Hey all,

I recently jumped in my XJ and Noticed it would take few more cranks than normal to start up. I prime the fuel pump/rail most of the time, when starting up. I have a 1 year old battery, 6 month old alternator, 1 yr old CPS, 2yr old TPS. 2 days ago I cleaned the battery terminals & connectors, wire ends, cleaned the ground on passenger side, cleaned the ground wires on the block, cleaned the starter wires and connectors. Now on start up I hear a click, all the lights work and all the lights work with no dimming. She still acts like the battery is going dead. HOWEVER, I noticed whenever I smack the Starter with a Hammer, she fires right up. Sometimes slowly and sometimes normal. Does this sound like the starter is going belly up? Maybe I should replace my battery cables first??

 

Well how do your battery cables look? Any sort of corrosion on them? But yeah if you're tapping the starter with a hammer, sounds to me like you need a new starter. First though check the connections for the starter and have a look at those battery cables. If they look junky, replace them. Shouldn't be too much doe. Then if that doesn't help have a look at your starter

 

Yep, I cleaned the connectors, terminals and wire ends. They sparkle like Magic... I did notice my solenoid has a lose connection, like it's about to break, if you handle it improperly.

 

Hmm yeah I'd see about getting a new starter

 

took the starter out to get tested. It's dead. Problem solved. Cheers!!

 

Awesome glad I could help