'83 XJS not driven in some time; turned over engine a few times with good strong battery. Tried turning over again and starter now stays engaged (car will not start either). Had to pull ground off batter to stop car attempting to turn over (battery quickly wore down) Hoping it is NOT the starter/solenoid since that removal looks atrocious. Any ideas / quick confirmations or checks that can be made?
Thanks!
Matt

 

Disconnect the start wire (the small one) on the starter solenoid and see if it does the same. If it does it's your starter/solenoid, if not it's either the ignition switch or a relay. May just be a dirty/ rusty solenoid, hopefully. Try a good sharp tap, might just free it. Then take it apart, clean and lubricate it.

You can also check for 12v on the lead, should go on and off with the igntion switch when turned to start position and back.

 

Thanks for the specific advice...will try asap. Noticed that the ignition key felt a little 'funny' when I turned it back from start before...now need to figure out how to get to the starter. Looks like lifting the car and going in from the passenger side low is the key. Hopefully one doesn't have to pull off the passenger exhaust manifold to have access to the started solenoid. Will report back. Thanks

 

anytime i have starter trouble, i like to hit it with a hammer.

 

Had the same problem when I swapped out the relay. Replaced it with an original. Problem solved.

 

The relay was the problem--a 22RU Lucas. Car turned over fine ~10 times with this new relay then did the same thing--I think I blew another relay. Is there a heavy duty version out there? Blowing $70 relays regularly is a bit expensive. Never did get the car started except for using ether--then it ran very rough. I'm going to try taking the ignition rack off and have someone flush it out--

 

Invest in gear reduction starter and it will be best money spent. Replacing that awful hunk of iron is not as hard as it seems at first.