Hello:

I'm new to the forum but have visited frequently as a guest over the last few weeks. The information here is excellent. I bought a Red 2000 XJ at a Wash DC inpound auction. I wasn't able to inspect it so took a chance. It is in very good condition with 127000 miles, although someone busted the ignition out of it and it had no key. I jumpered the ignotion and got all the lights and dash to work and the engine to turn over but it wouldn't start due to the immobilizer. I had it trucked to the dealer and ended up paying $1200 for replacement steering column and clockspring as well as new key. It started right up and runs fine. Of course they said it needs $2000 in work...shocks, brakes, etc, all at dealer prices of course. When I got it home the airbag light was on and they said oh forgot to tell you the module is bad and that will be $300 and 2 hours of labor. I see I can get one on ebay for $40. Also grabbed new bumpers and painted them and are replacing them now due to minor collision damage, as well as replacing the end caps which are actually pretty reasonably priced. Turns out a 1999 red cherokee Sport came up on another auction and my fiance bought that for her 17 yo son to drive. Same exact vehicle and color. So now we have 2!

 

Welcome to the forums. Two xj's are better than one, haha

 

As long as I don't have to remove the bumpers in the other one...what a pita the back one is...front wasn't too bad once the end caps were off.
Now it's in the 80s and humid already...was in the 50s Sunday...haven't adjustd yet!

 

I thought the airbag module was supposed to be a recall.. ie free labor and parts.. that sucks, though. Make sure you get us some pics!

 

Hmmm I'll check that out. Not to happy with the dealer though because they wanted to do the work to get it to pass inspection, and I think a lot of it isn't required...shocks, small steering stabilizer leak, for example. I have it licensed and registered now but not inspected. My gas station across the street is always quick and easy so I think if I can swap the module and get the light to go out I should be good to go.

 

i know for sure it's a recall, and you'd think with it being the airbag module it'd be a safety recall... which I thought they did for free.

 

Was able to get an airbag module plus the fuse box cover and rear dome light from a part-out on the forum here...awesome fast service and it was shipped same day. Just put the module in and it fixed the problem. Took it to get inspected and it passed so now I'm good to go. Finished installing both new bumpers with end caps and she's looking good. Just need to adjust one of the hood latches and the door locks and should be good to go. Oh, and replace the pesky center console support bracket which was in 4 pieces when I went to replace the airbag module.

 

So picked up my fiance's 99 Sport on Friday...was on an on-line auction and being sold by the high school auto repair class. The guys had replaced the head gasket, and a few others small jobs. It had 190k miles and got it for $2600 which I thought was a great deal. The interior is immaculate...even has the center arm rest latch. I ran it in the shop, tested the AC, everything worked and it was inspected through Dec 2013, so felt comfortable bidding up to $2600 . Saturday got the oil and trans fluid changed. Had a slight knock on acceleration after we picked it up. So guess what...threw a rod on Sunday. Now looking at options on whether to part out or replace the engine. Hate to part out such a clean vehicle. Anybody want it? It's in Northern VA.

 

That is terrible man... I had a similar thing happen to me (wife blew a head) about 100 miles after we got it... Good luck. I don't know what else to say. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you probably will not make close to 2600 back if you part it out.

 

Welcome to the site