Morning guys! Just went out to start the XJ8 VDP.. engine didnt kick over completely....so I went to restart it. Now when I turn the key it simply makes a loud sound and doesnt even remotley kickover? Any ideas what this might be???Where I should begin my troubleshooting?

NOTE* the loud sound sounds like if you were to have the car running and try to start it while running..that loud sound that action makes...Thanks mates!

 

First guess - battery needs charging.

Second guess - loose connection between the battery and starter either in B+ or ground.

Third guess - bad starter.

 

Thanks Test point....we just installed new battery this summer...question I would have is...if bad starter...would it still make noise? Chcked ground connections seems tight...

 

Location of starter??? I am not certain now that I am looking at it..of course crawling under the car is next to impossible

 

The starter motor gear could be failing to engage the flex plate gear and just grinding against it. Perhaps a symptom of low voltage at the starter. I would certainly measure that before pulling the starter. Should have at least 10.5v at starter B+ under load. Less, battery/wiring. More, starter.

 

Remove the cover on the RH firewall extension and you will see a cable with a rubber cover. That is the B+ power from the battery. Connect a volt meter there to ground and try a short start to see what happens to the voltage. It should not drop below 10.5v. Beyond that you are going to have to test this from below the car. DO NOT get under the car on the Jaguar supplied jack.

 

Additional thought:

A battery a few months old does not guarantee a fully charged battery.

i.e., eliminate the obvious