Jaguar Repair: Daimler Double Six XJ40 engine, ballast resistor, crankshaft sensor

Question
QUESTION: I had a problem starting and changed the crankshaft sensor. It went Ok all that day but the next day it would not start. I tried cold start but still no joy. There is power on both ignition amplifiers and coil leads but nothing on the spark plug lead.  The VCM does not show a fault and all fuses are OK. Thankyou

ANSWER: It sounds like you may have a bad ignition coil. Also check the distributor cap and rotor and the ballast resistor if it has one. Go to( http://www.welshent.com/parts_catalogs.php ) and down load a catalog and it will show you most parts and there location. I hope that this helps.
Sam















---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks! I don't have a round coil as illustrated , I have 2 ignition amplifiers one on either side of the distributor. There is power to both of them but nothing at plug leads?  This car was made 1/1994 VIN number 693663 which I believe is the XJ40 engine. I guess the fault must lie in the distributor? What sort of fault might I be looking for - worn rotor arm, shorting in the cap? Thanks again.

Answer
Please check to see if the cap or rotor is broken or crack or corroded. It is a good ideal to replace them after 50K Miles or so. That way you would eliminate them as a cause of your problem.
Also check to see that you are getting fuel to the rails. Also recheck your sensors and wiring to them. You could have bad wiring. Sam