[xj] Kickdown switch wires fried

XJ
1

I have been having some problems with my 1972 XJ6 4.2. If I would
run the car and then turn it off it would have the hardest time
starting back up. The time it was running didn’t seem to matter,
it could be 10 min or 1 hour. I just replaced the alternator
relay, horn relay, ballast resistor, coil, and voltage regulator.
Nothing really changed. Finally after I was moving to something
else (non working front windows) I discovered that the wires that
come into and out of the kickdown/starter inhibitor switch were
fried. The wire that plugs into the distributor was also fried. I
traced them down and replaced them and the car starts great now.

However I am still confused, Did all this solve the problem or
should I replace the kickdown/starter inhibitor switch? something
else? My transmission is also shifting very hard, would this be
part of the problem? I don’t know what caused the wires to melt in
the first place so I think it might happen again. I wanted to post
these topics separate but now I think they might be part of the
same problem. If anyone can help me on any of these topics it
would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Amador Quintana–
amadorq3
Aurora, Colorado, United States
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2

In reply to a message from amadorq3 sent Tue 5 Apr 2005:

When you say shifts hard, is that in harsh or does it shift late as
well?

Also, the kickdown switch and the inhibitor switch are two separate
and different switches.

The inhibitor switch is what prevents your car from starting in any
gear other than park and neutral.

The kickdown switch controls the wide open downshift/upshift
function.

You also have a vacuum line to a modulator on the trans.

All three of these components must be in proper working order for
your trans to operate properly.

The switch that you encountered down by the shifter is the
inhibitor switch…the kickdown switch is a micro-switch located
on the throttle cable where it bolts to the bracket near the carbs.

I have a passable picture that shows it I can upload if you need it.

There also needs to be manifold vacuum to the modulator on the
trans.

The modulator sits down on the trans and you should follow the line
up to the manifold.

It’s also possible with harsh shifting that the fluid is old and
the trans should be serviced…but if this just started since
your electrical problem, I’d look for a switch or vacuum hose
problem.

Hope this helps…–
Jeb Boyd, Jaguar Enthusiast and Mechanic
Pennsylvania, United States
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The archives and FAQ will answer many queries on the XJ series…
FAQs: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/index.html
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3

In reply to a message from LBC Nut sent Tue 5 Apr 2005:

LBC Nut, thanks for your reply. To answer your question, it feels
like it does both(harsh and late), last time I had it on the
highway it didn’t shift past second. I did try to adjust the
modulator but didn’t feel a difference. On the kickdown switch
there are two leads right? are both of these supposed to have wires
coming out of them? I found a connector on my transmission that
according to the manual, has something to do with the kickdown.
Anyway, these didn’t have any wire connecting the two. Should they
be connected?
I have only had the car for six months and I am finding some wires
here and there that are just hanging. Before parking the car for
the winter I only drove it for about a month so I don’t know how
long it has had this problem.–
The original message included these comments:

When you say shifts hard, is that in harsh or does it shift late as
inhibitor switch…the kickdown switch is a micro-switch located
on the throttle cable where it bolts to the bracket near the carbs.

–
amadorq3
Aurora, Colorado, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –

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The archives and FAQ will answer many queries on the XJ series…
FAQs: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/index.html
Archives: Jag-lovers Forums - Jag-lovers

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