I found and bought my wifes dream car in July- a black 86 XJ6 w/79k miles.IT is in very nice shape-the headliner is gone, a few bubbles in the paint on the hood and trunk - excuse me bonnet/boot. WE got a very good deal on this car, partly because there were some wiring problems. The turn signals didn't work, there was a major power drain, electric mirrors don't work, and so on. I bought it anyhow, My (WONDERFUL(GM )) mechanic said it was in great shape and a good buy (said he'd buy it if we didn't).
I got a Jaynes repair manual w/ the car: I also got the shop manual on CD and printed him the electrical section.Bless his heart, he fixed most the things wrong for a very low price.Turns out the prior owner had replaced the hazard switch and shorted out some others doing it, The only thing still not working is the mirrors .(I ran out of $ ! ).
Q1 - does anybody make a better electrical diagram than the one in Jaynes and the shop manuals? Mechanic was rather unimpressed- says newer ones are much easier to read (plain english what switches are instead of symbols..)
Q2- any common problem to look for for mirrors being out ?
Q3- Prior owner said car took regular gas . This forum leads me to think otherwise. Does 86 xj6 take regular or premium ? (we didn't get owners manual....)
Sorry so long. Thanks for your help. Frank

Submitted by tarheellefty@h… on Fri, 09/03/2004 - 22:43

Thanks for the reply. I haven't done anything re: the mirrors yet. I just know that nothing happens when I move the knobs. I thought the mechanic would get them fixed; I will poke around a little myself (check fuses,for loose wires, etc. ) A man needs to know his limitations, I bet I could mess up things here way faster than the prior owner. Like a doctors oath..."do no harm" . as I said the mirrors are decent position rt now; I may get the wiring book you recomended 1st. Thanks again ....Frank

86 XJ6 (It's my wifes car, I just pay, maintain and fix it !)

Submitted by dougdwyer@eart… on Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:13

1) Wiring diagrams: Call Jag Services 800 842 0912 and order the "S57" wiring guide. Trust me, you'll be glad you did :-)

2) Mirrors: Both mirrors are inop? You've replaced the fuse, I presume? Are you getting voltage to the switches? To the mirrors?

3) If everything is up tp snuff, 87 octane should be fine.

Doug Dwyer
JDRC/NWA
1987 XJ6 III
1988 XJS V12 Coupe