I have a 2003 S-Type with around 165,000 miles and sometimes it will not start.

The battery is new, so that is not the problem. I can eventually get it to start by wiggling around the shift lever, turning the ignition key on and off, and pressing the brake pedal.

I suspect it has something to do with the shift lever, but I'm not 100% sure. I've also noticed that the problem only seems to occur when the car is sitting level. When I have it parked in my driveway, the nose is slightly downhill and I never have trouble starting it. It only seems to occur when I park it on a level surface. Today I pulled up to a gas pump and turned it off, then I immediately turned the key back on and it refused to start (until I jiggled the shift lever, etc for about 3 minutes).

I noticed that when I turn the ignition key to start (and it fails to start), I hear a small relay click from somewhere inside the dashboard. This does not sound like a starter solenoid, it's much quieter.

Any ideas about what may be causing this issue?

 

It sounds like the interlock is not making properly.
Have a look through this, it might help -

J-Gate interlock solinoid question - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Please define "will not start". Does the starter engage and get the crankshaft spinning but the engine does not run? Or is the starter not doing anything? I think you mean the latter (no starter action), but want to be sure. Big difference in troubleshooting details, so I want to be sure we head down the right trail.

Oh stop it, you're killing me! A part must be good because it's new. What a knee-slapper! Not sure I can top that one. I know this limerick about a guy from Nantucket...

All seriousness aside, the battery is not likely to be the problem here, but never say never. I do not care to discuss how I learned this.



If the problem is the starter not responding, look at the indicators at the base of the shift lever before turning the key. The P should be illuminated. If not try shifting to N and make sure that lights up. If the transmission is not in P or N, the starter is inhibited from operating.

The feedback to illuminate these indicators (and enable the starter) comes from a switch at the transmission. Raise the car on jackstands and look where the shift cable attaches to the transmission. The cable housing is secured by two small bolts. If loose, the transmission may not be properly shifting into P when stopped. This could be causing the whole problem.

 

A couple years back on our '05. I had an issue with the shifter "in park sensor" AIR, I pulled the J gate shift cover up enough to stick a small shaft screwdriver down to activate the switch. The vehicle started. Joyce did that while we waited for the new sensor to arrive. The problem is to gain access to the sensor you have to remove the console. Not a bad job just a bit time consuming.

To this day we do not know how the switch went bad.

 

You mustn’t be too hard on yourself. You do your best to provide a stable loving upbringing. But unbeknownst to you, he starts hanging out with the wrong crowd. It’s heartbreaking.