Jaguar Repair: 86 XJS V12 Wont turn over, xjs v12, starter solenoid

Question
QUESTION: I have recently purchased an 86 XJS V12.
The starter is not operating.
I do hear a clicking sound coming from the starter relay.
This car has been sitting for about 3 years.
I do not know if it is normal for the starter relay to be making a click sound when the key is turned or if I need to pull the starter out and have it checked?

ANSWER: No Buck, it's not normal. But you do need to determine if it is the relay clicking or the starter solenoid making the noise.

If you hear a loud rhythmic clicking, it is probably the solenoid and is a common sound when the battery is not up all the way or you have a bad connection in a battery cable (positive or ground cable)

First confirm that the battery is fully charged or connect a extra jumper battery up to the car battery. Next remove the large 12ga white w/red tracer wire off of the starter relay.  (pin number "C-1")(the relay is in the far right back corner of the engine compartment)and touch it to the right power terminal post on the firewall. If you still get the clicking, it is the solenoid making the noise not the relay as that bypasses the relay. If this is the case you need to try to rotate the engine to be sure the engine is not locked up. Then check all grounds from the battery to the frame and from engine to body /frame. Then check the battery to the right and left power posts on the fire wall and to the starter solenoid and the battery condition.
Let me know,
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard I have followed your instructions and when I put power to the white wire with the red tracer the Solenoid clicks only one time.
I did check to make sure the engine is not locked up.
I could not find any power posts on the firewall to check.
I did check that the engine has ground and it does.
The battery is new and I put a jumper battery to it.
I guess the next step would be to remove the starter?
Do I need to take off all of the exhaust to get to the starter?

Answer
You should check the solenoid first. Just because it made a "Click" does not mean it connected the battery cable to the starter motor. And when it made the click was there 12v on the solenoid post when it clicked? You don't have enough evidence to replace the starter yet.
Howard