Wanting to change the steering wheel (from all leather to half-wood) on my year 2000 S Type. I assume, because of the various electrics and airbag etc. I would need to disconnect the battery before attempting.
My question is; By disconnecting the battery, what will I lose (radio code aside), and what harm can be done to the electronic systems..??

 

Because of the airbag you definitely need to disconnect the battery. The steering wheel removal procedure is:

S-Type 2000 - Steering Wheel.pdf

Radio security code and pre-sets will be lost. The fuel trims will go back to default settings. Not a problem as they will adapt again as you drive.

Graham

 

Thanks a million Graham. The PDF is excellent. Just one thing - it states; Disconnect the battery GROUND cable. BUT should I disconnect both?
Thanks again, Geoff H

 

Geoff,

You can safely only disconnect the ground cable.

I'm always super cautious when working directly with airbags and leave it around twenty minutes after disconnecting the battery for the capacitors to discharge.

Graham

 

I'll do that Graham..... patience is a virtue I've mastered..!!! If I can just be a nuisance one more time; Looking at the diagram, the retaining bolt does not appear to be hexagonal, but rather having one of them fancy star-like centres. Any idea on size etc. so I can go and purchase ... BEFORE removing the airbag..!!!
Geoff H.

 

Geoff,

You've got me on that one - sorry but I don't know.

I can see from the Parts Manual that there's two different sizes of steering wheel fixing bolt so you're going to have to take the airbag off first to check the size that's used on yours.

The diagram shows the four horn push switch bolts could also be smaller size torx fixings.

Graham

 

Don't know about over there, but the "star" (torx) bits were cheap at Asda for a whole set.

Expect a bit uneven idle as it relearns. Perfectly normal. Let it idle a few mins so it can learn.

There's a radio code bypass if you need it.

 

Thanks JagV8.
I have the radio code so that'll not be a problem. As I only have the one car at my disposal at the moment, I'm in a catch 22 situation. If I remove the airbag to look at the size of the torx bolt, I wont have transport to drive into town (living in the sticks!!). I'll check out my local Asda (only 15 mile away) and see if available; local motor-shop want to charge a fortune for a set...!!!!

 

I just had a replacement fuel pump installed in my 04 XK8 and the battery was ,of course, removed. Every thing is working well now except my radio which now shows CODE. I inserted the code for my unit as is required and the radio now shows ,PLEASE WAIT,That was since yesterday and the 'please wait' still shows. Am I supposed to do something else ? The Radio Manual does not give any further information.

 

At least it would help to know which car model, etc incl radio type!

 

Fermanaghman,

I have the exact same vehicle and have been through almost everything in the past 6 months. You will lose your Radio Code.

I would DEFINITELY remove the Instrument Cluster and check for "cold-solders" - I went ahead and saved £1500 + vat doing this alone when LED-pack failed. The "lower elbow hose" is worth replacing if you're a competent DIY'er...

I have d/c the battery many times, including d/connection of the PCM plugs to remove transmission harness and can tell you i've had no issues. Just take caution pulling plugs left, right and centre and remember the car must relearn certain shift-schedules when reconnecting...

Will keep and eye on your posts to come if I can help.

 

Stan, after you input the radio code the radio should start working almost instantly.

 

Stan,

The PLEASE WAIT message appears after entering an incorrect code.

If it's the same as the XJ and XJ models, the radio has to be powered on for one hour after this message appears before you can try entering the code again.

You code should be a sequence of four numbers. This is the code card from my XK8:



It also shows the radio serial number. This is not the one to enter and it doesn't appear to relate to the security code in any way.

Graham

 

I believe the steering wheel nut is a torx T40 or T45 or posibly T50

The torx screws for the horn are T15 I believe.

When loosening the smaller torx screws on the horn assembly - loosen them carefully - DO NOT loosen them all togteher - you will loose the springs and they are a PITA to reinstall.

Make sure you remove the horn assembly (with screws in place) before attempting to loosen the steering wheel nut.

 

I just recently received a 1989 XJS from my uncle. I had the car shipped to my home in Michigan. The battery was removed prior to the shipping to charge it and the radio is locked out. I turn it on and "CODE" comes up. I enter the 5 digit code from the card and a beep is heard but nothing happens. Am I doing something wrong here? I have the key in #1 position and am waiting an hour. Read somewhere that this would unlock the system if you enter the wrong code three times. Any help would be appreciated.

 

You're in the wrong forum! This is S-Type (1999-2008). Utterly different electronics.

 

Re radios on the pre facelift cars, they are basically a ford unit, the are code generators available online to work out your code from the serial number, they work, I have used one successful twice.

 

After d/c battery I put in wrong radio code (right code - wrong car) all it says is Please wait for two hours do I need to go to the dealer for reset

 

Something is wrong - USA cars don't need a code if installed right.

 

I found a man who used to work for Jag has his own shop he plug his computer in 3 sec later was able to put in code working fine
JagV8 most all high end cars have security codes to help stop thief