I have a 2008 XJ8. Trying to replace the wiper blades. I turned on the ignition and pulled back on the wiper control stalk to get the wipers to stop on the windshield, but they just do a single swipe and park. Turning off the ignition when the wipers are on the windshield does not work. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a way to get the wipers to stop on the windshield so I can change the blades?

 

Just a guess: You wrote you pulled the stalk switch... try instead to select normal wiper mode and turn off the ignition while the wipers are up there.

And on the subject of swapping wipers:
There is no need to spend big $ for new wipers - wiper "refills" from eg Aliexpress for a couple of $ will do the job (make sure, you buy those, which are long enough).

 

This is the X308 98’-03’ XJ section. You need the X350/358 section.

The only way to get those wipers to point to the top of the windshield is to turn the key on and wipers on slow then have someone remove the battery cables when they are in the right position. Maybe there’s a fuse to pull instead but, I don’t need to disconnect the battery. I’ve gotten used to removing the wipers in the park position. You could also remove the wiper arms with a 13mm socket.

 

I also did think of the option to disconnect the battery, when the blades are in the correct position, but I did not write this, because I strongly advise against this:
Jags are kind of prone to develop issues just by disconnecting the battery, hence, I avoid this wherever possible,

But pulling the wiper fuse is a good idea. There would be a wiper fuse somewhere.

 

Peter, you aren’t wrong at all about the issues that can arise from such messing about. 😂

 

Thanks for the suggestion Peter, but I tried that and the wipers still park as soon as the ignition is turned off. Seems removing the fuse is the way to go.