I opened my center console armrest today and when I pushed it closed it wouldn't stay latched and kept popping open. It appears to be a very simple mechanism, with a spring loaded, chrome push bar operated latch that normally protrudes and retracts when the bar is pushed. The latch fits into a corresponding slot in the armrest, which is what keeps the armrest closed and allows it to open when the bar is pushed. It is very similar in operation to a standard door latch. After fiddling around with it for around 15 minutes with no success, I gave up and called my Jaguar service adviser. He asked me to bring the the car in so he could take a look at it and order any parts that might be needed.

It took my service advisor less than 30 seconds to fix it. All he did was "massage" that latch with his finger. I felt like a real dumbass. We had a good laugh about his finger having that magic touch!
My point: the latch mechanism retracts and protrudes and, although it appeared to be working OK, what I didn't realize was that my latch was binding and should have protruded much farther. All my efforts in moving the latch back and forth got most of the dirt out of that mechanism and all it took was just a little bit more jiggling around by my service adviser to get all of the dirt out and free it up.

Don't use any lubrication on that latch mechanism, because dust will stick to that lube and cause the latch to bind. Even without any lube it's a dust collector.

If this happens to you, you now know how to fix it.

Stuart

 

When mine did that, my dealer replaced it under warranty. Glad to hear your problem was apparently less complicated.

Dwayne

 

Always happy to hear the Platters!

 

Oldies, but goodies! Now if I could only get my wife to believe me...

 

That's another forum...

 

Here's a document I put together if you ever need to open up and clean out the grime.

 

Impressive! Nicely done! I'm sure glad mine was a much easier fix.