roKWiz

This happened to my own XF on a regular basis, very unnerving particularly while on the freeway. I had auto electricians test the spark and approved it until it happened coming back from the sparky, fitted new coils was good for a while but then continued to do it. Found the EST was good, dizzy good (apart from) damage being done everytime the thing backfired. Turns out it was a loose broken wire connector next to the 2 main relays next to the battery which would cause the stall shortly after driving it. Fixed and hasn't done it since (except because of the violent backfires from previous, I've needed to replace the dizzy gear wheel twice due to using secondhand replacements. Crow cams supplied a new one plus a spare I'll probably never need to use.) BTW, moved my new coil to the LH suspension tower away from the heat.

I was thinking of the reliable ones in the Ford Traders.

Those stupid vacuum lines running inside the dash, think I may have a leak under there somewhere. . Something to investigate when I get back home. Give me the good old fashion wire control cables anytime.

My Feb 93 XF van wiring is bog stock and I only have one relay at the brake booster and 2 down at the battery. btw that red circled plug doesn't want to come apart at freeway speeds like mine did, fortunate to avoid a large backfire saving the dizzy gear and rear muffler.

There's some bloody big mountains around here, just ask my poor old trucks.

A little bit like my Louisville. I think there are a couple of Ford bits still left on it. English magazine I used to buy was "Classic Yacht" where this subject continually haunts their letters pages. As Mr Polsons above stated...........A well known turn of the last century racing yacht "Rona" had all its planking replaced, ribs and stringers recut, the copper sheathing was all new, the decks had to be replaced and the doghouse was reconstructed out of remaining pieces from the original. The masts, rigging and sails were all new but the keel and mast step were totally saved with all its serial numbers etched into the casting of the lead ballast. So it was classified as an original 1899 yacht with Lloyds of London backing its authenticity.

How things have changed, back in the 70s and 80's we were all trying to update and modernize our cars now we're going the opposite way in looks.

The XF was getting really hard to get the worn down key to work in the ignition so took the key to one of those generic locksmith blokes who did a lot of head scratching and couldn't be bothered to work out the codes giving up. Tried another country guy (sell guns and ammo, safes etc and do locks), took one look and said yes thats a ??? Turned around cut me a new one, walked out the door, stuck it in the ignition and turned straight away. Might need to find a decent locksmith who is willing to put the effort in to duplicating the key.

Using Russian made Bosch.

Now I know why XF headlights are crap, being made by the "Prince of Darkness" himself.

Not knowing your system, Is the 3rd battery the same as the 2nd one ? Always good to match batteries of the same amps etc (and age). If the 2nd one has been in operation for a while it could bring the newly added one down in charge to that level. I would only add another battery into a bank if I could determine that the original aux battery was holding its charge to the capacity of the new one. Sometimes its better to add 2 new ones together in parrallel. You might need to change the cabling size to match the capacity and can the alternator keep up demand. A high amp alternator doesn't alway allow a charge to another battery until it senses a fully float charge, 1st the starting one, then to the 1st aux then the 2nd aux might get some charge. Thats a lot of driving necessary to charge all 3 up. I'm assuming this but do not know how you system has been set up.

Yep, my Louisville chassis number looks similar only they are on the LHS rails top flange. Kenworth's are the same from that era.

No wonder mine runs like crap warming up in the dead of winter. Summers fine. and thanks Mr Polson

Just out of curiosity what does this PVS actually do, or is it just part of the choke setup.

Yes just bought a replacement tap for mine as its showing signs of decay with the occasional drip.