I have a 2002 XJ8 4.0L. Electrics have been absolutely perfect for the two years I have owned it. Two days ago the central locking stopped locking the doors. The key fob locks/unlocks the boot but not the doors. The doors don't lock when I drive away. Using the key locks the drivers door but not the others. When I press the lock button on the centre console nothing happens but I can hear the locks clicking.
There is no 'door open' message on the dash.
Any ideas?

 

Have your battery looked at - might need a new battery. The electronics in the car behave badly with less than full battery voltage.

Jim Lombardi

 

Thanks Jim. Took your advice and fitted a new battery this morning and performed hard reset/reboot. No change. What next?

 

Have you had your car scanned for DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) - either by parts store or repair shop or by your self using a code scanner/reader?

If there is a logged DTC code, then make a note of the code and then delete it (with code scanner/reader).

Then take your car for a test run.

Jim Lombardi

 

Thanks Jim. I didn't realise central locking would trigger a fault code. I am on the water sailing for a week so I will scan codes next weekends.
Thanks again. Paul

 

Hi Jim
Scanned codes this morning but none showing. Should I strip out each door and clean the microswitches? I was thinking of using brake ad clutch cleaner to get rid of any gunk in there.

 

I'm having the same problem on my 99 xj8. Fyi each door has its own module, please advise .

 

OK so the battery checked out fine, no fault codes either. I went looking for a blown fuse which I found behind the rear seat kick panel on the right side of the car. Replaced fuse and faffed around with locks. Decided problem was the drivers door lock. Purchased one secondhand and fitted. Miserable, time consuming job to fit, very easy to damage trim.
Car is now perfect. Locks do exactly what they should. Very happy, I thought it was going to be a nightmare.