Hey all, I have an automatic 1988 Pioneer XJ 4.0 that has a few issues (shocking, I know). I can't quite diagnose them, and I am hoping someone here has encountered these symptoms before. I really appreciate any and all input!

First
The car always starts, but about 30% of the time it will start at almost maximum revs, as if I have the pedal down significantly. When this is happening, I can shift into reverse/drive, but the shift is violent and the car jolts when it happens. If in reverse while this is happening, it will not respond to accelerating and wont really move. In drive, the pull (no foot on pedal) is much stronger than typical. Occasionally I can remedy this issue by giving a quick slam to the gas pedal while in park, and she calms down. Usually if it starts like this, I will turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and try again until it starts normally. What gives?

Second
The oil light is trying to tell me something. I am certain there is enough oil and I believe it is clean, I recently removed the oil pan and gave it a good scrubbing and did an oil change. Replaced the pan gasket and rear main seal. Typically the light is off. But sometimes, in the first 10-15 minutes of a drive, the oil light will glow along with my acceleration. In other words, when I accelerate, the oil light comes on, but it will be dim if i am only lightly accelerating. After a while the light stops coming on and all is well.

Third
The last issue in this post is interesting. This only occurs when there are passengers in the rear, or anything with substantial weight resting towards the rear (moving boxes, my bike) Under those circumstances, there is a "tack-tack-tack" that I can hear while turning right. If I am going left/straight, it is fine. If I am going uphill, I can hear it. If I am turning right up a hill, it is unmissable. If I wrap my hand around the e-brake handle while this sound is occurring, I can really feel it in there.

I can provide videos of these events if you think that would help. Ask any questions and I will be monitoring the thread.

-I replaced the rear main seal, head gasket and oil pan gasket.
- I also replaced 4 of the 6 injectors with the '95 volvo ones, as the old ones were leaking gasoline. The two that remain are not leaking, and are the two closest to the firewall.
-Replaced O rings on the fuel rail.
- installed a subwoofer wired through the firewall to the battery.
-Replaced a bunch of vacuum lines, though one or two are still broken, but they seem insignificant.
-Had a leaking expansion plug, but gave it a tightening and the coolant leak stopped.
-She has a weak battery that basically dies if I have the stereo/lights on for 2 minutes when not running.

 

Have you visited my website and completed Tips 1 through 5 yet?

 

Update:
I have been attending your website like it is sunday service.

1. The high revs issue is now constant, after I cleaned out the TB. Maybe I goofed.
2. The oil light problem disappeared weeks ago, not sure why.
3. The issue of the ticking while passengers are in the rear is my front left ball joint. Saving up for that.

For issue 1, I cleaned the ground on the left side of the engine, beneath the dipstick, as well as the mount above the firewall. I have cleaned out the C101, and got a new battery, though I have found some resistance between the negative terminal and that TPS connector piece. I have more work to do on the electrical regard, and am on your website every weekend.

 

LOL! Good job!! Tip 5 might just lead you to completing Tip 6. Recommended to do 6 anyway.

We will get this.....