I have not bought a Jag yet. However, am looking at one that the seller has been told that the reason that the car will not start is that the crank shaft position sensor is bad.

Could that be the cause, and if so, is it something that the "shade tree" mechanic that I am can change?

The car is an 89 XJ6. The part is only about $76.00.

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Wed, 01/21/2004 - 10:31

Dennis,

Discretion is the better part of valor, as they say. Being sold by an organization that takes donated cars? I'd be very, very suspect of it. As I said, if it was only the sensor, a running car is worth significantly more than a dead one. Makes no sense that someone wouldn't have just done it and sold it as a running car.

This sounds like a good one to have passed up. Even if it turns out that it was only the sensor, personally I still think you're better off waiting and buying a car you can see, check out thoroughly and buy with confidence. In the long-run, you'll save money, time and agrievation. IMHO.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC

Submitted by reisdp@hotmail.com on Wed, 01/21/2004 - 10:08

As a BTW!!!

At the close of the auction the winning bid was $801.00.

Only time, and a crank sensor, will tell if this was a "pig" or a "poke".

I have e-mailed the winnig bidder, and I am hopeful that they will contact me regarding their progress.

Thanks

Dennis

Submitted by reisdp@hotmail.com on Wed, 01/21/2004 - 09:57

Steve;

You raise some very valid concerns. I have not gotten the time or the oportunity to visit this Jag.

The car is not being sold buy a person but rather an org. that receives donated cars to auction off to support their programs.

In many cases people will donate a car to be able to take the "Fair Market Value" off of their taxes rather than get the car repaired and go through the trouble of selling it themselves.

However, for many reasons, I did not bid on this particular Jag. The hunt continues!

Thanks

Dennis

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Tue, 01/20/2004 - 12:32

Have you PERSONALLY looked at the car? Not the pictures on Ebay (assume it's an Ebay car), not just what the seller has told you. But actually, physically looked at the car? Or have you had an experienced Jag mechanic look at the car for you?

If you haven't seen it in person or had it inspected by someone you trust, you're buying the proverbial "pig in a poke." Caveat emptor. If all it needed was a $76 crank sensor that was a piece of cake to change and get the car running, why didn't the seller do it? It doesn't make sense. As I understand it from what I've read in some of the British magazines, the crank sensor on these cars is very vulnerable to failure because of its exposed location in the front of the car. But what's to guarantee that this is all that's wrong. Are you willing to bet a bundle that the seller is right? I don't think the crank sensor is a major job, but that said, ask again, why didn't the seller do it?

Some people I know have gotten great deals at auctions and on Ebay. Others have ended up with the "pig." The ones I know who have been successful have either seen the car in person or had someone reputable look at the car for them.

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC