www.jec.org.uk

A few weeks ago the engine on my 2002 4.0 XKR stalled or (or cut-out ) whilst driving at about 40 mph all the warning lights came on limp-home mode etc. the engine would not restart for a few seconds then did. I set off again and the same thing happened again. got the car restarted and the AA followed me to my local specialist, the fault code indicated and communication failure between two of the control modules, tests carried out but no fault found.

Now the weird bit, exactly the same thing happened yesterday in exactly the same spot and I do mean the same spot.

Once restarted the car drives perfectly. Could this problem have been caued by an outside element i.e radar/radio or phone mast.

The location of the breakdown is very near Heathrow airport, air traffic control and a large office park with the usual bristling array of roof-mounted aerials, masts and dishes.

Anybody got any ideas or experienced anything similar ??

I've not heard of precisely this issue with regard to XK8s. However, about 10/12 years ago I recall there was a spate of similar problems associated with cars at supermarket car parks. The cars wouldn't unlock or in some cases, restart in those locations. The culprits then were thought to be strong radiation from communications masts often sited on or near the supermarket premises. Since that time, car manufacturers have standardised the level of shielding of electronic systems and certainly I haven't heard about the issue for several years. Mike.