Expert: Mike Evans - 4/2/2010

Question
i went to work no problem  tried to start the car after work would not start.  called for a ride the car started drove about 5 miles and shut off. went the next am the car started drove about 5 mile and again it shut off.  had it towed home the neighbor checked the coil and no spark.  replaced the coil  still no spark  I am not a rich person so if you could suggest something i would appreciate it very much

Answer
    Coils almost never go bad.  I don't know if this is a 6 or a 12, but it sounds like no spark at all.  This is probably due to a failure of either the ignitor box or the pickup in the distributor.  Jaguar ignition systems are not easily diagnosed, and having the right diagnostic tools is a big help.  I tune up my own Mercedes, but I take the Jag to the guy down the street (and he's a Mercedes specialist).  I know this is not much help, but you could throw money at that thing all day and never figure it out.  Let a pro do it.