum can move the seat away from her feet and have a stretch without distracting your driving.
I invested in a scanner in case any messages came up, as in Orkney Jag main agents number less than one!
Ian
If you are capable of removing the cam covers you are definitely capable of replacing the top tensioners - I can guide you with that, but there is an excellent USA post on doing it the way I did. The only pita is on the left cover, forward where the dipstick tube is anchored - I have a way of sorting that too!
The lumbar support is an airbag inflated by a pump unit, so it does whirr away for while before you feel the back stiffening.
The pass seat is adjustable from the back seat on some models (perhaps all LWB?) my Super V8 included, so that your Mum can move the seat away from her feet and have a stretch without distracting your driving.
I invested in a scanner in case any messages came up, as in Orkney Jag main agents number less than one!
Ian
Orcadian said:
Sounds like you are getting to grips with it already!
If you are capable of removing the cam covers you are definitely capable of replacing the top tensioners - I can guide you with that, but there is an excellent USA post on doing it the way I did. The only pita is on the left cover, forward where the dipstick tube is anchored - I have a way of sorting that too!
The lumbar support is an airbag inflated by a pump unit, so it does whirr away for while before you feel the back stiffening.
The pass seat is adjustable from the back seat on some models (perhaps all LWB?) my Super V8 included, so that your Mum can move the seat away from her feet and have a stretch without distracting your driving.
I invested in a scanner in case any messages came up, as in Orkney Jag main agents number less than one!
Ian
Ha, my mum is just over 5 feet tall, she will be ballroom dancing in all the space in the back!If you are capable of removing the cam covers you are definitely capable of replacing the top tensioners - I can guide you with that, but there is an excellent USA post on doing it the way I did. The only pita is on the left cover, forward where the dipstick tube is anchored - I have a way of sorting that too!
The lumbar support is an airbag inflated by a pump unit, so it does whirr away for while before you feel the back stiffening.
The pass seat is adjustable from the back seat on some models (perhaps all LWB?) my Super V8 included, so that your Mum can move the seat away from her feet and have a stretch without distracting your driving.
I invested in a scanner in case any messages came up, as in Orkney Jag main agents number less than one!
Ian
Going to have a look under the cam covers first and reseal them to see if that sorts the oil issue, then depending on what I find, hopefully not, but likely to be the dreaded red or white plastic, I may take you up on the offer of a talk through replacing them.
I just get petrified with fiddling with this part of a car, the results of carelessness or heavy handedness are fairly terminal! However if it's just a matter of cover removal, then zip tie the pulleys in position then and wiggle the bits out and back into place, then possibly I might give it a go. I'd have to get someone else to start the car again for me though!
Before you have a go at the covers, spray some WD or whatever you prefer for penetrating fluid around the two cover bolts at the front on each side a while before you try loosening them, they go right through the front engine cover and so the ends of the threads are exposed to rusting. Go easy when removing any of the bolts, they are only just man enough for the job, hence the low torque value you mentioned. Some people use the seals again, it's your call but you may have to go in again. Perhaps you could get the two top tensioners on sale or return to save you having to do the job twice. You should be able to see where any leaks are from, they always seem to be towards the rear along the bottom seam and leave a burnt black deposit on the heat shields and manifolds.
PM me for more details if you need any.
Ian
PM me for more details if you need any.
Ian
Easy job IMO.
You may well get a slack chain and rattle on first start up as chances are the ex cam won't go back in precisely the timing position it came off in allowing slack in the chain even after the lock pin in the new tensioner is pulled. You could turn the engine over by hand to take up the slack if you're of a particularly nervous disposition though...
I'd shop around for tensioners too. Last time I looked they were listed by Jaguar Spares Northeast at £150 a pair rather than the £75 I paid last year from the same supplier.
You may well get a slack chain and rattle on first start up as chances are the ex cam won't go back in precisely the timing position it came off in allowing slack in the chain even after the lock pin in the new tensioner is pulled. You could turn the engine over by hand to take up the slack if you're of a particularly nervous disposition though...
I'd shop around for tensioners too. Last time I looked they were listed by Jaguar Spares Northeast at £150 a pair rather than the £75 I paid last year from the same supplier.
prand said:
Ok thanks, reconnaissance will be required at the weekend. Though I'm off away for a week for half term, so unlikely we'll get anything serious done for a bit.
