I'm in the process of getting a 1981 XJ6 S3 running after 17 years of standing in barn. It now runs fine and is MOT'ed. The aerial was always down. I wanted to fix that. The 5 prong green relay in the back had some wires removed, others were cut and routed to aerial motor, worrying. Also there's an aftermarket radio, so you never know what has happened. Thirdly, I have an aerial switch on the center console.

First step was to get that relay reconnected, after connecting wires like below, it worked:
1 Strange colour, covered in a fabric sleeve wire, contant +
2 Black
3 White/Pink
4 Blue/White
5 Blue/Brown
When I say it now worked, it was like this. Turning on or off the radio has no effect. But the center console switch works (I think) as designed. If flipped backwards, it stays there and the aerial raises fully. If you flip switch back to neutral, nothing happens. If you flip switch forward, it flips back, if you hold it, the aerial lowers as long as you hold the switch forward. Working as designed?

So now I was happy, ideally I think it should work with the radio, but if this was the original wiring, I would live with this. But...5 days later battery was flat. And after some analysis I found the relay is always on, so it constantly uses about 0.1 amps, too much. If I remove wire on 1, no problem, as soon as I put it on, the relay clicks, regardless of status of center console switch or radio.

So that wire on 1 is constant plus, is it supposed to be that? I don't get it, it's 3 (and 2) that controls if the relay clicks if it were a normal relay. But there's a timing function, is that timing then using current from 1 (that's constant) to finish its timing chores, and could that part of the relay be faulty, so the timing never stops? Or should that wire on 1 be ignition only, or is the aerial supposed to e.g. go all the way down when ignition is removed (I would guess so)?

To be more specific:

1. Can anybody help?
2. Does anybody have a wiring diagram where the special center console switch (3 wires) and the 5 prong relay is shown?
3. Can I test if current relay timing function is faulty, if so, how?
4. Where does one get a new relay if it's faulty? Part#? I see 33888a looks like it. The one I have, have inside soldered the number "??566"

Thanks

I'm just two sips into my first cup of coffee so this might not be all that helpful.

The timer/relay is part number DAC1820. The "33888a" is the Lucas number. I doubt that Jaguar still offers it but it should be too hard to find a good used one.

I don't have...at least not readily at hand.....any diagrams of the early wiring arrangement with the console switch. This is a carry-over from the Series II cars. The later scheme, which uses the radio itself as a switch, post #1 of the relay should be constant 12v "+"....which agrees with what you've got.

If someone here has some Series II schematics it would probably be helpful.

Offhand I think the relay is defective with respect to the timer function, as you've surmised. However, what happens if you unplug the antenna motor? Typically antenna motors have internal limit switches which de-power the motor when the mast is fully retracted or fully extended. Perhaps there's a problem in that regard?

I'll try to find an early diagram and better thoughts later but others will chime in with more info, I'm sure.

Cheers
DD

Thanks Doug, very helpful
I actually have a S2 Jaguar Repair Operation Manual, but in that schematics ("1977 and onwards"), the "control" is "60" (=radio), can't see my center console switch.

I found an early diagram for models using the console switch. It isn't 100% clear, though.

Delay relay:

Terminal 1- brown/purple (?)
Terminal 2- ground (?)
Terminal 3- white/pink from radio
Terminal 4- blue/white to switch
Terminal 5- brown/blue to switch

The terminals of the switch are not identified. As illustrated the brown/blue wire goes to the center post...but schematic illustrations are just representations; there may not be a clearly identifiable 'center post' on the actual switch.

Cheers
DD

I did not know 1981 Series 3 models had a separate antenna switch in conjunction with the timer relay. Doesn't make sense?

The green relay is a delay timer that lowers the antenna when the factory radio is turned OFF, and it activates / raises the antenna automatically when radio is turned ON without any delay.

Is this a factory switch? Doesn't sound like it is.

Aftermarket antennas come with a spring switch that must be held up or down to raise or lower the antenna and that is what that switch sounds like. Those switches go back to center (neutral) when you let go of the toggle.

So if that switch is not factory, then there is a wiring conflict between that aftermarket switch and the green relay.

Again, if the 1981 models came with a manual switch as described, then the automatic feature was bypassed, evidenced by the cut wires to the relay, in which case you don't even need that green relay. just use the switch to raise or lower the antenna.

And by the way I have 3 of those green antenna relay spares, they never go bad, so to me it sounds like your issue is with an aftermarket antenna, not the relay.

Though I can't find it in wiring diagrams and most people don't seem to know about it, I guarantee it's original. The wiring going to it is also OEM Jaguar connectors. And I found this picture in a forum where the guy has exactly the same switch as me, top right in the picture. So some models, some areas have it .
Would you be willing to part with one of the green relays, at least for me to test?

Googled a solution I can live with. Apparently you can replace the green relay with a normal 30 86 85 87 87a relay, and you have all the functions except the delay. And frankly I never understood the idea of the delay. And this ordinary relay does not use current. So I control my antenna with a switch.
Thanks for the help

the switch you refer to is the one behind the left ashtray, right? if you pry the switch out, does the square hole look like a manufactured cutout stamping or does it look as if someone cut it by hand?

I agree about the non-sensical reason for the approx. 20 second delay lowering the antenna after the radio is turned off.

I cannot argue that your switch is not original, I have a similar quagmire with my 1965 Jaguar S type. It has a toggle spring switch for a power antenna that is not documented anywhere either but it is wired from the radio factory harness. Eveybody says "impossible". My mechanic says it is the second S type he has seen with that same switch and "antique" power antenna. Originally the S type came with a manually cranked antenna and that was an optional accessory. But no mention of an electric antenna anywhere. Fortunately no delay relay to troubleshoot!
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The console mounted antenna switch is documented. It appears in the Series III parts catalogs and early wiring schematics. And there's a section in the ROM that describes removal/replace. I dunno when this switch was deleted and replaced with a radio-triggered antenna. My guess is 1982-ish.



Cheers
DD

The purpose of the delay function is to prevent needless (and partial) retraction in a scenario when the ignition is cycled only for a few moments. Seems a little silly to me as well; a bit like a cure for which there is no disease. But Jaguar rationale has confused me more than once over the decades

Cheers
DD

in that case the Owner's Handbook of the car's manufacture date must have intructions about that switch and how it relates to the original radio, if not a wiring diagram.