Hey all! I've had some issues with a 1988 V12 starting. It doesn't start bad or anything but, the last turn of the key just... *click*. Doesn't lose power. It just doesn't try. I'm hoping someone has some advice on cleaning maybe the starter terminals, before I go through the headache of replacing the whole thing. I'd much rather try the simple/cheap solution before I try something drastic.

 

I had a click-no-start on my X305 that went from intermittent to debilitating. I had cleaned the heavy positive ring terminal at the starter with a wire brush and that didn't permanently fix it. The stud at the firewall would slightly dim but still illuminate a test light during crank, so I assumed the starter or its solenoid contacts were bad. I removed the starter and got it rebuilt even though the shop tested is as perfectly functional on the bench. It was only when I went to reinstall the freshly overhauled unit that I took a couple long minutes with sandpaper and got the terminal down to shiny metal. I had to abrade through quite some crust.

TL;DR: I'd try cleaning the ring terminal at the starter aggressively with sandpaper or even a file.

 

I also had a starting situation where I would only get a "click" when trying to start (1987 XJS). It turned out to be a faulty switch at the gear lever, which prevents starting the car unless it is in neutral or park. Bypassing the switch solved the problem.

 

Starter relay. It’s a common problem. Luckily it’s easy to get to, on the inside of the right fender, near the rear. Kirby Palm’s book has a description of how to clean it, or how to replace it with a Chrysler part. I did the latter and it has been very reliable ever since.

 

If it's a heavy click from the solenoid, obviously the relay and switch are okay.

 

Hey that sounds awesome thanks for the tip!

 

This may have something to do it my starting issues. Can't tell in this photo but it's a mangled plug on the passenger side under the front fender. There are three slots, the top one is fine, the second one is this one, and there's a third one that's unused it looks.