All this focus on top tensioners, is there not similar going on at the other end?
Yes. All the original V8 tensioner bodies are made of plastic. The crucial difference is the primary chains are tensioned via slippers and because of this the primary tensioners are not subjected to the same shear forces and are insulated better from the shock loading the secondary ones suffer from so even if the primary body is compromised by cracks or has gone brittle there is much less chance of catastrophic failure. All this focus on top tensioners, is there not similar going on at the other end?
There are two modes of secondary tensioner failure, especially on the mk1 versions. Either the body will crack allowing the piston to extend and twist far enough to cause the chain to pick up on the end of the contact plate or the contact plate comes off altogether. Any crack in the lower half of the body will also allow engine oil under pressure that tensions the mk 1 version to escape rather than maintain chain tension. Any of these scenarios can result in a slipped or broken chain which will really spoil your afternoon.
The key prevention to all of this is regular oil changes. Part of the lube oil additive package are substances called plasticlears which are engineered to preserve plastic, rubber and PTFE components in the relatively soft and flexible condition they were made in. Once these components have lost their ability to flex or become brittle - this is often why neglected engines develop oil leaks, seals become brittle so they can't flex anymore and just wear out instead allowing oil to piss out everywhere and that's usually happens because the additives are exhausted or overwhelmed by contaminants resulting from fuel combustion and are no longer able protect the components they are designed to preserve.
At least check and change the tensioners if you've any doubts and regularly change the oil. Only way to peace of mind IMO.
So back from being away for half term on Sunday, some bits and bobs from online purchases for cosmetic things I can do myself are on the front porch (new front fog, some rear middle brake light wedge bulbs, a couple of center caps and a leather scrubbing brush for some serious seat cleaning). My plans are to put the car in the garage at the end of the week to investigate tensioners and get a quote for a resprayed/re lacquered boot lid and wing mirrors. Plus also to replace the tyres which are worryingly old and knackered looking.
I thought I'd start the old girl up, so I hop in, turn ignition on, and CLICK. Nothing. Pants. Dead Battery? Starter solenoid? Something else?
I put my foot on the brake, waggle the gear selector and somehow get it to move into neutral, drive and back into Park. That's a bit of a worry too - thought it would be locked out under normal circumstances. (unsuprisingly, "Gearbox Fault" appears on dash at one point during this fiddling).
Car then suddenly starts after a few wiggles of various things, removing ignition key, turning steering wheel, locking and opening car, the engine fires with no apparent effort.
So I went for a drive, car is behaving perfectly, and I revel again in how much car I have for the money. Stop car. Start car. All good. Park up at local beauty spot, have a poke around the exterior (and how fine does it look with a full set of centre caps - Mrs P loves the fact they're called growlers!). Get back in, turn ignition - CLICK (sound comes somewhere from behind the glove box). Wiggle everything again, pray to god of breakdowns and she starts again after about 5 mins and I drive home.
So I sit on the drive looking this fault up on my phone and it seems like it could come from many places, old battery, poor earthing points, dodgy starter motor or connections, immobiliser, and no end of other sensors, such as gear selector. The gear thing worries me a bit as the previous owner had the gearbox replaced with a reconditioned one fitted without much detail by a mate by the look of the receipt, so maybe it didn't get put back right (the selector lights and P to D to R selector does not seem as crisp and accurate as perhaps they should, or perhaps an original issue was not resolved. The gear selector surround came off quite easily so somebody's definitely been poking around with it.
Sitting on the drive, I managed to simulate the fault a couple more times, getting to start eventually, then the last time after waiting 20 minutes, the car started first time.
I've just popped out now, a couple of hours later and car starts fine on first turn. Will see how it does again in the morning. All going well I might take it for a run to my doctor's appointment in the morning.
It may just be the battery so I'm happy to start the ball rolling by checking the existing one and possibly getting a new one (I think I saw a telltale Traction Control fault pop up at one point). But where to go from there if this still happens?
I'm happy enough at the moment that the car will eventually start, after 5 minutes of hopeful (probably pointless) waggling but my concern will be if it gets worse and I end up getting stranded somewhere.
