Fuel switch panel removal
 

Hey guys, I need to replace the fuel tank switch on my 85 xj6 s3. Iv got the switch and I'm ready to go, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the panel off so I can change the switch. I know the switch is faulty because it doesn't stay in when I push it so I'm limited to using the right fuel tank, the fuel gauge also doesn't work and iv been told that they are interelated so I'm hoping upon replacement of the switch the fuel gauge will start working too.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated, this has given me some trouble as the interior is in really good nick and I don't want to start removing or screwing with things until I'm entirely sure I know I'm taking the right steps.

Thanks guys

Mike

Hi Mike...

This was the same question I asked in my first post, back in 2004... Since then, I've done a "few"...
First, pull of the A/C control knobs. Behind them, you'll find some nuts that have slots in them.. They need to be removed. You can usually do that with a screwdriver pushing in the slots counter clockwise... Some folks have went as far as taking a socket and grinding the edges until only some small knobs are left that fit the slots.. I have a tool made by Mac that does the job nicely...
Next pull the radio surround faceplate out slightly...
Behind the radio surround faceplate there are two screws that hold the trip computer surround in place.. Take those out, and the entire surround will slide forward.
That allows access to all of the switches, and the trip computer...

One thing to note, when you are pushing the switch through the front of the surround, it's easy to get the veneer caught on the switch, messing up the faceplate... So take that part kind of easy...

Good luck with your repair,
David
EverydayXJ.com

Thankuou
 

Wow, thankyou so much for that advice it is priceless. I would have never thought to do it that way, I have a Haynes manual but it is almost useless for this action. Got it all done, ended up using a sturdy fork n bending back the two middle pronges n gripping it sideways with vice grips. I have replaced the button which was good and Needed to be done but the fuel gauge is still not working which I was hopping would kill two birds with one stone. The gauge does move slightly upon start up but doesn't give a reading of how much fuel is in it. Now I don't know weather to look at the gauge itself or the reader in the tank. Iv heard u can test the gauge by grounding the contacts on the reader behind the tail lights. Might give that ago.

Once again thank you I really appreciate it.

Right, take the light green wire off the sending unit and touch it to ground. The needle should go to "F". (Key "on", of course)

If it does the gauge is OK. If not, it's the sending unit. Not expensive; easy to replace

Cheers
DD

Hey guys,
I'm trying to fix my fuel switch as well and was following the above instructions but I don't know how to get my head unit out to get to the switch. This isn't really a jaguar question but does anyone know how to remove a head unit like the one below?

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...497849344-1&zw
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&i...44-2&safe=1&zw

Thanks again, everyone.
Domenic

what's a head unit? do you mean the radio?

Yes, the radio, the above description says to "Next pull the radio surround faceplate out slightly..." so I imagine I need to pull the radio out to do that...

to quote David:

1) pull out the two large black a/c knobs from their shafts,

2) now try to remove the two notched nuts visible after you remove the two knobs, using whatever tool you can, I use two small screwdrivers, one on each notch, but only after the nut is lose; To loosen the nut, place one screwdriver in one of the notches, hit it gently so it rotates towards the left (counterclockwise),

3) once the nuts are off, you can pull the a/c controls plate slightly backwards, in order to reach two phillips screws which are at the bottom of the panel. (actually they are Posidrive head screws, not phillips, but a phillips screwdriver will work).

4) remove those two screws without losing them!

5) now you can pull the panel down and towards you. (there are two catch-brackets at the top of the panel). Do not pull too hard, there are wiring harnesses behind the panel and you don't want to lose their position.

Supposedly, you remove these switches from the FRONT of the panel without all this trouble, but I've never been able to remove one from the front without damaging the finish or the switch, the switches refuse to come out, you have to push them out.

Oh, so I thought the ac controls plate had to go the opposite direction, I'll give this a try later. Thanks for clarifying.

So, I was able to successfully to get to my switch but I have no idea on how to actually take it out. I'm sure I'm missing something simple but I have no clue of how to get it out. Any ideas guy?

Thanks

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j...8/IMAG0261.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y...8/IMAG0262.jpg

Depress the little spring-metal tabs to allow the switch to come out thru the front of the panel. The wiring connector comes of with a wiggle or two

Cheers
DD

Great, thank you I thought those might of been it but I'm always afraid that I might actually just be breaking something.