I just took possession ofa 1985 XJ-S. Purchased it as a new project and currently it is not running. I noticed that when the key goes into the ignition, it turns and doesnt have the 'spring back' action that most cars have when the starter engages. needless to say the starter doesnt engage at all and im thinking the ignition itself is defective. is there a way to test this and wire around it, hook a new battery up and see if the car turns over?

Thank you

Jeff

 

Hey Gonzo,

Back behind the transmission dipstick, look for a single white/ red wire with a male and female spade connection to the harness. This is the feed to the starter solenoid, if you hotwire it the engine will crank (provided the starter is good and you have 12v). On the firewall in the same location, there is a positive battery cable stud under a black rubber boot. That's where you can run jumper leads from.

 

wondeful thank you very much. on a different note, this vehicle hasnt been started in quite some time. i havent seen it move in the 2 years ive been in the area. now that doesnt mean he hasnt started it, but with a messed up ignition i doubt he has. should i pull the plugs and drop oil down there and let it sit over night?

thank you

Jeff

 

Always a good idea....but easier said than done.

 

ok everything i am seeing seems to revolve around the ignition switch. i get no radio, no power windows, no sunroof, no door chimes... nothing even with the key is turned all the way around. im assuming this stuff only works when the ignition is turned to at least position 1 or 2. i checked and when the headlights are turned on, guages start to glow which means at least part of the car is getting power, and the headlight switches workwhen there is no key in the ignition, which all cars should do.. so that works. any idea where the main fuse box is for car? thank you so much for your help

Jeff

 

The electrical portion of the ignition switch is bad, it is retained indise the column lock assembly with 1 tiny phillips screw in the side. The spring is inside it, so that's what you need. Unplug the harness to it, jump brown to white and you should have ignition. White/ pink, it memory serves, is power to all ignition I accessories... and white/ red is feed to starter relay. That's the best I can do without pulling out a diagram, which you can probably find online. Private me if you need a switch.

 

ok so if i short brown to white, i should in theory get the fans, windows... all that fun stuff. if i short white to red it should kick the starter in and try to turn the car over...


Jeff

 

ok i just found one of these hanging down next to the steering wheel and when turned it does turn on all the accessories and when turned all the way it does try to turn the motor.... but its notturning fast enough yet to start. thats a step into the right direction

Jeff

 

That's the electrical portion of the ignition switch/ column lock assembly. You're a real slueth.

 

lol wasnt sure when readig that if you were laighing me or not. either way, it doesnt look like a big deal to attach it to the back of the lock cylinder but it just got dark here and had to give up for the night so i will try to get it installed tomorrow and hopefully get the thing started. i think its going to take a new battery saying it wont jump start.

 

ive been taking things apart in an attempt to install the ignition switch into the back of the lock cylinder. i see the small screw you were referring to, but getting a screw driver, even a very small one in there to turn it is proving to be very difficult. i looked and there looks to be just 3 8mm bolts that hold the lock clinder to the side of the steering colum. is this what most people losen to drop the assembly down to get to the screw?