How to Replace a Fuel Pump in a 1988 Jaguar XJ6

The 1988 Jaguar XJ6 is a solidly-engineered vehicle; however, this particular model has an annoying fault. The engine tends to stall on a hot day while driving in stop-and-go traffic because fuel vaporizing at the fuel pump inlet causes the pump to chatter excessively without delivering liquid fuel. Although the engine will restart after a cool-down period, you can solve the problem by having a back-up fuel pump installed by a qualified Jaguar technician. On the other hand, if your car is not prone to this fault but your fuel pump fails altogether, you can save money by replacing the pump yourself.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on a firm level spot. Turn the engine off and apply the parking brake.

2

Position yourself under the vehicle behind the left rear wheel. Have a helper turn the ignition switch to the On position without starting the engine. Listen carefully for a whirring sound that lasts a couple of seconds. If you hear nothing, carry out the following two steps.

3

Locate the relay panel under the glove compartment. Remove the cover and find the fuel pump relay, located on the far right side of the panel. Place the butt of a long thin screwdriver against your ear and press the tip of the screwdriver against the relay. Turn the ignition switch to the On position and listen for a clicking sound. If the relay remains silent, check the wiring for damage and/or replace the relay. Re-install the cover, if the relay clicks.

4

Remove the left kick panel on the center console glove compartment and locate the bulky collision impact inertia switch. Set a multimeter to the ohms resistance setting and place a probe on each of the switch terminals. If the readout jumps to Infinity, the inertia switch is sound. If both the pump relay and the inertia switch check out, the fuel pump is faulty.

5

Remove the fuel filler cap to relieve any pressure in the fuel tank.

6

Unplug the fuel pump relay, start the engine and wait for it to stall to clear the fuel lines of gasoline.

7

Disconnect the negative battery terminal.

8

Position a hydraulic bottle jack with a capacity of at least 5 tons directly below the mid-point of the forward cross member under the vehicle. Unscrew the adjustable acme threads on the jack extension and clamp a wooden block between the jack head and the cross member. Jack the vehicle up to the required height.

9

Locate the forward jacking points on each side of the vehicle and slide axle stands under each point. Carefully lower the front of the vehicle onto the axle stands and remove the jack.

10

Repeat by sliding the jack under the mid-point of the rear cross member. Jack the vehicle up to the required height and place axle stands under the rear jacking points. Carefully lower the back of the vehicle onto the stands and remove the jack.

11

Locate the fuel pump bolted to the chassis on the left of the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel lines from the pump with an open-end wrench.

12

Remove the rubber boot from the fuel pump terminals. Undo the terminal nuts with an open-end wrench and disconnect the fuel pump.

13

Undo the fuel pump bracket retaining nuts and carefully slide the pump out of the rubber casing inside the fuel pump bracket.

14

Maneuver the fuel pump out by angling it over the rear suspension beside the left wheel.

15

Install a replacement pump into the fuel pump bracket. Connect the fuel pump terminals and tighten the terminal nuts. Connect the fuel lines to the fuel pump and tighten the line nuts.

16

Replace the fuel pump relay, reconnect the battery and start the engine to ensure that the fuel pump is working properly.

17

Lower the vehicle back onto the ground.