The car is due in to the garage soon, so hopefully it doesn't need to get towed there, but hopefully they can follow a logical troubleshooting procedure that doesn't end up costing silly money. Again, as before, we shall see, and the story continues...
I thought I'd start the old girl up, so I hop in, turn ignition on, and CLICK. Nothing. Pants. Dead Battery? Starter solenoid? Something else?
I put my foot on the brake, waggle the gear selector and somehow get it to move into neutral, drive and back into Park. That's a bit of a worry too - thought it would be locked out under normal circumstances. (unsuprisingly, "Gearbox Fault" appears on dash at one point during this fiddling).
Car then suddenly starts after a few wiggles of various things, removing ignition key, turning steering wheel, locking and opening car, the engine fires with no apparent effort.
So I went for a drive, car is behaving perfectly, and I revel again in how much car I have for the money. Stop car. Start car. All good. Park up at local beauty spot, have a poke around the exterior (and how fine does it look with a full set of centre caps - Mrs P loves the fact they're called growlers!). Get back in, turn ignition - CLICK (sound comes somewhere from behind the glove box). Wiggle everything again, pray to god of breakdowns and she starts again after about 5 mins and I drive home.
So I sit on the drive looking this fault up on my phone and it seems like it could come from many places, old battery, poor earthing points, dodgy starter motor or connections, immobiliser, and no end of other sensors, such as gear selector. The gear thing worries me a bit as the previous owner had the gearbox replaced with a reconditioned one fitted without much detail by a mate by the look of the receipt, so maybe it didn't get put back right (the selector lights and P to D to R selector does not seem as crisp and accurate as perhaps they should, or perhaps an original issue was not resolved. The gear selector surround came off quite easily so somebody's definitely been poking around with it.
Sitting on the drive, I managed to simulate the fault a couple more times, getting to start eventually, then the last time after waiting 20 minutes, the car started first time.
I've just popped out now, a couple of hours later and car starts fine on first turn. Will see how it does again in the morning. All going well I might take it for a run to my doctor's appointment in the morning.
It may just be the battery so I'm happy to start the ball rolling by checking the existing one and possibly getting a new one (I think I saw a telltale Traction Control fault pop up at one point). But where to go from there if this still happens?
I'm happy enough at the moment that the car will eventually start, after 5 minutes of hopeful (probably pointless) waggling but my concern will be if it gets worse and I end up getting stranded somewhere.
The car is due in to the garage soon, so hopefully it doesn't need to get towed there, but hopefully they can follow a logical troubleshooting procedure that doesn't end up costing silly money. Again, as before, we shall see, and the story continues...
Although batteries do give rise to numerous and often erroneous fault messages, I wouldn't think this was the case here, especially when it starts fine after a bit of fiddling. As you say, there are many sensors involved, most, if not all give error messages but some give rise to restricted performance, which yours did not. I would be looking at gear selector microswitches ( known trouble area) and perhaps the 2 switches on the brake pedal, one of which should cause that click behind the glove box before a gear can be selected.
Yes, earthing points can also cause problems, but how do they miraculously cure themselves 5 minutes later?
In my 'war chest' fund for my Daimler I budgeted for an icarsoft code reader and it has already paid for itself on the one occasion it went on to 7 cylinders - the reader identified exactly which coil was at fault. The dealer would have charged far more than my reader plus a pair ( one spare) of coils from eBay.
If you are able to fit those parts you have ordered yourself, then I'm sure you can find your way around a scanner menu and although you may not be able to cure a fault, you should be pretty confident in knowing where it lies.
Ian
Yes, earthing points can also cause problems, but how do they miraculously cure themselves 5 minutes later?
In my 'war chest' fund for my Daimler I budgeted for an icarsoft code reader and it has already paid for itself on the one occasion it went on to 7 cylinders - the reader identified exactly which coil was at fault. The dealer would have charged far more than my reader plus a pair ( one spare) of coils from eBay.
If you are able to fit those parts you have ordered yourself, then I'm sure you can find your way around a scanner menu and although you may not be able to cure a fault, you should be pretty confident in knowing where it lies.
Ian
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