Hello All,

I'm new to this forum and absolutely love my 1997 XK8 but now she won't crank!?!

She is well looked after, has full service history, 110k on the clock and has recently been serviced.

I've had a mechanic look at her but we don't seem to be getting anywhere! I've searched all over the net to try and find a solution but still no go! When I turn the key to ignition 2 all seems good (although I can't remember if the 'red light' and 'engine check light' always comes on on ignition 2?).

When all the computer check is done and I turn to ignition 3, there is a click but then nothing...totally dead!

These things have been checked:

All Fuses (except to one's blocked with the yellow stoppers)
All Relays (the starter relay works when activated manually in the engine bay)
The two big fuses in the boot (the one's that can get damaged when the spare tyre is removed)
The battery
The gear box - inhibitor switch etc
The ignition barrel
The starter motor

I'm not hugely mechanical minded so excuse me if my technical terms aren't exactly correct but I will try my best to be clear and I thank you in advance for any help given.

Waiting in anticipation with my fingers crossed :-)

Nick

 

Welcome to the forum Nick. When you have time, please visit the new member area and introduce yourself

New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

Check the ground connections particularly engine to chassis at the bellhousing, also the + to the starter. After that it could be the starter solenoid or the starter itself.
The mechanic doesn't appear to be very good, maybe you should find another one.

 

Hi Nick,
Welcome to the forum.

With all that you have checked, I would now be checking the ground points in the engine bay. Ensure you have a fully charged battery and then try again.

Hope this helps,

 

Plenty of logical checks completed, but so far, no mention of any voltages at any points. Also, the 'click' when at Ign 3; can you say what's clicking? Is it the Starter relay (hopefully!)
With a digital voltmeter, measuring to two decimal places, it would be good to know:
The voltage of the battery before and during cranking
Voltage on the White/Red wire at the starter motor when cranking
Voltage on the main, heavy lead at the sterter motor during cranking
One other thing, the security light on th J gate isn't flashing is it?
Depending on all that and the earth checks suggested above, there are other things to pursue but if you're always having to tell your mechanic what to do, it may be as also suggested time to move to an electrician!

 

Thanks all for the welcome and I've just introduced myself on the new members page. I'm excited to be here and just finding my feet in terms of navigating this site.

Next step is to check the ground points in the engine bay and the + to the starter.

Forgot to say a diagnostic test was also done and no codes showed up.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Hi Astromorg,

Thanks for your help too. Digital voltmeter tests have been done and I will find out and post the readings for the bits you mentioned.

The car is RHD and the starter relay is on the right hand side under the bonnet. The click on ign 3 sounds to be coming from behind the glove-box's area!?!

There is no security light flashing on the J-gate (to be honest, I'm not even sure where the security light is!).

I see earths got a mention again, so they are top of my check list. If that doesn't solve it, I will definitely be moving on to the electrician.

Thanks for your help

 

Take a look with eyes at the starter connections themselves. Rare, but I had mine ground out and melt the starter. If you can't see then get your hands in there and feel for any issues.

 

The clicking from behind the glove box is promising! It suggests that the Engine Cranking Control unit, (part of the Body Processor Module, behind the glove box) is responding to Ign 3. It should be switching 12v to the starter Relay and the Engine Control Unit. It's also suggesting that the key transponder module and the J Gate are behaving correctly.
Next thing to confirm is if the starter relay is clicking as well. Then back to the voltage checks mentioned earlier

 

Hi, Nicholas!
I am sorry to hear about your trouble. I experienced the similar issue couple months ago with my at the time 120k 1999 XK8. Click the link and review my original thread if so inclined:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...esolved-98382/
Bottom line, I was getting the click as well, and it turned out to be a bad starter after all. One of the solenoid post simply twisted off while unscrewing the lead ;/. Mind you, the car has hardly any rust on to make this a bit more baffling... good luck and get him back on the road shortly!
Best, Danny.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...esolved-84962/
Check this thread, it has a quick test to see if the ground strap is your issue. Good luck.

 

Many thanks to everyone for your time, help and comments.

I've compiled a list of all your suggestions and will try to work through them this week (around my day job).

Again, I can't thank you all enough for your help and rapid response and, fingers crossed, one of the points raised will solve the problem.

I will report back (hopefully with good news) as soon as I can.

Thanks again

Nick

 

Just for the fun of it check to see if your sunvisor mirror vanity lights turn on. If they do not check the fuses in the drivers side fuse box. Also check the relays in the fuse box under the hood by swapping with like relay. Doing this will re-strike the relay contacts in the fuse box but if a relay is the problem you will have moved the problem to another device. Also check the crank sensor.

I will attach a link that might help JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

I too have had this very problem. Four times in a month. Oddly after leaving the car or making checks that did not actually do anything the problem resolved itself. But it still happened again. All looked well in the battery department but on the advice of a friend I removed the negative lead on the battery. Sandpapered the connection. Put it back on nice and tight. Bingo! Back to normal. Not had any problems (touch wood) since.

 

Hello All,


Latest news:


I've just had the auto electrician round and a code came up. The code is P1260 Theft detected!?!


He said he can't help and it is now a case of contacted Jaguar...Any ideas?


Many thanks


Nick

 

Hi Nick,
Sounds like your Passive anti theft system has been triggered. Have a look at the pages below, might give you an idea.

If you check all the connectors, I would then try a hard reset to see if it clears.

Hope this helps,

 

If you go to the search function and enter 'KTM failure' you will find a lot of posts.

 

If I recall correctly the only way you can reset a security detection lockout is to take it to Jaguar.

 

Many thanks to all again for their comments. Although my poor car is not working at the moment, it is great to be part of the group.


Regarding the hard reset, can I just confirm the correct way to do it?


1. With the ignition off, disconnect the negative on the battery.
2. Turn the ignition on to ign 2 and touch the negative point on the positive point of the battery for a few seconds.
3. Turn the ignition back off and reconnect the negative on the battery.


I do have my radio security code.


Thanks


Nick

 

Hi Nick,
You can do it that way if you want, most people just disconnect the negative and touch it to the positive.
In effect, all you are doing is discharging the capacitors within the system at a faster rate than normal.

 

I love it. I can't start my car so take it to Jaguar.

I know what your saying, but it just sounds like a wifey type statement. One day it was really, really foggy and my wife said "look you cant see anything"