XJR-S Zytek Ignition

GWATT · Postby **GWATT** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:33 pm

Can anyone Help, I have a 1992 XJR-S with TWR installed Zytek Ignition System. Can anyone point me in the right direction to get information/data on what exactly TWR did and how can you spares or the system diagnosed.

Cheers Graham

SimonR · Postby **SimonR** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:52 pm

I'm afraid I don't have the answers to the questions above but one of my friends did have a similar car and diagnosed inermittant cutting out to be a fault in the Zytek loom.

If you're suffering from that problem then I'll forwad you his contact info!

Cheers,

SR.

GWATT · Postby **GWATT** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:17 pm

Hi Simon,

Many Thanks for your reply, and apologies for my late response, been trying since Monday morning but following an hr long conversation with Peter Ford (JEC IT Expert) we eventually discovered what my finger problem was. However back to the question in hand I would love to have a chat with your friend trying to discover anything about Zytek Ignition is harder than finding a chocolat fireguard.

Cheers Graham

poprivet · Postby **poprivet** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:48 pm

There is some brief background information in Kirby's book http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/Jaguar.html and I believe Zytek are still in business although whether they support the xjs or not I don't know.

Detailed information is sparse and parts even more so. Bits and pieces appear on Ebay occasionally although they command a premium such as this ECU

e-bay link

If you discover the information you need I'm sure others here would be interested if you would share it.

GWATT · Postby **GWATT** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:22 am

Many Thanks Pop Rivet, I'll certainly have a look and will share info when I discover what the problem is. Zytek certainly are still in business and have offered to check out the ECU but they can only check inputs and outputs they cant do anything about the mapping. I think because no one has the capability to do it or at least havnt found anyone.
Cheers Graham

GlennH · Postby **GlennH** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:07 am

Hi Graham,

SimonR mentioned to me that you were looking for information on the Zytek EMS. I have a 1989 XJR-S and, as Simon mentioned, when I first bought it, it had an intermittent cutout which turned out to be a dry joint in the loom from the Zytek. There is not very much information around for the Zytek units any more. Jaguarsport did supply selected Jaguar dealerships with limited diagnostic information and a plug in unit that could be used to test the unit. I don't think that any of the dealers will still have any of this.
On the positive side, I have never found anyone yet that has had the Zytek unit actually fail, it has always so far turned out to be another problem. After all, it was built as a racing EMS and is pretty strong even after all these years. It is also a relatively simple unit, from memory, it has six sensor inputs (two from the distributor, one water temp sensor, two air temp sensors, plus the throttle pot), plus a vacuum tube from the inlet manifold for engine load information. The map is a 24 x 16 lookup matrix, (24 speed, by 16 load). Unless you have made any engine mods, it is unlikely you'll need to adjust the map. On the pre-facelift cars, there is one adjustment pot on the Zytek unit itself which allows you to adjust the overall mixture. I think this is not present on the 92 model year cars though, I have a note somewhere that those were done by laptop.

If you are experiencing any specific issues, please post on the forum and I'll help if I can.

Regards,
Glenn.

GWATT · Postby **GWATT** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:23 am

Hi Glen thanks for your response, still havn't got to the bottom of the problem. I removed the ECU and sent it back to Zytek this Monday as they said they could check the inputs and outputs but could do nothing about the mapping. The end result of this is that I got an email from them yesterday afternoon informing me that it's not one of there ECU's and couldn't do anything with it, I find this strange as the distributor is definately a Zytek/TWR adaptedv Lucas one with the 12 element trigger. There is a Jaguar part number on the ECU (10056) but SNG Barratt cant trace this number. In the CD rom I got from Jag Heretage it shows an ECU with 60 ports on it, mine only has 35 but does say that 3 different variants werer used. I suppose it depended on what was available at the time. I'm getting more and more confused/frustrated because as you say there is virtually no info around to help. I have checked all the easily attainable contacts and must say that the wireing is in remarkably good condition nothing loose and no corrosion but havn't as yet removed the harness. When the ECU gets returned I'll get the car going again and take it to a LaserLine dealer distributor in Gloucester and get them to check over the alarm as I think there may be a possibility that the immobiliser could be a problem preventing the car from starting. but then again if its a memory fault I have no idea how to clear it and doubt that anyone has the kit to do it either. Again thanks to you and Simon for your assistance. If/When I get to the bottom of it I'll post a report but am getting quite worried about the future it may end up having to be converted to a more conventional system, hate the thought of that but if you cant get parts or diagnostics what else can you do.

