another mars red mki (cabby), rear strut rust, bad gas, & 'lectrical gremlin

[doubt at inwave.com (Nate Mellom)]

Foxx,
My buddy bought a Mk3 Jag XJ6 last year, the PO had it stored in a barn 
for years, and couldn't get it to start.  We drained the tanks, put 
fresh gas in, and it fired right up.  I poured some of the old gas into 
a coffee can and threw a match in, tried to light it with a lighter, and 
various other means of ignition, and all it did was snuff out the flame. 
  Even the vapors wouldn't light.  So yes, old gas will cause a car to 
not run!
Nate


Foxx (in a box) wrote:
>   finally got the gf into an a1 (she likes the scirocco but won't 
> publicly admit it). found a fair mars red cabby that needs a little 
> work. the previous owners installed a cheap aftermarket cruise control 
> on it which caused water to leak on the fuse block and, well, melt it. 
> replaced the block and the car still won't start. thought i could feel 
> the main pump kick on, but i can't hear it and think it's most likely 
> hosed. the gas smells old (a full tank of it!), but would that prevent 
> it from starting or simply cause it to run like crap?
>   also due to the cruise control, the instrument does not work. i'm 
> thinking something might just be unplugged, but was curious if anyone 
> else has run into this.
>   probably the most disturbing thing was when we were cleaning it up we 
> found strut tower rust on the right rear. i've never heard of this on an 
> a1, but with it being a convertible.... i hate to think that it's a lost 
> cause, but can it be fixed? anyone parting out a1 sheetmetal? other than 
> that, it's not terribly bad.
>   any help or information would be greatly appreciated by the both of 
> us. thanx.
>