how to repair Steering Column Reach Motor cable on an XJ8 1998
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Can someone tell me if this is the same procedure for a 2002 XKR s/c? Is the reach motor clipped on as well? Very hard to get to by just lowering the steering whell. Does this model require dropping down the entire steering wheel/shaft? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 5
From: CA
Bump. I'm in the same situation. And looking for the complete cable replacement/repair procedure. I've done searches, believe me. TIA.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 246
Likes: 19
From: Kelowna BC Canada
Still trying to replace the cable! There was a zip tie holding my reach motor so I cut it out expecting the motor to come out. Turns out there is not enough room above the motor for it to be lifted up and out so I think I'll wait until it warms up some more and go through the estimated one hour ordeal of undoing the upper mount on the steering column to drop it down and hopefully succeed!
Found some instructions on how to drop column, it's in the third post down.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...62/#post247733
Found some instructions on how to drop column, it's in the third post down.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...62/#post247733
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Landes
test point
Contact me via email and I can walk you through the reach motor/position sensor setup. The reason Jaguar did not recommend that we replace the reach motors (column replacement only) was because the sensor is usually the problem with the flex cable failure. The sensor will stop the motor before the limits are reached if it functions correctly and when it fails the motor continues to run and the short cable fails. If you operate the motor manually, you know to stop when the lower or upper limit is reached, but when AUTO is selected, then the relay does not stop if it never gets the 'limit reached' message. The motor runs until the cable fails and then you know you have a problem. I have boxes and boxes of steering columns for XJ and XK for the same fault. We trashed dozens (hundreds???) of columns for 'REACH' faults and I rescued a few from the trash dumpster. You need to run the motor to each limit with an ohm meter to get a 'MIDDLE' reading and then clip the motor to the column on the plastic mount.
bob gauff
Contact me via email and I can walk you through the reach motor/position sensor setup. The reason Jaguar did not recommend that we replace the reach motors (column replacement only) was because the sensor is usually the problem with the flex cable failure. The sensor will stop the motor before the limits are reached if it functions correctly and when it fails the motor continues to run and the short cable fails. If you operate the motor manually, you know to stop when the lower or upper limit is reached, but when AUTO is selected, then the relay does not stop if it never gets the 'limit reached' message. The motor runs until the cable fails and then you know you have a problem. I have boxes and boxes of steering columns for XJ and XK for the same fault. We trashed dozens (hundreds???) of columns for 'REACH' faults and I rescued a few from the trash dumpster. You need to run the motor to each limit with an ohm meter to get a 'MIDDLE' reading and then clip the motor to the column on the plastic mount.
bob gauff
I am now changing the broken axis of the reach motor and ready for reassembly.
However, I noticed that the screw driving the reach position is at the end (wheel the most close to the dashboard), and tightened...
I am afraid of a problem in the position sensor or a relay : the motor would have tighten the screw before the cable broke as Bob described above...
Can anybody explain or show through drawing where to check the position and or the relays ?
Thanks
Last edited by skrevett; Oct 11, 2015 at 11:17 AM.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13,736
Likes: 9,679
From: Wise County,TX
If you want to explore repair options then you first have to understand how it operates and adjust it accordingly.
If you don't want to setup the position sensor, then just use the MANUAL setting on the column and forget about the AUTO feature.
When the column gets to where you want it, STOP.
If you want the control module to control that function then it MUST know the column position or the motor will keep driving until something stops and/or breaks.
I have described how it operates and how to set up the position sensor on at least one post in the X100/X300/X308 forums since I joined 6 six years ago. I don't remember when.
Logic dictates that the motor must stop BEFORE the column mechanical limit is reached.
bob gauff
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 6
From: Nebraska
Yes, but look at the number of people in this thread alone asking questions that go unanswered. Page 2 entirely. Is there a step-by-step how-to with pictures at every step? It seems even simple questions like "what does 'drop the column' mean?" are met with silence. I am curious myself.
Edit: did even more searching around the entirety of jaguarforums, and what other threads there are... all point to this one.
Edit: did even more searching around the entirety of jaguarforums, and what other threads there are... all point to this one.
Last edited by Presence; Nov 29, 2015 at 04:17 PM.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13,736
Likes: 9,679
From: Wise County,TX
Jaguar recommended column replacement because they came already setup.
If someone wants to document the setup procedure then by all means 'have-at-it'. People complain that JTIS sometimes is not a STEP-BY-STEP manual. That's because it is NOT a DIY manual. The manual was written for Jaguar Mechanics that have been to training classes.
Some people like video documentation and posting on 'you-tube' or something like that.
I'm just not 'hollywood' enough to do more than a few pics and brief description on some repairs. It's pretty much like the tilt motor setup. Plug motor in and run the motor all the way to IN, Turn the column all the way to IN, back up a little, install motor, done.
