I still use my factory radio. Most of the time I use a cassette adapter to stream radio. My volume control is acting up. When I try to turn down the volume, the volume may actually go higher or not change at all. Assume there is a rheostat like component going bad. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

 

Is it the same using both the knob, and the steering wheel controls, or just one or the other? Not sure beyond that, just thought I'd start with the simple question while others ponder.

 

Mine does the same. The steering wheel works perfectly. Sounds like a loos e connection, mine starting acting up after I remove the radio to get to the top area for repair. A secret I use is to pull gently on the knob while turning, works for me. Good luck.

 

Thanks for your reply. I feel pretty dumb as I have never used the steering wheel control and forgot about it. The steering wheel volume control works fine. I am sure the volume control on the radio must go bad over time. My problem is solved as I will use the steering wheel control now.

 

Just bought my '01 X308 which (I assume) has the factory radio. I have the same problem with wonky volume control, Haven't checked to see if steering wheel control works better.

 

Thank you for this tip...I will try it today!

 

Tried the gentle knob tug/turn and it worked almost every time. And of course the steering wheel control works just fine.

 

I sent my radio to a company in California called Factory Radio. Not only did they fix the volume control, but they put a little unobtrusive auxiliary jack in the radio so I can use my iPhone (you can use any device) to stream into the system. I used to use a cassette adapter. Jaguar 98-99 XJ8 with AUX input [JA001] : Factory Radio Service, Car Factory Radio Services

 

Mine's got the same issue (seems to be a common issue on these cars). I was reading a while ago a thread on cleaning out the knob contacts from the outside using something like Deoxit or another brand contact cleaner, and how that seemed to help, at least for a little bit. If you're very technical you could pop the radio off and service the knob yourself by taking the radio apart. That's my plan for one day, but I just use the steering wheel for now. Don't notice it unless I reset my radio and have to readjust all the eq/balance settings.

 

That's exactly what I did on both the XJ and XK, and it works fine ever since.
Its a bit messy to do, use some rags, and it needs a bit of time to spread inside before the problem is cured, but after that it is fine.
I just used the first cheap silicon grease spray bottle I could find, as all that fancy stuff you have over there is not available here.