Hello,

So my starter has gone out on my '96 XJ12. I'm in the process of replacing it now.

I've removed the RH downpipe and have removed the wires to the starter, as well as the bottom starter mounting bolt.

I cannot seem to access the top bolt, as the heat shield and the transmission tunnel are in the way. I'm using a 12-point Universal Socket and long extensions as per the advice I read about V12 starter replacement, however all the advice I've seen was for the XJS, which may have different clearance between the bolt and the transmission tunnel.

Does the transmission mount have to be dropped in order to access the top starter mounting bolt?

Thanks,
Nick

 

Turns out I was trying to remove the wrong bolt. Just below the bolt I was trying to remove was an equally hidden bolt, with the correct 7/16" 12-Point Head. I was wondering why the top bolt was 6-point when everyone was saying it should be a 12-point.

I also was able to replace a leaking transmission cooler line that I ordered months ago but never installed. By using a crowfoot line wrench, and with the starter and the downpipe out, replacing it was a BREEZE. Glad I did it, the rubber hose portion of the line was gashed from a drive belt and was covering all of my front-end parts with transmission fluid, which means that I now need a front-end rebuild because all the bushings have turned into Jell-O.

Thanks,
Nick

 

Glad you've managed to do it. There's not much knowledge about repairs of our X305 so your experience is very valuable.
Just curious, how did the starter die? Were there any symptoms before it was completely gone? Your car's mileage seems to be not that high...

 

Hello, thanks for the reply.

The starter solenoid was bad. Roughly three months ago, when starting the car, I got nothing from the starter. I assumed it was due to the transmission selector, and I brought the gearshift out of park, back in, and tried starting again. It still didn't work. I tried the key again, and the engine started.

I figured it was just a gear shift issue. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, I was getting the car aligned at the shop and they pulled it up by the door for me to leave. They turned the engine off. I tried starting, no crank. I sat there for about 3 minutes cycling the ignition on and off, and it finally started.

I checked the starter relay and wiring and fuses and they were fine. The next day the car did the same. It was odd because it would start fine in the morning when leaving for work, but it would give me trouble when leaving work at night. It would always eventually start, but I had to cycle the key to start dozens of times before it would actually crank. I would only get clicking from the relays under the hood.

I put the car away and ordered the starter from RockAuto. I actually had to push the car in the garage because it simply wouldn't start at all, even after a total of hours attempting to. It finally gave up the ghost completely.

The motor portion is fine, it's the solenoid that's bad. I verified this by bench testing the old starter when I removed it.

I know there aren't many posts of actual experience with these X305s, so I try to document whatever problems I can. I took some pictures and I'll post them soon.

Thanks,
Nick

 

The top bolt as seen from above, through the engine bay, looking down:


The two starter mounting bolts:


The original Magneti Marelli starter:


The fittings for the transmission cooler lines. Easily loosened with a crowfoot line wrench:


The new and original cooler lines:


The new Rebuilt starter in place:


The V12 block, not looking too bad as far as oil leaks are concerned:








-Nick

 

Excellent documentation Nick. Thank you for that. Now if I only knew what a crowfoot line wrench looks like! NBD, I can look it up if I ever need one.

 

Here you go:



With one of those slipped on the fitting and a longish extension, I could at least get it broken loose enough to unscrew it fully by hand.

-Nick

 

Well thank you again Nick! I was anticipating another photo. Now I have a good idea of their usefulness. Your photo set here is like "Voyage to the bottom of the V12". "See places never seen before"! I don't think I've ever seen the engine mounts on my twelve. Good to have all that info here now.