I have a 2000 Xj8 that won't start. I viewed some of the forum posts and checked that the fuel pump is running. I changed the fuel filter. The engine cranks but no attempt to start is heard. I sprayed starter fluid into the throttle assembly still no attempt to start. Swapping the ingnition coil relay was no help. The tach does not move while cranking the engine. Is the crank sensor bad?

 

Don't know about the crank sensor but do you have a CEL? Codes? Have you checked the compression of tried the cylinder wash start procedure?

 

What is a CEL? I have a code reader and before I reset the codes days ago it had lean fuel in Bank A and Bank B or Bank1 and Bank2. But no new codes since the starting problem. I tried the cylinder wash start procedure by holding the pedal to the floor but the engine makes no attempt to start.

 

CEL = Check Engine Light The thing that tells you to look for codes!

 

No check engine light and fuel sprays out of the fuel rail when the fitting is pressed in on the test fitting.

 

How about the ECM power relay?

 

Without fuel and spark the car will not start. I am not saying this is the only reason for a no start condition but a place to start. First check the fuel pressure with a gauge then go to the spark. If you are attempting to start the car in “P” then move the shifter to “N” and give it a try. See what that does for you. And yes I know that if you have a problem with the shifter selector switch it should not crank. We had two cars that would crank but would not start and the problem was related to the shifter selector switch. Give it a try!

 

well, with no tach, there are several things to look at. Check the circuits to the ecu, then the crank sensor is certainly suspect, although there are few reported problems on this engine.

 

Ross you could be correct!

 

All the fuses are good. The fuel is good. A meter shows an voltage change at the crank position sensor input to the ECM. The relays have all been moved around and the symptions of the problem do not change. Still no fire at the spark plug removed from the engine.

 

Tried the gear selector in P and N without any fire at the plugs.

 

Several years ago I had a coil failure that blew the fuse resulting in no spark but if you checked the fuses then that is out of the picture. Did you check power to the fuse box? Swap same relays and see what it does before going deeper.

 

Swapped all the relays, checked power to the relays, the tach is now operating when trying to start. It doesn't start but it sounds like it is "trying" to start. We pulled out a couple of the ignition coils and with a spark plug the spark is yellow. Sprayed starter fluid directly into the throttle opening and still won't start.

 

Also, changed out all the spark plugs and then it when it began "trying" to start.

 

Is your spark is yellow or orange? It should be blue. If you are seeing the yellow or orange you need to check the fuses & relays feeding the electrical spark system and I would not rule out the ECU. I am attaching a oneline to assist you http://www.gusglikas.com/images/Auto.../jagxj2000.pdf I hope this helps!

 

Replaced the ECU module. No change. The darn thing still does not start and did not even shudder like it was attempting to start.

 

Do you have a Nikasil engine? If that is the case I am going to take a bold step and suggest that you have a cylinder wash situation. Does it seem that the engine is spinning more freely than normal when attempting to start? The only way to tell for sure is to get a compression test. Because you have fuel and spark I am leaning towards this no so uncommon situation. I have a few links for you to read and see what you think.

http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairNikasil.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairNoStart.htm
http://www.gusglikas.com/AutoRepairNikasilSulfur.htm

I hope this helps!

 

Gus you were correct again.....The cat is back running smoothly after adding 3 eye droppers of Marvel Mystery Oil to each cylinder. I attached a compression gauge to two of the cylinders before adding the oil and they were only reading 20-40 psi.. After adding the oil they jumped to 90 psi in only a couple of turns of the engine using the starter. She smoked up the garage once starting after about 2 minutes of off and on 30 second engagements of the starter motor. The engine number was confusing to tell if it was a Nikasil engine. The date code stamped on the engine is 00113 1453. So I could not tell if that meant January or November? I guess we now know it was January before the cutoff date. Thanks again...

 

Kudos to you! On the road again!