Recently bought a 1988 Jaguar XJS that would not crank when attempting to start. I have now got it to crank by using a jumper wire from the ground blade, where the black/white wire goes on the starter relay, to the ground anywhere on the car. I have also used a jumper wire to test if it was the inhibit switch causing this by connecting it to the black/green wire on the inhibit switch to the ground blade on the starter relay and it cranked there as well. I wanted to try and start it so just opted by rigging my own ground wire to the starter relay so I would be able to start it with the key. The car had spark when using starter fluid, but would not actually start, it was very close. Could this be an issue with the neutral switch or the fuel pump? I am thinking it is not pumping gas through because it got a spark but no ignition.

Also tried testing the neutral switch by using a jumper wire from there to the ground blade on the starter relay which worked to crank the car. Previously it would only crank in park or neutral which is good but it is now starting in every gear.

 

Cmarcott,

You need to think of this as 3 separate electrical elements - the fuel pump, the ignition circuit, and the starter motor. They are inter-connected, but may have different reasons as to why they are not working. The electrical circuit diagram is your bible.

Start by checking the fuel pump. It should run for 2 seconds when you turn on the ignition. If it doesn't work, sort that first.

Good luck

Paul

 

Agree with Paul.

AND

Read the sticky at the top, No Start........
It is NOT a step by step, or a Bible, but slow and steady, and common sense, away it will go.

As I have said too many times, these are NOT complicated cars. That scenario belongs to the carer, ha.