i have no idea how to boot a pic, but im hoping i attached the right photo.
ive read over the checklist and this is where im at.

ive had a starting issue for some time. sometimes it will click once and then nothing.

in the pick i hope i added.. i took the 2 white wires from the part (which i think is the starter solenoid) and it would crank and and keep cranking but not turn over. I plug them back in and car starts right up. but sometimes it doesnt start right away.

could a break in either of these 2 skinny white wires (the one going into the bottom connector has electric tape in the area of the break)

or could it be:

i just put in a brand new starter relay. one of the wires (right at the connector) needs to be cut and refitted with a new connector.
if you can picture the starter relay, when connected its the front far left wire..red and white i think.

im going to add the pick to my garage just in case it cant be viewed from this thread

 

it worked

 

You checked the battery cables and main ground strap under the car?




No, that's the ballast resistor on the ignition coil. The starter solenoid is on the starter itself






"Crank" and "turn over" are the same thing. I think you're trying to say that it would crank but wouldn't start, right?





Right, because when you plug them back in your ignition works again !



Cranks, but doesn't start right away? Or doesn't crank right away? Not trying to bust your chops but it it makes a difference :-)






Neither of the white wires at the ballast will cause a "no crank" problem but they would cause a "cranks, but won't start" problem



The heavy white/red red goes to the starter solenoid. If it has a poor connection it could cause a "no crank" problem

cheers
DD

 

Are you saying the replacing the connector on the white/red wire fixed your problem?


Cheers
DD

 

youre right doug, it cranks but does not start when i took those wires out.

i did not replace the connector yet, i will do that tomorrow.

ill get underneath and check it from the other end. it has to be the problem

 

Is it possible the lock-out switch on the gearshift is causing the issue - switch acting as if you are in gear and therefore not allowing the car to crank over?

 

sometimes i will put it in neutral when it doesnt start. and sometimes it starts right up sometime it wont.

 

how will i know when im looking at the main ground strap under the car??

 

It's one of those braided type straps, right side, near where the engine and transmission come together.

Cheers
DD

 

once you fix all the wires and connectors properly, (no electrical tape, use heat-shrink tubing and solder), if it does it again, you might try replacing/substituting the ignition switch itself with a new one, it might be wearing out.

 

The engine/trans to body ground strap is on the lft side of the tranmission. Originaly, abraided cable. But, it may have been changed.

The neutral start interrupt seiter on the tranmission or on the shift column, alongsidethe CC interrrupt. Both are small roller type mico switchs. The one on the
transmission is different. Each completes the ground leg of the starter relay. The silver oblong can on the bulkhead.

All require clean tight connections.

When it exhbits the no crank symptom, wiggle the shifter. If that enables cranking,
something is afoot in the ground leg.Switch, wires or connectors.

While on the clean and tighten stuff. Battery cables at the battery posts and bulk head post. Don't forget the small and large cables atop the starter at the solenoid there.

Tis amazing what the Jaguar electric mantra will resolve. "Clean, tighten and lubricate". Dielectric lube only.

Good luck
Carl

 

@ jose. ignintion switch?? you mean where i put the key in and turn??
dont laugh...i just wanna be sure.
i did mess around with the wiring behind the switch over the summer. Had to soder a wire back on. could that be a possible cause?

 

doghead08: I'm not laughing or making jokes, these switches do wear out, and guess what the symptom is? -no start-

yes, where you put the key in and turn;
it's a possibility and now that you say you messed with it, it's even more likely. Substitution is the way to find out, it's a plug-n-play switch.

I do remember a Tech Article in a Jaguar Club Newsletter back in the 1990's that showed how to rebuild them, I'll see if I can find it.

 

If yours has the transmission mounted neutral/reverse light switch, here's a little tidbit on adjustment

Adjusting Backup Lamp Switch, Series III XJ6


Cheers
DD

 

over the summer i noticed a wire that was very loose. i took the back of the ignition off so i can soder it. when i took the back of it off the entire thing came apart and a ball bering popped out. it took me a day to figure out how to get it back in. but the car would start fine. since then though...when i turn key...sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesnt. IM going to drop it off at my mechanic today and let him deal with it. Ill keep you posted as to the diagnosis.

Id love to do it myself but I tend to do more damage than good when trying to fix certain things. Id say im 50-50 at fixing or damaging. not good odds.

 

I found the 2007 tech article from the Music City Jaguar Club written by a friend, Mike Mowery, on repairing Series 3 XJ ignition switches. It's a .pdf newsletter, if you want it I can e-mail it to you, just send me a pm with your e-mail.

 

Jose - You refer to the .pdf in this old post.

 

yes, I just looked at it and it does not address the spring question you have. But as with any other Lucas switch, the trick is 3 hands.