Hey all. I have a 2012 xj super charged v8 and I'm pretty sure my starter motor has started its last motor. I'm by no means a certified mechanic, but I'm no stranger to turning a wrench. I'm wondering if I should attempt this repair myself or just bite the bullet and take it in. Normally I would do it mysel, but seeing as how I had to remove the whole under skirting and front bumper just to replace a burnt out headlight bulb, I'm a little apprehensive to just jump in feet first on this one. Is there anyone out there that can advise me. The last starter I replaced was on a 1972 gmc pickup and that was a piece of cake, but I was also able to literally sit in the engine compartment and that is obviously not the case with my jag. If anyone out there can let me know if it's just a matter of getting under the car and removing a couple bolts and the wiring, or if I have to dismantle the whole damn engine just to get access, I would be forever in your debt. Thanks

 

bob, looking at the service manual, it doesn't appear to be that hard of a job. Yes, you will have to drop the pan that goes under the engine and all the way back to the tranny. In your case, the starter is inboard of the front passenger wheel, a little back towards the firewall. It looks like there are 2 bolts that you access from the tranny side to remove the starter and then you have a few wires that need to get pulled too.

I would say before you start pulling the starter, I would pull the plate under the motor and then put a multimeter on the main bolt for the starter (where the battery attaches to the starter). I would then have someone attempt to start the car as you are measuring this voltage. If you are getting something over 10 VDC (should be closer to 11), then yes, the starter is most likely bad. If you are getting something in the 12 VDC range, then I would be looking at the wiring to the starter relay. If you are getting something under 10 VDC, this is where you need to do a second check on the starter where the power comes into the relay. If the voltage is still low, then you have a cable/battery issue. If it is high, then your starter relay is toast.

 

Thanks for the info. I will definitely test first. I'm hoping it's just the relay, but it's never just the relay...thanks again, appreciate the help.