Here is what Haynes has to say when our beloved XJ40s decide to be temperamental on the road and away from home.

These four pages include:

1. if your car won't start
2. jump starting
3. wheel changing
4. fluid leaks and
5. towing

 

I have never had this happen to me. I've actually had to rap the side of an inertia switch with a wrench to make it "go off" when I wanted it to do so.

My view is that unless you actually run into something with your car (or vice versa) or a tow vehicle "jerks" your car while towing your car home, I think the odds of this happening are zilch.

However, I have suggested this to be checked in two or three prior threads.

So, if you work on your own car and if you know where your inertia switch is located, it is a roadside repair if it gets "tripped". You may need a flashlight when looking for it at night.

I found in the back of Haynes, Fault Finding REF 13:1 Engine

Engine will not rotate when attempting to start

1. -
2. -
3. -
4. -
5. -
6. -
7. -
8. -
9. -
10. -
11. -
12. Inertial switch activated (see Chapter 12).
13. -