Had no problem until about a week ago. Turned the key and the starter didn't turn. No dimming of dash lights, etc., Pulled the key out and tried again, and it started. Was fine the past week until yesterday. Tried to start, nothing. Same symptoms. Tried about 10 times, including removing the key and putting it back in (it was warm and the car had been driven, so I thought it might be temp related). This morning, turned the key, and nothing again. Multiple times, and it finally starts. I turned it off, and it started. Turned it off, and the next time nothing. I haven't tried to dig up the wiring diagram, but any suggestions on where to look first? I'll locate the solenoid fuse and see if it is okay (if any corrosion). Some people have mentioned brushes. Is it possible to replace the brushes without removing the starter? Sounds like the top bolt is hard to remove.

Any feedback from folks on when they start to see starter problems, what the most common issue is? My old '97 went 247k miles with no starter issues whatsoever.

I was thinking worst case I connect a jumper cable to the solenoid connection at the starter and see if it will start with the ignition on.

Any suggestions, etc. are appreciated. I'd like to check a few things before I pull the starter out. (I will check power to the solenoid before I pull the starter if it comes to that.

Thanks.

Gordon
'05 xj8l, 160k miles

 

Often tapping it with a wrench will jar the brushes enough to start.

Don't push your luck if it does, rebuild your starter..

 

Thanks. I put a remote start switch on the solenoid, and it turns over every time. In addition, I put a volt meter on the line going to the solenoid, and sometimes it has full power when the key is in position III, and sometimes only about 4vdc. So it appears to be upstream. I now need to find where the solenoid relay is (apparently soldered to the PCB under the fuses rather than a pluggable one) and which terminals to test. I need to see if power is getting to the relay when the key is in position III or not. If it is, then the relay is bad. If not, then something else further upstream. Uggg....

 

Next time it does this, look at the security light on the top of the dash. If it starts blinking rapidly it means it's not reading your key's chip.
I experienced the same issue as you only it would happen once in a blue moon then one day it never started again. Rare but the chip in my key gave out and I only had the one key, ouch.
FYI, while I was hunting for this rabbit I did manage to jump the starter from under the car thinking it had gone bad. It did crank fine but of course the system will not ignite the car. You may try this to rule out your starter if its good. If you have the 2 main keys start making copies while its easy to program them to the car.

 

I didn't look at the security light, but I used another key fob and it starts every time. I am now keeping two other key fobs in the center console while I test it. I'll also check the security light next time it happens since that should confirm it.

Thanks so much!! I think this is the problem. BTW The key fob in question is an after market one. I purchased two when our last remaining original one was having issues with the buttons not always working. So, I'll probably always just keep that one in the car as my back up.

 

Clean the battery terminals, and then snug them up. It would be rare for a Jaguar starter to fail.