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Help !! 1997 XK8 in garage for months. Put in new battery. Won't start. Just loud clicks when key turned. Clicks are about 1-second apart. Any suggestions please?
The critical measure is voltage sag while attempting to crank the engine. Even a battery charged to 12.6 volts can't turn a starter motor if, for some reason, the voltage sags too far or the current at the starter is too low.
It is also quite possible that the starter has failed, or the starter gear has jammed against the flywheel due to low delivered current. Sometimes tapping on the starter with a hammer or long socket extension may free a stuck gear, just take care not to tap near the electrical connections.
Corrosion on the various battery power and ground connections can significantly reduce the voltage/current at the starter. Since the vehicle sat for months, corrosion is a very likely problem. You could start by disconnecting the battery cables and cleaning the terminals, the battery negative cable connection to the body, the connections at the high-power protection module, the connection at the false bulkhead, the connections at the starter and alternator, and the engine ground strap (both ends). A brass-bristle wire brush and zero-residue electronic contact cleaner spray work well. Do not use sandpaper or it will leave scratches that promote future corrosion.
The starter relay is another suspect, but usually when it fails you won't get a clicking sound. But it's worth testing the relay or swapping it with a similar relay from a non-critical circuit just to rule it out. This diagram shows the location of the starter relay on the right inner fender:
Use a voltmeter to read the battery voltage across the terminals with the ignition in the OFF position. There must be a minimum of 12.6 volts available for the vehicle to function normally.
Good place to start with battery and connections reawakening a slumbering cat. A new battery should have a good charge and clean terminals, but don't assume. You're in good hands with NBCat.
The critical measure is voltage sag while attempting to crank the engine. Even a battery charged to 12.6 volts can't turn a starter motor if, for some reason, the voltage sags too far or the current at the starter is too low.
It is also quite possible that the starter has failed, or the starter gear has jammed against the flywheel due to low delivered current. Sometimes tapping on the starter with a hammer or long socket extension may free a stuck gear, just take care not to tap near the electrical connections.
Corrosion on the various battery power and ground connections can significantly reduce the voltage/current at the starter. Since the vehicle sat for months, corrosion is a very likely problem. You could start by disconnecting the battery cables and cleaning the terminals, the battery negative cable connection to the body, the connections at the high-power protection module, the connection at the false bulkhead, the connections at the starter and alternator, and the engine ground strap (both ends). A brass-bristle wire brush and zero-residue electronic contact cleaner spray work well. Do not use sandpaper or it will leave scratches that promote future corrosion.
The starter relay is another suspect, but usually when it fails you won't get a clicking sound. But it's worth testing the relay or swapping it with a similar relay from a non-critical circuit just to rule it out. This diagram shows the location of the starter relay on the right inner fender:
Won't Start, Just Clicks
Long time no see..
