Today the car would not start. Turning key produced no crank. All lights on dash were on. This has happened before but not since starter relay was replaced. Thought the problem was fixed.

On a hunch I let the car drift back a few feet, and it started right up. Coincidence or could that be a clue to the problem?

Thanks for any help. Glad car was in driveway instead of far from home.

 

XJS? What year and engine?


Cheers
DD

 

How did you let it drift back a few feet. If it involved moving from park to neutral it may be a big clue. Micro switch on shifter not set correctly maybe.

 

Yes, moving from P to N. Car is 92 xjs

 

Which engine /gearbox?

 

The safety switch at the gearshift is a likely suspect, as mentioned. Next time the problem occurs tries jiggling the gearshift. Any change?

If no change....

Locate the white/red wire, and the solid brown wire, at the starter relay. Touch or jump the two wires together. If the starter now operates you have a problem with the relay or a problem upstream of the relay. If the starter does not operate, the problem is downstream of the relay-- the starter itself or the starter solenoid.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for the advice about the switch, I'm sure that's the problem, it wouldn't start in P but fired right up in N although in the am when cold it always starts ok in P.

Btw any ideas why sometimes the antenna fails to go up? Happens now and then, no particular pattern.
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