sometimes when i turn the key..car wont start..i get sort of a click sound. after a few seconds it starts right up. im thinking its either a starter issue or maybe a weak battery. any suggestions/advice ?

 

Here ya go

Engine Will Not Crank Checklist


Cheers
DD

 

what should my meter on the dash read???

 

With the key on, engine off, it should read a bit over 12 volts.

With the engine running it should read 13-14 volts...which will drop down a bit if accesories are turned on: blower fans, lights, rear defogger, etc

Bear in mind that the volt meters on the Ser IIIs are notoriously lazy. You wouldn't want to depend on the reading for actual diagnostics. Use a hand held volt meter/multi-meter.

Cheers
DD

 

Mmmmm, that would depend on the mood of the car on the day, seriously.

The dash gauges are really only a guide. Our S3 6cyl always read about 13v, and the digital across the battery was 14.2v.

Meter your battery, should be around 13v as standing, and providing it is charged. Watching that meter, hit the starter, and see what happens. It will drop, but usually no lower than about 11v. If it "crashes" then the battery is No1 suspect.

I am tending more to the starter relay being hissy, VERY common. Simple mark the wires BEFORE removing them, and pull the cover off the relay and carefully clean the contacts inside, rinse with a solvent, refit and enjoy the drive.

Agreed, there may be a myriad of things giving grief, but the simple stuff usually sorts most gremlins, even in Jags.

 

great stuff men....will do all above tomorrow and most likely wityh a major hangover.

thanks again for the info

 

Hangover, now we will see some sense, always clearer with an ale or 2 or 3.

I will be finishing the total rewire of the 1948 Rover tomorrow, maybe, and a fresh supply of "home brew" has just got OK for consumption mmmmmm.

Anyway, "red to red, black to black, flick the switch and stand right back".

ENJOY

 

in the states, well at least in central jersey, the cure is a 6 pack of michelob lites and a 1/2 pint of either jacko daniels or jimbo beam.

 

how long are you expecting this re-wire to take?

do you have the inside gutted and after wiring putting everything back in..in one day?

 

HAHAHAHAHA, I luv a comedian, SERIOUSLY.

The owner started to strip the car for a restore some 10 years ago, and as a carpet cleaner he is GREAT, but touching a car, well, NO WAY.

He stopped at 7 crates of "bits". The mice did the job on the wiring and the hoses etc. All the detachable body panels are off.

It arrived 2 years ago, and NO wiring diagram available as such, only what is in the owners manual. Workshop manual, NO, only some snippets here and there thanks to google.

Lucky I kept ALL my old books and stuff from the '50's and '60's, as they have heaps of info in them if you know where to look.

The original request was basically the wiring and a water pump replacement, on and on is a daily task, as it was in such a sad state.

It is sitting at about 600 hours labour at the moment, plus parts, most of which had to be made.

Very similar to the Mk 4 Jaguar in many ways.

The wiring is almost finished, with some 21st century update type additions. Still maintained "+ve earth", so caution was required.

The engine is back together and in the chassis.

Suspension all done.

Gearbox and diff all done.

Once I finish the mechanicals, it is off to the body/painters, then back for all the lights etc to be fitted and wired up, then the trimmer, then back for a final tick of approval, then off to our "bush" where it will live.

He now informs me he is looking at a 2nd one, for a "freshen up" when this one is finished, mmmmm.

 

cleaned the battery terminals and connectors and it has been starting up fine ever since.

i had the battery out of the car, so why not clean the entire area

wiring fascinates me yet i dont know how to read a wirin diagram

what are the 3 different set of white adaptored wires part of or powering ?

there are a few others in that area as well. can any one tell me whats what over there??

 

You're probably looking at the fuel injection harness. Post a pic!

Cheers
DD

 

im half bozo. my buddy told me always take before and afters..... and what do i do...forget!!

 

Have a look at this. British wiring colour codes. Its all based on a main colour plus a tracer.

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.u...ew_order_2.pdf