Engine will not start

[rjhemming873]

I have a 2003 XK8 with 60,000 miles on the clock. I have gone out to the car this morning and although the battery is newish and showing a full charge the car would not start. The ignition lights come on, it did the system checks, the memory on the steering wheel was working, radio works but the engine would not turn over. Could the severe cold be a factor?
Any advice would be very gratefully received .

I have since managed to start the car by putting it in neutral as opposed to park, it then would not go into drive so no forward motion but would go into reverse. Once warmed up drive started working. I am wondering if the cold weather effected the solenoids??? The car had been parked outside unused for two weeks in the freezing weather and their was a lot of moisture inside.

[andypryce]

Probably correct, even though battery is good, after 2 weeks standing in cold weather it will reduce the efficiency. Try and take it for a good run and see how it goes.

[mike020150]

This problem sounds suspiciously like one involving the gearchange linear switch or the lever mechanism. If so, the especially cold weather could conceivably have had an effect by moving matters a tiny bit more out of alignment. A clue might be found in the operation of the lights indicating the gear positions. If any of them fails to illuminate when the lever is moved position to position, either there is wear/damage in the gear lever unit or the linear switch probably needs to be realigned. Mike.

[rjhemming873]

Hi Both Andy and Mike, Very grateful for your posts and info. I will both take the car for a run and also look into the illumination lights situation on the gear selector. I will post results in case it is of any help to other members.
Thanks again
Richard

[rjhemming873]

Update on my non starting XK8. I have checked the light indicators on the J Gate and what you say is right. When the car will not start only the neutral and reverse lamps light up. None of the other lights on the J gate work. The car will only move in reverse. Today I warmed the car up to normal operation temperature by starting it in neutral and eventually managed to get the car to work in drive by moving the gear lever in and out of reverse and back an forth to the manual side of the selector. When all were working all the selector lights were working. Can anyone give me any further help with regard to possible causes. Do you think that I could effect a repair/adjustment to the linear switch, I do have a lot of experience in the distant past working on car mechanics.
Again any advice would be very gratefully received
All the best
Richard

[mike020150]

If you are willing to take matters to the next stage yourself, first remove the centre console. This will expose the linear switch (the transmission control switch) looped around the cable attached to the end of the gear lever mechanism. The switch is held by four screws. Adjustment backwards and forwards is achieved by loosening the screws and moving the switch. Turn the ignition on and place the gear lever in reverse. Then, make any adjustment necessary to illuminate the R on the gate. Tighten the screws and check that each gear position illuminates correctly. if you have wear/damage in the gear lever mechanism, it may not be possible to achieve the correct alignment of the switch. Similarly, it won't correct a defective linear switch. In these instances, you will have to replace the defective components before resetting the switch alignment. Hopefully, these suggestions will give you some clues on how to proceed. Mike.

[rjhemming873]

Many thanks Mike, I really appreciate your help and advice. I will have a go at doing this myself as I want to do as much as I can as opposed to just sending the car to a garage. The reason for having a car like this was always to look after it myself and cherish it. I will update you once I have had a go.
I see you have a Daimler 66 Coupe, I am very envious, I once owned one myself in the early 70,s, mine was a Vanden Plas of which I believe only 400 or so were made.
All the best
Richard

[mike020150]

Hi Richard,
Good luck with the task. If it is just a matter of adjustment, I'm sure it will prove satisfying to get it right again. I have maintained my V12 coupe myself for 42 years so I have enjoyed that feeling as well as enduring plenty of skinned knuckles and bad language! Mike.

[rjhemming873]

Hello Mike, I have done as you suggested and removed the center console and have found that by adjusting the cable adjusters a little I can solve the problem of gear selection but I still have an intermittent fault with starting in Park. Sometimes when in park with the ignition on by moving the gear lever sideways a small amount the light comes on and off. With the light on the car starts but not when its off. Do you think that this might be that it is still not adjusted correctly on the cable or perhaps on the linear switch position which as yet I have not moved? Again I really appreciate your help and advice
Regards
Richard

[mike020150]

Hi Richard,
It sounds as if you have successfully narrowed down the options for the problem which could be either the adjustment or the switch. It's worth persevering with adjustment first, as long as the rest of the gear lever mechanism isn't showing signs of excessive wear beyond the range of adjustment available. Mike.

[rjhemming873]

Hi Mike We seem to be successful in as much that now the engine starts in Park and selects all gears with the lights working.
Once again thanks for your guidance, now I need to do something about my wheels, the previous owner seems to have kerbed the rear nearside wheel so that's the next job.
Thanks again
Richard