The column can be setup 'off-the-car' with an ohm meter and a 12 volt battery but it is easier to plug it in and let the module and position sensor 'do their thing'.
A good used column might or might not have a functioning feedback pot.
bob gauff
If someone wants to document the setup procedure then by all means 'have-at-it'. People complain that JTIS sometimes is not a STEP-BY-STEP manual. That's because it is NOT a DIY manual. The manual was written for Jaguar Mechanics that have been to training classes.
Some people like video documentation and posting on 'you-tube' or something like that.
I'm just not 'hollywood' enough to do more than a few pics and brief description on some repairs. It's pretty much like the tilt motor setup. Plug motor in and run the motor all the way to IN, Turn the column all the way to IN, back up a little, install motor, done.
The column can be setup 'off-the-car' with an ohm meter and a 12 volt battery but it is easier to plug it in and let the module and position sensor 'do their thing'.
A good used column might or might not have a functioning feedback pot.
bob gauff
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Steering column reach cable 1998 xj8 jaguar
The telescoping part of my steering column is loose that I can pull it in and out. What do I need to fix it? Is it a job that a person is fairly handy with tools can under take?. I've been told the reach cable has broken and that's why it's probably loose.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13,736
Likes: 9,679
From: Wise County,TX
Sounds like the plastic gear is STRIPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A replacement column is most likely in your future.
A broken reach cable will lock the column in ONE position.
A stripped plastic gear in the column will allow the column to be pulled and pushed without holding a position.
bob gauff
A replacement column is most likely in your future.
A broken reach cable will lock the column in ONE position.
A stripped plastic gear in the column will allow the column to be pulled and pushed without holding a position.
bob gauff
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,794
Likes: 1,071
From: Virginia beach va
Thanks, Bob. That is good info. Mine is locked in the down telescope position -- which is good since I wear a 36" shirt. Found the reach cable on Coventry, now need to decide if the repair is worth doing since I (or rarely one of my 6' 4" sons) am the only driver. Wife is afraid of a divorce court if something were to harm it if she were driving.
Replacing that reach cable looks like a PIA!
Replacing that reach cable looks like a PIA!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13,736
Likes: 9,679
From: Wise County,TX
Remove the mount fasteners and drop the column/steering wheel onto the driver's seat.
Leave the upper column connected to the lower (The 'U' joint will pivot).
That should be enough for reach motor assy access.
bob
Leave the upper column connected to the lower (The 'U' joint will pivot).
That should be enough for reach motor assy access.
bob
All,
I was unsuccessful reinstalling the reach motor - steering column in place - with the replacement motor and wire-wound cable installed. Dropping the column will be the best bet to get the motor and wire-wound cable back in place considering the footwell cowling obstructs the reach motor.
Dropping the steering column was glossed over in this thread. My question is this. Which end of the steering column do you drop. Steering wheel end or footwell end. Regardless, there simply not enough room to reinstall the reach motor with the wire-wound cable inserted. The line diagram of the steering column is not much help without a pointers indicating which bolts to remove. A little help would be appreciated.
I was unsuccessful reinstalling the reach motor - steering column in place - with the replacement motor and wire-wound cable installed. Dropping the column will be the best bet to get the motor and wire-wound cable back in place considering the footwell cowling obstructs the reach motor.
Dropping the steering column was glossed over in this thread. My question is this. Which end of the steering column do you drop. Steering wheel end or footwell end. Regardless, there simply not enough room to reinstall the reach motor with the wire-wound cable inserted. The line diagram of the steering column is not much help without a pointers indicating which bolts to remove. A little help would be appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 857
Likes: 277
From: Albuquerque, NM
Replacement cable
Actually if someone had a 3D printer you could make these out of a better material and make a little money
Last edited by cdma; Jan 15, 2017 at 07:19 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: PA
Repair Steering Telescopic Issue.
Thanks Test Point and Motorcarman... Will these steps apply to 2005 XKR? Finding the middle of max and min with a meter should be easy to locate. To drop the steering down is to max the tilt. The tension clip should be doable. I assume if I can access the motor by tilting the column the motor would exit from the available space by the tilt. The only image is the attached thumbnail above... should I have any additional pics? again thanks for the posted info.
Justed noticed additional info about dropping steering wheel end incase I need to replace the motor but based on what I read it appears the plastic gear is stripped... What is the cost of a column? Thanks...
Justed noticed additional info about dropping steering wheel end incase I need to replace the motor but based on what I read it appears the plastic gear is stripped... What is the cost of a column? Thanks...
Last edited by KittyKitty; Sep 12, 2017 at 11:47 AM. Reason: Telescopic reach motor additional info...