What is the stator?
This "stator" part is not listed in the parts diagram.

 

The "stator" that they're referring to is also called the "camshaft position sensor" or the "pick-up coil" that is inside the distributor. It's the electrical thingy under the rotor.

 

Ok, I've been told there is no CAM sensor in the XJ's. It's called distributor switchplate in the catalog. (and does what a CAM sensor would do)

 

Same thing happened to me after degreasing the engine. Ran fine before, sprayed the engine with water, started, died, started again, moved it 20 feet shut it off and now no spark with codes 12 and 54 indicating the stator is bad.I'll post back after I test mine for future reference.

 

Solved!!

Had the same problems (CPS and CPK Codes) rough idle or no start. Read posts, here and other forums. Was going to re-replace (distributor style) Cam Position sensor but decided to grab hold of the tone spinney thingy that the sensor senses. (Don’t do this while it’s spinning). I thought to myself “Hmmm that’s odd…. this spinney thing rotates freely. This is supposed to be, directly, geared to the oil pump / crankshaft” I then decided to pull it out….”Clink clank clunk” The small gear that was on the Cam position sensor shaft dropped into the oil pan.

The spring pin that holds the gear to the Cam position sensor shaft had sheared off. Once I got the gear out of the oil pan and replaced the whole assembly the engine worked fine.

The intermittent nature, I think, is due to friction still being able spin the shaft and produce a (poor) signal. A signal that will let it run some times and not others.

Hope this helps.