if i have a dull click when turning the key BUT a turn-over when i cross the brown 12vcable from the starter relay to the white-red wire on the same relay, what is the likely cause?

 

Brown to white red is basically doing what the relay is supposed to do, get battery to the solenoid. If you are hearing the relay operate when you turn the key then the wiring to the relay coil seems to be OK. Sounds like a faulty relay. If so you have 3 options: open it up and clean the contacts, just replace it with the standard unit or swap over to a current generic relay.

An article about the last option is here.

Jaguar Specialties

 

Yeah, my OEM tin can relay left the engine bay a decade or so ago. I installed a generic Bosche type 40 amp relay and it has done just fine.


Some say the tin cans can be opened, the point cleaned and returned to service !
But, why?


I have one of the generic ones that has a melted side. Inside is a miniature version of what is in the tin one. Slick.


Carl

 

Andrew of Jaguar Specialties has it right.

 

tried two relays and similar problem with each.
if it were not the relay in this instance what other things might cause the same issue?

 

hi aden

You have proved the wiring from the solenoid back to 12v + via the jump wire. From your description you still get the relay click when you turn the key, so that suggests that the earth that comes from the transmission selector is reaching the relay, otherwise it wouldnt react to the key at all.

I guess next step might be to get a multimeter and check that you have solid earth and 12v on the relay coil and its not just partially activating. The other possibility is that you have two dud relays unless the second one is known good or new.