1996 XJ Sport not cranking

[DavidEm]

Hi Guys,
I need some help please. Battery 100% charged and healthy. Turn on ignition, after a few seconds all lights go out with just Engine Check illuminated. Try to start... nothing, except quite a loud 'clank', rather than a 'click', and engine fails to crank. Is this a symptom of a dud starter motor or something more diverse?
Thanks for your help.
David

[mike020150]

Oddball symptoms! Despite saying the battery is OK, I'd recommend substituting it temporarily with another before delving deeper and checking for broken earth wires/duff starter etc. The battery would be the most likely and easiest to correct culprit. Mike.

[DavidEm]

Thanks Mike, as you suggested it was indeed the battery. It would happily take a charge to 100% with no problem, but quickly drained away to 9.4 volts when turning on the ignition, i.e. with just the cooling fans running. Never seen that before. New battery... sorted!

[Andy P]

Strange things do happen,just to catch us out sometimes .
Glad you got it sorted.
Take care.
Andy.