I recently purchased a 1984 XJS based only on pictures (I'm in Afghanistan). When it was delivered my wife says the rear hatch will not stay closed. Is there some trick to this?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Allan Collins

 

Firstly, welcome to teh Forum.

When time permits please do an Intro in the "New Members Area".

The catch on these is a steel "hoop" and is fastened to teh body of the car using a "bolt and saddle clamp" fiasco.

That hoop can slide within that clamp, for adjustment obviously, but, it also can slide of its own free will, and the lock section in the lid of the boot cannot grasp it to secure the lid.

Slamming the boot lid makes no difference, and is also very Un-Jaguar.

Look dead centre at the lip of boot and you will see that hoop, and the 1 or some have 2 bolts securing that hoop to the body. Slacken the bolts, if they are not already slack, and slide the hoop upwards a SMALL amount, and retighten the bolt/s, try the closing. It is a trial and error adjustment.

Good luck.

 

Further to Grant's points, the boot (hatch) should be closed by pushing it down to the nearly closed position, then gently but firmly leaning on the centre rear until the latch clicks. Slamming it like a modern boot will not shut it.

As Grant said, if the above procedure does not click it shut, loosen the hoop bolts a touch, raise the hoop a few mm and retry.
Welcome to the forum too.
Greg