I have a 1982 Xj6 that won't start, it sat for I'm told 14 years. It's not sparking it seems, and I'm no Machanic.

ok, why not correct your first post
edit to
1: will not crank starter is silent
2: or cranks fast but will not start.

you cant get to 2 unless #1 works,
check fuses first.
key on CEL glows, if not ECU has no power. 12vdc.
when you crank
the ECU closes the ASD relay
if the relay drops out in the middle of cranking
that means the ECU did that ON PURPOSE
and always tells you why, but that takes a scan too.
why not let your mech do that,
you dont have tools so, its hopeless , for sure.
I bet.

IF the ASD does not drop OUT
then it's what?
total loss of spark (a bad spark coil ?)
or total loss of fuel pressure.

if sparks ok (a simple test done for 100 years)
endless examples, and in all car books.
if sparks ok
then a test fuel test runs engine for 2 sec. about, telling you lost fueling
and then I post a wall of text on fueling (yah complex. and not doing it)

try quick start straight into air intake or air filter housing while turning over <if it fires up for a few seconds its a fueling problem ,if not more than likely a spark related problem

the fastest way would be to get timing light from auto zone

I wish I could give you an instant fix, but I can't. Do you have spark? If so then its either your fuel pump or the CPS, crank position sensor. If no spark then it could be your coil.

If the engine is turning, but slow, she may need the battery terminals cleaned, if it has sat for over a year, yes, it may need a new battery. If the engine is turning over and she is not cranking up. Standard rules apply... does she have fuel? does she have spark, does she have compression? First thing is easy, get a can of starting fluid and give her a spray in the air filter area during cranking, if she pops off you have spark, which means no fuel. If it does not try to hit, that means no spark and more trouble shooting will need to be done. If it starts on starting fluid, you may have a bad fuel pump. AS gas turns to gunk as it dries up. And that may have gummed up the pump and filter. Hope this helps FixYa up.

hi i was just wondering , if you change the gas which can turn to water, and rust . also by cleaning the gas tank check the fuel filter too, thanks

I have had simmilar, is the fuel pump delivering fuel?
Is the fuel filter clean?
Are you getting a good spark on all of the plugs?
Have you got good cyl compression?

Possibile ignition control module problem Check for spark when problem occurs No spark.. Follow wires from distributor to icm box. Open box and you will find a gerneral motors ignition module. Remove module and have tested at local parts store. Replace if bad. Jaguar wants over $300.00 for IGNITION AMPLIFIER UNIT. You should get gm module for under 50 bucks.

Is the car immobilized? if so you may have to lock and unlock the car with the key and not the remote.

Is it turning over or just nothing, also starter motor may be jammed. put the car in gear with the hand brake off and push the car forward until you feel the engine turn over. You dont need the keys in the car!

This should free the starter off, sometimes they jam very tight and will not move at all, on these jags. they get rusty quickly if sat about. I had a XJ many years ago great motors.

Good luck.

Not sure if it would be the same problem, but I had a 1986 xj6 that was acting up a few years ago, and it turned out to be that the fuel injectors where not working right. On mine, there was a box in the lower right front the was like a control box for the injectors, and the circuit board started to corrode and make intermittent problems with starting and running. Sorry I could not be more detailed... Good luck.