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starting issues

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Keef

Freshman Member
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Hey folks,

I am having a unique issue with my 92 XJ6. It's been stored for the winter. I put the battery back in a couple of months ago and she fired right up. Thinking my battery was safe I left it in and last week went to start it and it was dead. A couple of hours on the charger and she was purring again. My issues started today when I went to start the car. It fired right up but i couldn't get it out of park. I shut it off and restarted it. Again the same issue. On restarting it again i saw that the car was actually turning over when the key was turned to the "on" position and not the "start" position. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Keef
 
My first guess would be ignition switch coming apart or broken internally. Can't right now find a wiring diagram, still looking.
Dave
 
I concour with TOC on this. Not a common problem, but it does happen. AS to not getting out of park, it is probably related. There is a solonoid that is activated by the brake light switch that allows you to move the lever out of park. If the ig switch is malfunctioning, it may not be turning on that circuit. On the console next to the shifter there is a little plastic "star". You can unscrew that, and under it is a plunger that you push, and you can get it out of park. (Info is in the owners manual). Last, most XJ40s will kill the battery if they sit for a couple of weeks. They have a fairly high electrical drain on their best day.Best to use a cut off switch or disconnect the battery if it is going to sit.
 
Ignition switch meaning the cylinder in the steering column ? It was actually replaced 2 years ago due to a dealer messing up a key cut.

Keef
 
Hey Jesse, I looked for that plastic star you mentioned.........I couldn't find it.

TOC......any idea where the switch would be?

Thanks and sorry for being a pain, just sucks having a fine car stuck in the barn...........lol

Keef
 
Usually right behind it. Most you can change the switch or the lock, or both.
If the plastic doomfrackie is broken, the contactor will not move in relation to the contacts at the same degree of rotation as the key....and your battery will go dead overnight (key on), and it will start in run position.
 
Hey guys,

I replaced the ignition switch and the same problem exists. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Keef
 
You mean it still starts in the run position and drains the battery overnight?
 
Regardinmg getting it out of Park. With the battery charged, key on, see if the brake lights work when you step on the brakes. If no brake lights, then it is likely that the switch by the pedal has failed, and then the blocking solonoid will not activate. My 93 has the star, maybe 92s didn't. If that is the case, you will have to remove the ashtray section to access the wingnuts underneath to remove the "ski slope" to get to the interlock mechanism. If all is working, when in P you should hear a distinct click every time you step on the brakes. I will dig out a diagram later. Please report back exactly what the whole car is doing...
 
Hey Jesse,

Along with a buddy, we figured out that we had to remove the starter relay after the engine was started to get the starter to disengage. Hopefully it just needs a new relay. My other new issue is that the gear shift seems to have been bent a tad. Probably from me trying to get it out of park. It goes into the formal shop next week. Hopefully my bill won't cost more than the gas I intend to burn for the rest of the year....................lol

Thanks,
Keef
 
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