Best Regards,
Graham

Brakebuster · Postby **Brakebuster** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:00 am

how close are you to Gloucester, as its where i also live

BB

Brakebuster · Postby **Brakebuster** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:14 am

just found this brand new Zytec loom on ebay,

ebay link

might be of some use ?

BB

GWATT · Postby **GWATT** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:19 pm

Hi BB I live in Ross I'll certainly have at look at the EBAY link but am concerned about the fact that Zytek say the ECU isn't one of there's

Brakebuster · Postby **Brakebuster** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:15 pm

ah, i was in Ross on Monday, we then went up to the Yat......

who says your car is Zytec ?

i take it the car is a 6ltr V12 ?

The 1993 XJR-S is a very special Jaguar, built by Jaguar Sport working with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). The XJR-S was sold in Europe from 1989 to 1992 but not in North America. In 1993, a special run of 100 North American spec cars were built and were sold only in North America. Jaguar built 50 XJR-S coupes and 50 XJR-S convertibles with 25 of each type in red and black. There is a commemorrative silver plate on the console, made by Asprey, which provides evidence of the build number. This car is a true masterpiece and extremely rare.

Jaguar sent a basic XJS to Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) for custom upgrades. This car’s documentation includes the unique TWR engine number and serial number indicative of a true TWR XJR-S. The engine is 6.0L V12 instead of 5.3L, and the driveline, suspension, and brakes were engineered, built and installed by TWR, a major contributor to the Jaguar Racing development group. The Zytec ECU (ignition system) is also unique to this car and provides for stellar performance. Rounding out the XJR-S package, these cars also have a rear spoiler, under tray, lower side sills, a custom front end treatment, a special charcoal Autolux leather interior, and larger alloy wheels/tires, all unique to this incredible XJR-S.

The 6.0 Litre - V12 Engine engine was hand built by Tom Walkinshaw's Jaguar Sport team and included several performance modifications pushing the horse power to 338. The car will go 0-60 in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 157 MPH. The car also has suspension modification and special body cladding and retailed for a whopping $129,000.00 back in 1993.
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd11 ... TWR055.jpg

BB

Brakebuster · Postby **Brakebuster** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:33 pm

and here is a brand new Zytec ECU

ebay link

bit of a steep price though

but saying that, Jag just wanted £2k for a new ECU for my XJ8

BB

GWATT · Postby **GWATT** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:28 pm

HI

Well dont know what to say except that it doesn't look anything like the one I have and I have no idea if it's component compatable or loom compatable but I should get hold of the seller and try and find out more about it. Have to add this is the first time I've hads any ECU related problems with any vehicle so am on a steep learning curve.
Cheers Graham

poprivet · Postby **poprivet** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:03 pm

Graham, what exactly are the problems you are experiencing? You say you have a Lazerline immobiliser, that was a fairly cheap and nasty one which I wouldn't have expected to find on such an upmarket model. Mine used to have one many years ago, I'm sorry to say it was the cause of many problems until I had the thing damn ripped out and replaced with something much better.

Maybe a few photos when you get the ECU back will help someone here to identify what system you have.

Without wishing to appear rude, could the car be something more standard pretending to be a genuine TWR?

ptjs1 · Postby **ptjs1** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:33 pm

Graham,

I don't know if it helps but that ECU on sale on ebay is for a pre-facelift XJR-S. The facelift XJR-S has a different ECU part number which might explain why yours looks different to the one on ebay. I assume your car is a facelift model but I can't see it in the JEC XJS Register. Have you not registered it wit us yet? Notwithstanding that, it also doesn't explain why Zytek didn't recognise your ecu as one of theirs.

If it's of any help, I was contacted yesterday by a colleague in Australia who has just purchased a '92 facelift XJR-S in the UK and is coming over to get it next month. I am sure he would be happy to take any pics to compare against your setup. Altrenatively I could put you in contact with him and you could arrange to meet up and view his car.

Regards,

Paul Sinnott
XJS Registrar

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