Dear Jaguar Forum Members,

I posted the other day about how my v8 4L 2003 wouldn't start, and thank those who have provided some feedback.

To recap - my car struggled to Start since parking outside, it would just not crank, until 2 or 3 attempts to get it going and thereafter wouldn't struggle after starting first time in a day.
my biggest suspicion was a failing battery (although replacing it 6 months ago) - since Friday the car refuses to start, it doesnt crank at all, and this afternoon my neighbour assisted me in trying to give it a jump start , and after nearly 20 minutes , it refuses to crank.

I now believe it is the starter ? how can we verify this ?

It just doesnt crank now - we have to get it started so we can take it to the mechanic ---


I love this car so much, but its stressing me out !

any advice?

 

You can eliminate the starter relay by removing it and jumping the relay connections with a wire. The vehicle Owner's Manual shows the location of the starter relay and the relay itself has a diagram on the side showing how the connections work internally. Use a voltmeter to see if there is 12 volts coming to the relay from the ignition switch,

If the relay is not the issue, next check the shift selector to ensure the 'P' is lighting up when the ignition is turned on. If not, check under the vehicle to make sure the two 8mm bolts attaching the shift cable to the gearbox are secure. If the bolts are loose or missing, the TCM is not showing the vehicle is in 'P' to engage the starter circuit.

 

What happens exactly when you turn the key from Run to Start? Is there any response from the starter, such as a clunk or a hum?

I’m trying to determine if the control circuit is sending the proper command to engage the starter. If no response, that could be something like a bad neutral safety switch, etc.

But if you hear a clunk or hum, even if the starter is too weak to actually spin the crankshaft, that’s an entirely different problem. Please let us know so we can send you down the right troubleshooting path.

Before changing any parts, first make sure your battery is fully charged. Don’t rely on a jump start. Even though your battery is relatively new, it could be severely discharged. In that case, you will be chasing your tail trying to figure out the problem.

Keep us posted.

 

Hi Karl

Thank you for your help thus far.

We had a mechanic come in, swop the batteries, and it did nothing!

We then had another come in, take out the starter unit, changed the brushes, put it back and still no crank!

I'm having a third come out tomorrow, and look what is the next step, very challenging times in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

The gear selectors P does in fact light up! when the key is in.

I'm suspecting an ignition issue..

There is no buzz nor humm when trying to start, just the dreaded click click,