On my 2000 XKR you could open/close the roof and side windows from outside the car by holding the key in the door lock (open=unlock, close=lock). It's pretty useful.

I couldn't find any equivalent in the manual for my 2008 XKR, so I believed it couldn't be done until I saw this video:
2008 Jaguar XKR Portfolio Video Tour for Rod Gull - YouTube

Its a sales guy advertising an identical year/model car to mine (except I have the American walnut trim). At about 2:40 he closes the roof from outside the car. The camera angle its not conclusive to show exactly how, but it looks like he didn't use the button on the center roof console.

Does anyone know if there really is, or definitely isn't, a way to open/close the roof from outside the car other than reaching in and pushing the center console button?

 

We found over in the Audi side of the world that certain functions like "Automatic window/sunroof closing" via press and hold key fob LOCK, as well as Automatic Window/sunroof open" via press and hold key fob UNLOCK were simple ECU settings. I don't recall which, but one of them was disabled for Audi's in the US market and thanks to having the ECU cracked, we all quickly turned it back on!

I'd wouldn't be surprised if the Jag ECU has several functions turned off for the US market.


Vince

 

I would love to know how to this also. I had the outside feature on my '05 and really miss it on my '07.

Another feature I wish could be enabled is the closing of the windows from the FOB. Oddly there is a setting on the screen for both opening and closing, called 'Global open' and 'Global close', but for some reason only the open feature works. To activate the global open, press and hold the 'Unlock' button on the FOB.

 

Thats the only thing that works on mine too. When you hold the fob unlock, does yours open the roof too? Mine only opens the windows.

 

I found that the windows can be closed from outside the car by pressing and holding the square black button on the outside door handle, not by pressing the FOB. I have no idea why Jaguar chose to do it this way, but it does work. However I do not believe there is any way to open/close the top from outside the car. I sent an email to the author of the video and he said that he reached in and pressed the button on the overhead console.

By the way the global open/close function, while not documented in the '07 owners manual, is documented in the '08 owners manual, but it does work in my '07 XK.

 

Have you guys seen this?

How to add remote control to your Jaguar XK8 or XKR convertible top ! - YouTube

I don't know if Whitexkr can do anything for your cars or not.

 

I have actually had a few requests for an XK150 remote control top.

The system was completely redesigned in 2007. I have not yet studied the new one, so I cannot say for sure. I do hope to have a look and develop one if there is adequate demand, but it probably will not be until at least 2013.

 

Justniz,

He is just reaching in thru the window and pressing the button on the roof console. You can see his arm by the visor close the the end of it closing.

Nothing that I know of will global open or close the roof like the old xk's

 

My personal opinion is opening or closing the top without the engine running would be a huge draw on the battery. After reading all the posts about problems caused by a weak battery , I don't know if I would do it even if it did work.

Jerry

 

This would likely not be an issue. On the earlier model I calculated the a top operation drains roughly 0.2% of the charge from the battery...pretty insignificant.

 

I agree with WhiteXKR. Once in awhile I would also open the top with the keyfob from the outside on my other car and I don't think it's a big battery draw although the car comes with 2 batteries....main battery used for engine related operations and the secondary battery for electronics such as the folding roof and radio.