URGENT! XJ-8 3.2 V8, 2001 won't start! leaving tomorrow

[Filos Hippos]

Hi guys,

I have a big problem and can't get it sorted.

The problem is that my car is supposed to take me on ski-holiday tomorrownight. . .


WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE:

yesterday I touched a kerbstone while parking (at only 2mph)with the inner side of the righthand side backwheel.
The car would not start afterwards and gave the error code:PECUS T and also indicated a problem with tractioncontrol etc.

I tried disconnecting the battery to get rid of the errorcode but nothing helped. Got the car on a truck to my home. . .

This morning I disconnected the battery again for about 20 minutes and the car started without problem. I made a short trip and then tried to start her up again, with no succes!

The startermotor cranks but car doesn't start. What can I do, what could be the problem.

WHAT IT IS PROBABLY NOT:

- inertia switch seems ok
- I can move the gearlever from P to D and anything in between.
- back-up and stoplamps work correctly

What does this PECUS T error code mean?? I've read somewhere it has omething to do with the transmission;
-->Could it be the inhibitor-switch of the transmission? (although I can move the gearlever)
-->Or start relay?

All help greatly appreciated and I hope I can go skiing tomorrownight. . .


Best wishes!


Car has 125000 km.

[Filos Hippos]

ETA:

It was cold at the moment I started the car from cold and I turned off the engine when I touched the kerbstone to see what it was I touched/hit. . .

So on the first attempt the car started fine yesterday.

It was on the second (coldstart) attempt that the problmes began. . .

(and this on newyears eve at 4.OO in the morning.

Bugger!!!!

Thanks for ANY advise. . .
PS going to les menuires, france.

[GreenV8S]

Seems unlikely that a gentle nudge at walking speed would damage anything so perhaps that's only a coincidence. I know it's not what you want to hear, but if that was me I wouldn't consider taking a car with an unknown serious fault on a long journey through bad conditions. You have to suppose it could break down and leave you stranded at any point.

[drummerboyXJR]

How short was the 'short trip' that you did? Wonder if you have the flooding on 2 cold starts issue?

[jkennyd]

drummerboyXJR said:

How short was the 'short trip' that you did? Wonder if you have the flooding on 2 cold starts issue?

Makes a good point.

The pecus if I remember from a jag forum had something to do with the Cm (control module)and Jaguar are the only guys that can reset it. I know a guy who changed his wheel bearing then pecus alerts came on.... Can it be a coincidence....maybe.

I would phone Jag dealership but I know they will say bring it in for diagnostic testing.

[drummerboyXJR]

Just reread your original post. So you started from cold, hit the kerb shortly after, stopped the engine to have a look, then it wouldnt start?
If thats the case, then sounds more and more like the double cold start flooding issue.
Suggest you read Adams thread and all the advice that we gave for that one.
HTH

[Filos Hippos]

Ok guys,

I will try that "flood" procedure first thing in the morning.

Could a flooded engine give these error codes? (tractioncontrol issues etc....)

Is tractioncontrol regulated through ignition-cuts or fuelpump-cuts?


The "short" trip I did was indeed very short.( +/- 2KM)

I was afraid breaking down so headed home after everything seemde fine. . .


I had never heard of the flood-issue. Will surely keep that in mind. The car has been faultless so far. (+45OOOkm)

Also thanks for the kind replies, really appreciate that!

[silverback mike]

Mine did exactly that after a very short trip. once I drove it from the garage to the road and switched it off. Flooded like buggery so I did the technique as described, eventually she started and fine after that.

They just don't like small journeys, weird....

Also, you may not want to take my advice (disclaimer ) but I disconnected the battery for about 10 mins, which cleared random fault code never to return, it resets the ecu.

Edited by silverback mike on Tuesday 6th January 10:08