I have a 1999 XK8 Convertible..

The top goes up and down like it should.

When the top is down, the front hook above the windshield stays open....

And when the top is closed, the guy who I bought the car from had to use an allen wrench poked thru a hole slightly to the right of center on the top post.....to tighted down the top all of the way and make it secure..

Any idea on what could be the problem?

Thanks!

 

Are there any messages on the instrument panel LCD when you operate the top?

 

I had the same thing happen when I was working on the car and the battery was disconnected and I hooked it back up when I went to raise the roof it would stop where you described, no messages, I lowered it, disconnected the battery, reconnected it, and all was well. Also make sure you petcock valve on your pump is turned tight (clockwise) if it's just a little loose It can make your system do weird things.

 

+1. Perform RCSign's suggestions and check your fluid level.

If you do have fault messages during top operation please post what they are. If you have messages you proabably have a bad or misadjusted microswitch somewhere in the system.

If you have done all of the above, and you have no fault messages and still have the problem, then you may have either a kinked hose or a stuck pump valve solenoid.

 

It says "convertible not latched" on the dash.

Here is a picture of the allen wrench.

Does this help anyone figure out what could be the problem?

Thanks!

 

The allen wrench is the manual closure tool that comes with the car for emergencies.


Perform RCsign's suggestions and check your fluid level. If that does not fix it I think you have a kinked hose or a bad solenoid valve (which unfortunately is part of the pump assembly).

 

Do your windows go up? If the latch is staying open you should first check the fluid in the reservoir if it is full ask the previous owner if he knows of any problems with the roof operation. It could be that he might have disabled the latch closing portion of the roof because of a hose failure. You can check the hoses at the tank to see if they are connected and at the same time check that both plugs on the top of the pump are connected. If all are ok then it is possible that the system could be out of sequence. The roof operating is controlled by the security control module and the body processor module along with a host of switches and relays. If your rear quarter windows go up and down then that is an indication that the rams are going to a complete cycle. I would ask if the hoses failed or the operation system was compromised to prevent a hose failure before you start poking around.

 

I just bought the car and the person took it in on a trade for some landscaping work. I am not sure if I can get in touch with the previous owner.

The only way for the back windows to go up is to really tighted down on the allen key, when it is fully tightened, then the windows will go up.

If I open up either of the front windows even slightly, both back windows go down imediately all of the way.

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I will look into the hoses etc. that you have mentioned.

Thanks!

 

I have a great deal of information on my webpage that might help but I am not sure what you have going on. Check your PM for my number.

 

I did some searching on here.... what should I try first?

Thanks again Gus, what link should I try first on your page?

Thanks!

 

If the windows go up when you latch at the header it means that your rams are fully extended. Have you had the roof opened?

 

I had to go back and reread your first post. If the top goes down and then up and the latch must be manually operated then I would assume that the close and open portion of the hydraulic system has been disabled. Look at the pump the side facing you are both hoses connected to the pump? At the same time look to the top of the pump you will see two solenoids with a plug connected to each one. If the plugs are connected gently move them a little to see if they are connected properly. Do not pull and tug on them they were not made to take any abuse.

This link should help http://jagrepair.com/HydSystemEvaluationXK8XKR.htm

 

Where one could find the hydraulic relief-valve system?

 

You can get it from LSI and the link is below.

Link Jaguar Kit | LSI Controls, Inc.

 

I'm not knowledgeable enough to even guess what the problem is, but your comment that lowering the front windows causes the rears to go down is pretty interesting. That's something I've not heard of before.