I am helping a friend with the convertible top on his 1999 XK8.
Apparently this car rarely had the top opened in 15-20 years of ownership. The car is new to him and he was never able to lower the top since he got the car. First thing I did was change the fluid to the new stuff and got chunks out of the system. After that I was able to lower the top but it was all out of sequence with rear windows not raising, latch not pulling the top down. Investigation led to having the rear rams rebuilt by Top Hydraulics as under the back seat was awash in hydraulic fluid. All back together now and I cannot get the top to close. It will come up, alarm and front window work but just as it gets to the latch the latch starts to slowly close before the latch gets there and then will not grasp the hook. I have read online that there is a reset procedure in the manual but his car does not have the manual. I have a 2004 convertible but my manual does not have a reset procedure. I have done the hard reset at the battery and reset the windows

 

I tried to attach my copy of the sequence but it wouldn't upload. As I recall, here's another way to get it:
https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...2F501-11AM.pdf

If that doesn't work Google search jaguar technical service bulletin 501-11

John

 

GOOD GOD I lived this nightmare for over a decade at the dealer.

 

Does anyone know if Pentosin fluid, JLM21112, is the correct fluid for 2004 xkr convertible tops? The SB mentions to top off with that for older models that had a different fluid.
Does it seem like flushing is a good idea in general like flushing the coolant system? Or if it's working leave well enough alone??
Thank you!!

 

The correct convertible top pump fluid is Pentosin CHF 11S. My local NAPA store sells it....

 

So John that is different than the technical bulliton states, so I'm assuming it's an update.
How about flushing. Is it reccomend to just flush every so often?
Thanks,
Mark

 

The original hydraulic fluid from many years ago tended to gel up in the system. That is why it was dumped and replaced with CHF 11S, which does not gel over time. The CHF 11S fluid in my wife's 2006 XK8 has not been replaced during our ownership (we purchased the vehicle in early February 2012). I have never had to top it up. It remains the appropriate green in color, no gelling whatsoever, and the entire top system continues to function as designed....

 

Awesome thank you.

 

JLM21112 IS Pentosin CHF11S.
The JAGUAR PART NUMBER for Pentosin CHF11S is JLM21112.

I have a part tin of UNIVIS (used from 1997 to 1999) but it has been on my shelf for a few decades.

 

To reset the roof system you need to open the roof all the way open and push down on both sides of the roof to be sure it is all the way open. Then close the roof latch. You may need to open the pump petcock if you are unable to do this electrically. Once the roof is open and the latch is closed you will need to close the pump petcock and check the fluid level for the pump. That level should be at the top embossed line on the tank. Now you do a hard reset. Once that is done start your car and press the roof button to close and hold it until the roof is closed and the latch grabs the roof and closes and the rear windows close. If it works all is good if it does not we need to check a few other things.

Gus
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