Hello, just purchase a 1995 XJS 2+2 4.0 Liter. Had lots of problems some minor which I've been able to correct. When I purchased to car the roof worked fine all of a sudden wont go up or down. Checked fuse to day, the 30 amp in the motor is good.. Have to admit I'm not very good at electrical issues.
Second think not so minor, I have no front parking lights. When I move the headlight switch to the middle position I get side markers, tail lights and the headlights flicker. In the full headlight on position I have headlight, including high beams, tail lights, brake light and turn lights. Tail lights are very low, probably will replace with leds.
Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

Welcome, and congrats on the purchase. For the top to operate, the hand brake has to be on, and it's very easy for new owners to forget that. It can also be the switch on the brake lever, or the wiring to that switch.

 

Welcome to the circus that is Jag ownership. Don't stress over the Jag it is just letting you know who the boss is, don't ever ever say my Jag is perfect because it will hear you and make you pay.

There's always something going on, especially electrical as you've clearly figured out.

Dim bulbs are a sign of either dirty contacts or bad earth connections, can't really help with the locations. I've no experience with the powered hood at all but the switches used by Jaguar weren't exactly the best, that goes to for the light switch and column switches too which can be a real pig if not used regularly. May want to start working you way through methodically cleaning up connections, disconnect, clean, reconnect - many cleaning agents possible - some use lemon juice, I use dedicated contact cleaner, personal choice really.

 

That did it, thank you very much. I was really concerned.
Bob

 

Thanks, Ill start cleaning up the contacts. Are the earth connections the grounds on the headlight, have heard stories about them.

 

Didn't notice any on my headlights when I took them off but I likely have different lighting to you - I'm guessing that you have the US twin headlight set up, I don't know if there is a diagram showing all the factory ground points, I'll poke around in my library and see.

 

Check out this old post - it may help - look partway down for a post by Greg.

Ground Points

 

Bob, welcome to home of the phrase "misery loves company", lol.

This forum is the absolute best resource available. Use it whenever needed, but try coming back regularly when you don't as well. I have found threads for things I did not know, had.t thought of or simply found interesting and/or entertaining.
Tail light brightness is an issue in XJS's due to the facelift changes, making the lens darker. LED's are great, but try swapping old for the new "brighter" regular type. I found a noticeable difference without issues of fit or voltage draw. Of course, canned air or a compressor with a thin air nozzle is great for just blowing out years of dust/dirt/grime to begin with while changing the bulbs.

Dave in AZ

 

This is great having a resource to use everyone’s knowledge. Just terrific.