I have a Jaguar XJ 2014. Over the past 10 days, there has been 3 occasions when I have started it up after it has been stood all day at work and it has just "clicked" then on the second attempt, it started. Today, it would not start at all and the RAC have had to arrange for it to be collected and taken to a garage. They tried the battery, which was OK and he said it is the starter motor. The car has always started first thing in the morning - this problem has only happened when I have got in it at the end of working day. I have had it from new and it has only done under 30K miles. Does anyone know if this is a common issue on a low mileage Jag? Oh and any ideaof the cost of replacing a new starter motor?

Notwithstanding the advice you got from that garage, I suspect that your starter is OK and that you need a new battery particularly if you don't regularly use a CTEK or similar battery maintainer. Your XJ is over 4 years old and, depending on weather and daily driving distances, you are at or near the end of the normal life expectancy of that battery.

If your car is able to be jump started (be sure to follow the procedure in your Owner's Handbook), then your starter is OK and the problem is your battery.

Hope this helps.

One other point - if you don't have a voltmeter, buy or borrow one. Check the main battery voltage across the terminals after the ignition has been in the OFF position for at least ten minutes.

If the battery doesn't have at least 12.6 volts DC, it is weak and should be replaced.

See this thread: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...engine-197738/

I know here in the USA our XJs from 2013 on have the ECO start/stop feature and from 2013 through 2015 we had two batteries. Is this the same in the UK? If so look to replacing both batteries. IMHO

I'm pretty sure that a good primary battery is all you need to start the car because I had no problems starting my XJ after the small, secondary battery died. In the OP's situation. I'd replace them both at the same time due to their age.

As others have said, the car must have a good battery, 13v to 15.5v. On ignition 1. I use a CTEK mx5 intelligent charger routinely without disconnecting the battery, it is electronics safe.
Friend with a 5L v8 had a none starting issue overnight, previous day no issues. Next morning no warning messages, normal dash but engine wouldn’t turn over on pressing start. Found the problem to be two broken low voltage cables at the starter motor. Remade them & car fired immediately on start. Worth checking if no joy with the battery.

Hi all

Thanks for the replies. I have only just come back to the forum.

The car is not 4 years old yet and only done 22,000 miles. When the AA collected it the next day it started first time again!! It was taken to a garage who tested the diagnostics and all diagnostics reports showed OK, including the battery (which was also tested by AA).

I have been driving Jag's for 20 years and each and every one does the same "trick" before it is a thousand miles from service. It always starts first time, but after a short run and several hours later, it doesn't start first time. The service warning then comes on and says it is .....miles from service, in this case it was 1000, then 865 miles the last time it showed up. After 4 or 5 times of not starting the first time and the service warnings, it refused to start, but was Ok the next morning. VERY ODD! I am certain that Jaguar put some sort of microchip in there to get you to take it to their garage for service. No chance!

It's starting fine and dandy again now, but it is being serviced next week, as a precaution and the fact that I am on holiday for a week. I'll get the mechanic to check everything mentioned on here and it helps that he also has a Jag.

Thanks, guys.

Gotta love these quirky Jag's.