Here's a video which shows how to remove and replace the door latch on an XK8. There is a microswitch in the door latch mechanism which tells the car when the door is open. That microswitch signals the interior lights to turn on, it shows a "door open" warning on the dash, and, most importantly, it signals the window to stay down an inch or so until the door is closed. Once the door closes the window goes back up, but if the switch is bad the window goes back up as soon as the latch is released. This can cause the window to rub on the A-pillar, and it can even cause the door not to close properly.

Unfortunately, the microswitch that senses whether or not the door is open isn't sold by Jaguar. It's a $2 microswitch, but if it needs to be replaced the entire latch has to be replaced. The microswitch isn't available separately. Jaguar charges SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS for the latch mechanism, but I found one on eBay and won it for a mere $10 plus a few dollars more for shipping. It was from a 1999 XK8, and I wasn't sure if it was compatible with my 2003, but for $10 I was willing to risk it. Plus I figured that even if the latch wasn't compatible, maybe I could cannibalize the microswitch. Fortunately, the latch was completely compatible and I didn't have to tear it apart.

So, here it is, the video on how to remove and replace the door latch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV1hy3AYni0

 

Sam is storming the forums with his useful vids

 

Sam good video on the latch removal. I had the opportunity to fool around with the switches and have a number for the switch from Jagbits.com for you to get replacements on my page http://www.gusglikas.com/images/Auto...r%20Switch.pdf

 

Good for you Sam. Excellent stuff!

 

Great info on the latch, Gus! But then I saw the price for the microswitch. TWENTY SIX DOLLARS??? I was thinking of repairing the old latch and reselling it on eBay, but the microswitch costs more than I paid for the latch.

 

The micro switch on the one I was working on was actually good until I attempted to remove it and drilled when I should have pried. You may want to look at cleaning and lubrication before replacing.

 

Great video Sam!! I admire your work. I can't help but think if I tried to do a video, by the time I edited out all the cuss words, there wouldn't be any video left. ha
Good Job.

 

Thankyou Sam and Thankyou Gus. When mine fails I know where to get a switch and how to get to it. One question Gus, what about a micro-switch for earlier models (96 -02) are they available I hope?

 

I only came across the switch out of necessity like most of my stuff. The one I worked on was from a 2000 car so I would say it is the same for the rest unless I hear otherwise. I have a theory that it is not broken until I have a chance to look at it and I have lived with that all my life. If one is available and you want me to look at it let me know. I will see what I can do.

 

another great video Sam and one for the FAQ's I think. I'm sure one of the mods will sort this soon.
Thanks for sharing

 

Hey Sam, thank you for all your work and videos. Are you taking any casting calls for your next video. I have a hot red head with a new tranny that might want to audition.

 

I'm interested in the hot redhead, but you can keep the tranny to yourself.

 

I don't know this for a fact, but since my car is a 2003 and the door latch I purchased on eBay was from a 1999, I think they are all the same. My latch is working perfectly now. I've tried all of the different combinations; locking from the outside, locking from the inside, raising the top with the key, lowering the top with the key, etc. Everything works as it should.

 

Thanks Sam for the great tutorial, just replaced the micro switch on my passenger side.

Couple things I noted:

passenger side doesn't have a key hole so only the one "thing" to disconnect and no anti theft metal work.

having the window all the way up (like it probably is due to micro switch failure) sure makes it easier to take out and replace the latch through the little hole in the door!

Sure feels good to do the repairs myself and save a bundle!

 

This is an old thread but a useful one (Thanks Rev!)

I did this repair today and found something that that makes it easier. In the video, Rev mentions breaking the lock actuating rod when disconnecting it. Rather than pull the plastic clip out of the latch assembly, you can actually slide the black ferrule down and pop the metal rod out of the split part of the plastic connector.

This is shown in JTIS but there is no text to describe it and it is not at all clear what they mean by the arrows.

 

Thanks for the tip, Charlie. No issues yet with my wife's XK8's door lock microswitches but as these cars age, all of their various microswitches are at greater risk of failure. The two in her brake pedal switch assembly have failed twice now, the first time in October 2012 (I opted for a brand-new switch assembly) and the second time in November 2016 (I opted to have two new microswitches soldered onto the existing assembly to replace the failing ones)....

By the way, this thread reminds me of just how much we all miss the expertise and advice from Reverend Sam. Sure wish he would rejoin the forum with another XK8/XKR. I know he was looking at one last autumn but it apparently was not up to his standards....

 

Thanks for the great video, it came out like a charm, until I got to the part about actually getting the latch out of the door. I fought with it for about 5 minutes and decided this wasn't going to work, perhaps something is a little differemt in my 2004 model. I tried the bottom hole amd it just aboit fell out, much easier.

Door latch comimg out lower door opening.

 

I have a 2004 and , believe me, the latch does come out through there. It's not that hard when you get the correct angle. My best advice would me to move that plastic water curtain well out of the way

 

I posted the link dismantling sequence in Rev Sam's thread but many never go further than the video!






Graham