Got in the XJ today and turned the key and all i got was: tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick. Kinda like a kitchen timer. Battery tested good. Any ideas?

 

Could be your alternator or your coil maybe I've had it happen I just wiggle the **** out of my cables and she fires up but it could be those or some other things

 

Smack the starter with a hammer.

You got the tick, but it doesnt crank.

try to see if you are getting battery voltage at the solenoid terminal, signal wire, your starting circuit is working properly. With a bad NSS you would not get power to the signal wire.

 

thanks.. im thinkin solenoid issue... will check after work today

 

Explain "battery tested good". Did you measure about 12 volts at the posts? That's only a crude check - but it doesn't say much for the battery's "State Of Health" or t he status of the connections...

Have you a charger or booster-pack? Can you jump start it?

Check for adequate tightness, disconnect and/or clean-and-lube the terminals. A good and clean mechanical connection is a good electrical connection.

 

After some further "googling" it appears that the solenoid is the issue, thanks guys.

From WIKI:

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking or clacking sound. The lack of power can be caused by a low or dead battery, by corroded or loose connections in the battery cable, or by a damaged positive (red) cable from the battery. Any of these problems will result in some, but not enough, power being sent to the solenoid, which means that the solenoid will simply make a clicking sound, rather than setting the starter motor in motion.

 

Cherryokee - i got 14.6 at the terminals and replaced the post connection and brushed down the posts last week.

What i didnt check was the connection at the solenoid, which i will after work today - i bet thats the fix. thanks