Custody battle won

[Mandy]

Hello everyone,

 

I think I may be a little strange but I have just won custody of MY beautiful old XJS.  I say strange because I actually don't drive, but as soon as I saw this car I loved her and bought her as a birthday present many years ago for my ex husband.  He never liked her and used her as a weapon in  our separation - baa humbug.  However now the beautiful old girl is home, BUT, she does need a little TLC.  I given her upholstery a good feeding and her main problem is that her lights stay on, all the time.  The only way to get them off is to disconnect the battery.  I have a feeling that whilst she was stored someone may have tried to jump start her.  Now I don't know much but I understand this can cause problems.  Any and all advice is truly welcomed, but please remember folks, keep it simple, and I'm in France so before I go looking for a garage I need to suss out a good one plus, like everyone, money is tight so would like to avoid too many expensive bills, especially as I can't drive her   -   YET.

[Mr D]

Hi Mandy,

 

Welcome to the forum and custody of what sounds like a lovely Jag.  You'll need to take a couple of photos and post.  I agree with your post - "a little strange" - as you can't drive but own a XJS - could be an interesting car to learn to drive in ;).

 

I don't know much about the electrics, so unfortunately I can't help, maybe someone else on the forum can step up.

 

Good luck,

Dave

[Jaguar Owners Club]

Hi Mandy...welcome to the forum.

 

The fault with the lights may be something as simple as a sticking relay...especially if the car has laid idle for some length of time.

If the car is located in France then I would recommend that an auto electrician or Jaguar specialist look at the car rather than a general garage but there are now quite a few English run garages that should be familiar with the Jaguar brand.

 

Good luck

 

Regards,  Trevor

[Mandy]

Hi Trevor, thanks and yes you could very well be right.  I have discovered whilst playing that the headlights do go off if I switch them completely on and then completely off, but they don't stay off.  But - this is good news because I don't think it's anything too major.  She's had a lovely wash and waxing and now I'm starting to look into a good garage.

[Mandy]

Hi Dave, 

 

Yes I know it sounds strange to now have a car I can't drive, but I just couldn't see her rotting away, unappreciated anymore.  In the 14 years my ex owned her she had driven 2,500 miles total.  And that including getting to France and in and out of storage facilities.  Still even if I can't drive her YET, I can still sit in and pretend.  (I am actually in my 40's - sad but true)  I just can't help it, she's such a beauty and I could never understand why he didn't like her.  Still, it's his loss.  I'll get the pictures on