drew90xj

Hello everyone,

Searched throughout these forums and still cant figure what to do.

My 89 Renix XJ has been sitting for a few months and now it wont crank. It appears to be starter issues, but i just got a new starter 8 months ago and it showed no sign of going out when i was daily driving my xj. I also tried tapping starter and starting xj at the same time trick.

Ive jumped it and everything powers up, but no crank. Any ideas where i should look to find this issue? This XJ has been well maintained its whole life.

-89 Renix wont crank over after sitting for a few months
-newer starter
-battery appears to be good, even tried jumping multiple times
-cant find solution

My XJ for attention, plus the reason why my XJ sat

bad_idea

Won't crank after sitting for a few months? I assume it started and drove fine before you parked it?

Couple things to check:

Battery Cables - verify good connection at starter.
- verify good connection at battery. Wiggle the battery clamps, they should be tight. For grins, pull the connections apart and wire brush them real good.

Charge the battery - if it is 'Super Dead' (technical term), then it won't crank and it won't want to start even with a jump. If you don't have a good trickle charger, carry it into Auto parts store and they can charge and test it free of charge.

Verify power is being sent to starter from ignition circuit. There should be two connections to the starter, a battery cable (large) and a smaller wire on a separate post. While someone turns the key to the start position, check for voltage on the smaller wire.

Bench test starter. Pull the starter out and carry it to the auto parts store, they can bench test it free of charge.


List basically runs from easiest/most common, to PITA/less likely.

Batman33165

If the battery is good charge... you should have fuel pressure to the rail (side note)

I would check the CPS

drew90xj

tested battery, it's good. Now ill check the starter this week. Thanks.

cruiser54

Automatic?

Move the shifter back and forth between Park and neutral while turning the key to Start.

bad_idea

You skipped verifying voltage at the starter from the start circuit. Cruiser is suggesting your NSS is faulty, or out of adjustment. Definitely check these two before pulling the starter for testing.

Batman33165

yea it is automatic, he has other posts servicing the transmission

1996bluexj

check battery grounds.

drew90xj

Thanks everyone. Ended up being defective starter. Napa replaced it for free

Batman33165