Please help!! Problem with 1997 Jag XJ6

[Smiler]

Can you hear the solenoid on the starter clicking?

Does the fuel pump run to prime the system? (not all cars do this)

If the answer is no to the above it may be an immobiliser issue or the system might not be seeing enough voltage to engage the starting system (some cars are clever enough to do this).

When trying to jump-start are you connecting straight to both the dead battery terminals or are you putting the negative lead to an earth pint on the engine block? If going direct to both battery terminals the dead battery can act like a sponge/resistor soaking up much of the supplied power from the jump source. This could reduce the voltage seen by the starting system by enough to make it refuse to play.

I'm not overly familiar with these Jags so these are just general ideas.

Smiler.

[ChasR]

This issue could be as simple as the solenoid wire becoming detached for whatever reasons (lazy mechanics in the past, age, a duff relay etc.). I would try that first on a fully charged battery before attempting to change other parts.

[althebass]

Another thing to check could be the inhibitor switch on the gearbox - the car maybe thinks it's not in park/neutral.
Either that or hit the starter motor with a hammer or something :-)

[Smiler]

That's a good call, try easing the gear selector forward and backwards whilst trying to turn the engine over.

[shab]

I've had a very good mobile mechanic check it over and he's suggesting the starter. Thanks for the help guys

[optimusprime2]

Iff its clicking , 1 - your battery is flat . Try to start it with head lights on and see if the lights go out if they do baterry is dead. 2 - selenoid faulty in startermotor . 3 Started motor wants replacing . Nothing to do with inhibitor switch it wont stop the engine from turning over.As it will turn over in all possitions