Bought a used 2009 XF Premium the other day. Overall, great car.
Last night, however, I went to start it up. Everything worked as normal except when I pressed the start button, nothing happened. The knob was in park, I pressed the brake, but car didn't even turn over after several attempts. The transmission knob was recessed so I couldn't mess with it.

I did two things and the car finally started. I don't know which one did the trick if at all.
1. I rocked the car back and forth
2. I pressed REALLY hard on the brake

Has anyone else had this problem?

p.s. The car has had its recalls fixed and the transmission range switch was replaced a couple of years ago, if that matters.

 

Was the light blinking when you were trying to press it? It may not have seen the key.

 

Yes. Everything looked normal. When I held the start button down, nothing happened and then, after 1-2 seconds, the vents closed and the ignition turned off. I did dock my key in that receptacle under the steering column, just in case. That didn't do much.

 

It's the brake pedal switch. This is a safety interlock. Others have had this issue. You should only have to press firmly on the brake pedal to activate the starter electrics, not stand on it. However, a light foot pressure often isn't enough and it is easy to apply too little pressure or lift your foot before the starter is actually engaged. If it happens again see your dealer and see if a new switch works.

 

Just found the problem to my starting issue I had. Problem was that the gear selector was not raising up from centre console and just a "click" noise was heard from the starter motor and engine would not crank. Long story short, every diagnostic computer attached never gave any report other than the usual but led me to think it was an earthing issue so after changing the battery and getting starter motor and all major earth points checked I noticed water in the spare wheel well which, as it turned out, was shorting out the boot mounted speaker under the plastic box under the spare wheel. Speaker was very corroded (never even knew it had a speaker in there). Once disconnected, engine fired up and no more problems. Hope this helps even one person with saving a long and drawn out costly process in the future.

 

The gear shift module in the xf was a common failure, specially the early models. When the rotary knob rises, has the D ever blinked while driving?