So I am able to spend on the dealer, and really jist want to collect information to help them.
Why, the problem is intermittant.

I go out one day, normal day and push the start and hear normal except for no starter. Methinks starter or solenoid and get it to the dealer but I left it a few days and tried each day... same thing. Called for the tow and guy says "Nice car, never saw one" and I said yeah supercharged and fantastic. I hit the start button and it fired up no problem.

Sent it to the dealer anyway, no fault found, a couple hundred bucks for them to charge the battery and send it back to me.
I replaced the battery in Spring (6 months ago) because the screen said "Low Battery" so I doubt it is the issue... but no problem. I expect that it started when it arrived at dealer and they really didn't see a problem.

I drive it home and ready to lay it up for Winter anyway, I tried it and no start.
Symptom;
- I hear the usual noise, a humm of maybe fuel pump or whatever.
- I hear a click, right or wrong I think starter or solenoid is trying and failing.
- I realize in hindsite, the break pedal is firm.
(This is the symptom that causes me to rethink starter and solnoid... maybe the brakes pedal doesn't depress (for whatever reason) and the car thinks I'm hitting "accessories mode" to lisetn to the radio instead of thinking I'm trying to start it up.

Sorry for the long story but I guess I've taken the time to think of what to do next... I have a winter car so I might as well send this one in and give them a clear directive. QUESTION:
Do I tell them to replace starter no matter what?
Do I tell them to replace solenoid no matter what?
Do start thinking a sensor on the brakes pedal?
What would you do?

I'll take anything, any comments good or bad... its all infromation that I can use to be ready for Spring or Summer...

 

Are you saying that you hear the same noises when pressing the brake pedal as you do when not pressing the brake pedal ? I've heard that the brake pedal switch is a common failure on some XF's, it is often intermittent ( but not sure if specifically your model). Cheapish fix as a starting point maybe? I don't actually know if that is it though !!!

 

Well, yes I am saying that so this is very helpful... and this is possibly going to save me some money so thank you very much.

Again, my first thought was starter or solenoid then I started to think "what if brakes" and you confirmed I might as wel start there. If it doesn't fix it, I can move on to my other (more costly) troubalehooting steps.


Thanks,
Rob in Canada

P.s. I work for an Australian company.

 

Well do the simple stuff first.
Are your brake lights coming on when the pedal is pushed?
Can you try to press harder on the brake pedal when attempting to start it and see if that helps any?
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Hi, thanks for jumping into this... wife just said she didn't see brake lights when I just wen tout to check.
This brakes sensor theory seems to be gaining steam.

 

Yes it's been reported a number of times and it does not always point to a hard failure either.
Sometimes repositioning the switch fixes it and some cars just take a firmer push than others on the brake pedal.
Now I can't explain why?
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I have found that if mine sets up for a few days the brake pedal becomes "firm" when trying to start. I assume the master cylinder is involved here. The fix for me is to press VERY hard on the brake pedal and it will start right up. Once driven, problem does not happen again until it isn't driven for a few days.

This has been true for well over a year so as soon as I feel the firm pedal I push harder. (knock on wood) has worked for me consistently.

 

This whole post has been about the most productive I've ever seen, and I'm on qute a few forcums with quite a few hobbies.

Thank you also... I'm trying this tonight to test

 

Very good point. I hesitate to post what is potentially a forum folklore/voodoo belief ( unfortunately there are always well meaning but often clueless members that just repost unvalidated and often incorrect info , no matter the forum !) , but I read somewhere that , when turning off your car , keep your foot OFF the brake pedal. I now do this in all my automatic cars. Looking back a number of years , I do remember having ocasions where the car did not immediately start , but did when I ran through the usual things , including pressing harder on the brake pedal, never thought much about it :shrug: Car has always started fine since then. Probably not of any relevance, thought I'd mention it though.

Great to see ! Hope it all works out for you !! See you when you get to Aus !

 

Well it is a great forum BUT we do request you come back and tell us if we were right or wrong about your problem?
We have so many dead end threads that would be very useful if the original guy had finished it up with yes that worked or no it not work.
We are all just guessing on the Internet!
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I absolutely will do.

I am waiting for a decent weather day so I'm not pushing hard against a brake drum that might have frozen condensation to push through also.
(Granted I might be overly cautious on these things. )

It was -9 yesterday and might not go above 0 for another week or so...

 

Last update, today it rolled up over 0 degrees.

Open up and sat in and pushed the brake harder than usual, and car fired up fine.

It looks like this brake theory holds up as the winner.

The brake switch probably also could use a look for anyone having the same issues. Thanks so much for everyone's input.

 

Zero cost repair for the win!!
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