The hood always seemed to need a bit of convincing, but now it won't latch shut on the left and right sides. The center latch, the least important - is functioning properly.

I've tried a screwdriver to loosen the spring of either side,I've added WD40 lubricant, I've tried playing with the cord via the latch handle / bonnet release latch inside the car - all to no avail.

I've tried to adjust the left and right rubber stopper/posts heights and also tried to adjust the upper hood brackets. Nothing solves it....

With the great challenges there are designing a car, it is absolutely stunning that this minor but important detail is so poorly designed.

If anyone has any ideas, please help - otherwise I think I need to dismantle the entire front end, replace both the left and right latches and the cable. Its a big job. What a g*dd*mn joke!!!!



(I have one locking right now, but am worried about highway/speedway/freeway travel.)

 

Can you diagnose the problem? Is the latch mechanism not working or is the latch not going far enough into the mechanism? Two very different issues. Take a small metal bar/loop, insert into each mechanism and see if it latches. If so, then it's a physical fit issue. If not then it's a latch mechanism issue

Not sure you can blame jag for that one. 10 year old car and you are bound to start to get some issues...

 

I guess I should note that this latch has been problematic for 5 years, so as a fellow engineer, this would not be my proudest moment.

I appreciate your logical approach into narrowing down what the issue is. And you are correct - it is a mechanism issue.

I pulled the cable back and forth multiple times while spraying a sludge-removing/gumout type of spray. While one side is latched the other is not. Because of this I cannot lock the door!!!

I guess I could remove the latches and cable and replace them but this is an extremely labor-intensive job. I'm annoyed because I've owned piece of crap trucks for 20 years like Ford's and Dodge's and I have never experienced a failure on a hood latch such as this one. I love the car but I cannot understate how frustrated I am with this issue

Thank you again for your input and sound problem solving skills!

 

Most likely the cable itself. Should be replaceable as a diy project

In the meantime there is a small micro switch on one of the latches - if you close / short across that then the central locking will think the hood is closed and allow you to lock the rest of the car!

 

I have to figure the shorting out. Today, I got both latches to engage. I almost cried, but I was taught not to cry 50 years ago - even tears of joy are prohibited.

But guess what? I still can't lock the car and it's still giving a warning that the bonnet is open! Wtf?!?!?


This car is in need of a good mechanic/psychiatrist!

Thanks for the idea to short it. I'll try that as a next step when I run out of patience seeing the warning.

Thanks again

 

As a fellow engineer, I have to agree. In my case w/ a '96 XJS... the hood latch also has issues. I suspect someone along the way, maybe multiple individuals, thought they could drop / slam the hood similar to just about every other car w/out problem. Alas, one must be gentle while closing a Jaguar hood.

 

This issue became nearly unsolvable, shy of spending several thousands. The battery was draining, the cell phone wouldn't work, the bonnet wouldn't latch, the car wouldn't lock. The computer was going haywire, sometimes it wouldn't boot up. This activity killed the original alternator.

The engine was great. It ran like a deer! Looked great in the driveway but the ugliness on my face as this issue and other electrical bs became too much to bear.

So I cut and ran.

I basically gave this car away with the hopes the next guy would be able to spend a few bucks to entirely rewire it. I put several thousand into it, and enough was enough! I kept this car pristine, not a scratch on it and maintained the engine brakes , everything but electricity. Sad to see it go last week.

Currently shopping low-pressure for another jag, preferably a coup.

 

I feel your pain. Imagine that, a poorly designed hood latching mechanism can cause such downstream despair. Although Ford improved the quality of Jaguar, I'm thinking they overlooked a hood latch review.

 

Thank you for coming back to share the end of the typical ownership experience.

Also, have you learned nothing

 

1992 XJS V12 Coupe
Good morning,
I feel your pain and frustration. Someone was in my garage messing with my 92 Jag! They pulled the latch on the drivers side back flush! I am so mad! I put my foot on the top on the lever, pushed down, due to the angle and lack of strength in my arms. It didn't move. Back to it today, never had a problem before.

Thanks,
Lucielle