Hi all. Currently all I'm getting when I turn the key is a single click. Doing some electrical Sherlock Holmes tomorrow, but does anyone know if the 72 Series 1 had a
starter inhibitor switch inside at/near the gear selector?

My Haynes manual makes no mention of it, but it is listed on a schematics I purchased recently.

Thanks!!

Jeff H.

 

Just checked my 73 car, and I don't even get a "click" when I try to start in D or any other gear. So there must be an inhibitor switch, but this may not be your problem.

 

Almost certainly "yes"....but I've never worked on a Ser I so I'm talking out of my hat.

The click you hear might be the starter relay or might be the starter itself. Either way, it suggests that the inhibit switch is OK

Cheers
DD

 

all cars have a Neutral Safety Switch, aka as Inhibit Switch.

Where it is in the Series 1 XJ ? I have no clue. If it is not by the shifter, it will be on the side of the transmision.

You might check with the 420-G, (MK-X), they are very similar cars to the Series 1 XJ. The main differences are the body panels.
And they were being built at the same time as the first Series 1 XJ, so many parts could be the same.

 

Thanks everyone! My Uncle and I traced the issue to the starter, so I took it off the car and took it to a local auto repair shop I trust and he tested it and sure enough it
is dead. Now I need to decide which to get...another of the same type or a gear reduction starter. I think the later will be beneficial in the cold Iowa winters, but is extra $.

Thoughts on the gear reduction starters? Anyone with one mounted?

Thanks!!
Jeff H

 

my 1984 4.2 still has the factory starter mounted. I have never tried a gear reduction one.

contact David at Everyday XJ for a good used starter.

 

Jeff:

I used to have one that was a left over from the lump process. Unsure what happened to it.

Go for the gear reduction unit if feasible.

Oe big reason. they are much lighter and easierto install!!

My Jeep and jaguar enjoy the GR units...

Carl

 

Follow-up on my choice. I decided to go with the gear reduction starter. So far so good. Car seems to start easier, but cold weather will tell. I have one HUGE beef though.

The old starter, the two bolts that secure it thread into the starter. On the gear reduction I purchased, the two BOLTS go through the “ears” of the started and you have to thread on washers and nuts. The lower of the two was easy enough…the top one was a HUGE TURD!!! Tight space, one had supporting the starter, one hand holding the bolt and one hand threading the nuts. Not pretty. Thanks to the wife for being a real trooper! It was like a bad game of Twister.

Thankfully mine worked on first try. The instructions said on some occasions the plate would have to be “clocked” for proper engagement.

If my view changes I’ll update.

Jeff H.