Hey there Jaguar Forums, I'm a newbie here and a newbie to Jag ownership. I recently picked up a "rusty but trusty" 1985 Jaguar. The good news is all the window switches work, heat and ac blow nice, and the brakes and tires are brand new. But I've run into a few small issues I need help with.

First: The radio. Now I have the awful, face plate removal radio that apparently is crap. Mine is also crap as the volume only stays up at the highest volume and won't go down. I bought a replacement but I can't seem to get the original radio out. I remove the knobs, pulled off the faceplate, and from there nothing budges. Any help?

Second: Fuel gauge. The good news is that my left side gauge works great. The bad news is that my right side does not register at all. Does anyone have any pictures with a guide to tell me where to find the location of the sending units so I can clean and possibly replace them?

Third: Cruise control. I know, there are tons of articles, but I don't have a single clue what to be looking for. I've only installed aftermarket cruise controls, or just had all electric set ups in the past. Does anyone have a Haynes manual with diagrams to set me in the right direction?

I'd appreciate any help guys, seems like a really nice place and I'm loving Jaguar ownership so far!

 

XJ6 4.2 right?

See pic for the radio. 1986 Sovereign in the photo but I assume yours is the same, the radio is held in with four push-rivet-things that you have to pop out.

Can you give us your cruise control symptoms? Someone might be able to narrow it down from there.

Sorry, that's all I've got. Welcome to the forum!

 

That's a negative, I have the Audio Systems Inc. radio, so my panel looks like so:

 

As for cruise control, I've got nothing. Have the control on, hit the set button, and then boom, nothing happens. I'm going to check the ground wire, as that's the only thing I know how to get to!

 

RADIO: Be sure to remove the round nuts inside the heater control knob bore. A small pointy noise pliers opened the right amount and twisted will do the trick.

FUEL GAUGE: The sender can be accessed by removing the tail lamp assembly. First the lens, that the housing gets unscrewed from the body. and Ohm meter across the sender and chassis ground should tel you if you have an open circuit. If not, then check the tank selector switch itself.

 

Here's good info on cruise control repair. The title says "XJS" but the pre-1992 XJS has the same system you have

Cruise Control

A leaking servo bellows is a common fault. Often the bellows can be removed and cleaned, and reinstalled with a bead of silicone sealer at each of the end plates....and all's well

Cheers
DD

 

Once you remove the slotted nuts that ICS describes that black panel with the a/c setting should come off and expose whatever audio mounting you have.

 

Speed control:

1) the speed control only kicks on around 45 mph.

2) check the rubber accordion "bellows" in the engine compartment for any cracks in the deep "valleys"; If you find any cracks, seal them with flexible rubber, also known as RTV.

3) if your Turn Signals work, (with engine running), if your "Flash To Pass" works, (pull the stalk switch back to check against any wall), if your High Beams work (push the stalk switch forward with headlights switch ON), then chances are the stalk switch's SET button is good.

4) if after all the above checks, everything is good, the next step is to confirm if your XJ has a Roller Switch in front and to the right of the Transmission Shifter, which entails removing the ashtrays panel, and for that job you need the Factory Service Manual which you can download here in this forum. (go to HOW TO'S).

The roller switch looks like the picture below. It might need to be adjusted so the speed control only comes on in the "D" position of the shifter. The adjustment procedure is found in the Service Manual.

**this roller switch also controls the Reverse Lights, so before you dismantle anything check the Reverse Lights with engine running and placing the transmission in R. (have someone else looking while you do this, do not leave the car in Reverse with engine running).

**this roller switch is also known as the Neutral Safety Switch, it prevents starting the engine in any gear position of the shifter other than P or N (Park or Neutral). Check to see if you can start the engine in positions 1, 2, or D of the shifter. If you can, then the roller switch is either bad or out of adjustment.

 

There were two types of reverse switch used: gearshift mounted and transmission mounted. The gearshift mounted type is a round plunger switch. The transmission mounted switch is a rotary type....and combines the function of reverse light and neutral safety into one switch



Except for the cars with the transmission mounted switch!

Cheers
DD

 

Appreciate all the help guys! I got the radio in, have to modify the faceplate to get it all flush, but it's nice to actually have a radio! I also got the fuel sender working, but it's still on and off, so I'll be cleaning it better today.

I'm going to take a look around the cruise control and see what's all going on, I can't imagine it's the shifter as the reverse lights work and the Park and Neutral lockout are solid. But I'll report back, thanks again guys!

 

Ronnyboy - I sent you a private message that provides you Series III reference material. Ted

 

Well, if this isn't the most helpful and giving forum I've ever been on! Thanks for the info guys, looks like I'm a Jag man for life!