My mom has a 1982 XJS she had a new starter put in and car still won't start or crank up just a clicking noise when you turn key.. The starter was put in because she was told it's the starter..sometime the car would not start and she had to get a jump, battery is good.. the starter would get stuck and they would hit starter under hood and it starter right up on the old starter. But with this new starter it wont start or crank lights and radio comes on but car will not start..any suggestions to try would be appreciated.

 

The battery contacts could be corroded, not allowing the higher amperage draw needed for the starter. Check the connections where the battery cables attach to the car (ground) and check the positive cable where it attaches to the firewall. Those are the most common places I've seen that cause this problem.

 

I have '82 and I hope you put in gear reduction starter?

Possibilities with that are wast, bad contacts on battery ^, bad connection to new starter at the right firewall terminal, or starter itself.

 

FWIW, my 1990 died on me while driving and then had the same symptoms. It was the crank speed sensors - replaced both of them. The wires were frayed and that was causing no ignition. Not sure if the '82 would have that issue, but might be worth exploring.

 

No crank sensors on an '82. The starter circuit is pretty straightforward. get the garage to check it through:

1. Could be intermittent igntion switch failure. VERY common on older cars. A new switch is available and just fits onto the back of the ignition lock parts. The garage can hotwire the plug at the back of the ignition to test if the starter is reliable without the switch part.
2. If not, there is next the starter relay going wonky, so I suggest replace anyway, then:
3. Solenoid falure on the starter (very unlikely as that is a new one), so
4. HT circuit test: battery terminals, RHS firewall terminal that the lead to the starter is joined to.

Get them to check and clean all these and it should be OK.


Greg

 

One other point I forgot. There is a microswitch on the gearlever that inhibits the starter if the car is NOT in neutral or park. If this is misaligned or faulty, it can also cause the starter to not function.

Greg

 

i had a problem like that ,and it turned to be the subframe to body ground on the lower left of the engine.

bad part is it burned out Lucas ignition amp and some others components trying to use them as a ground connection!

my cure was run a big 1 ott ground from the right side to engine block to the body as well as new grounds on left side, in other words TWO body to engine connections, car runs much better all around better than before!
fact is you can never have to much grounding, even in the trunk ,pumps, relays ,switches,etc.
many will be surprised at the results, old fashioned hot rod stuff!