I have a 1997 XK8 with 33,000 miles. Last year as a precaution I had the hydraulic lines and fluid replaced. The top has worked fine but occasionally the latch above the rear view mirror won't fully extend when putting the top up. It has never been an issue because I always keep an eye on it and will use my finger to fully extend the latch if needed. Today I had the top down and decided to close it with the key instead of the button on the console. Apparently, the latch didn't extend all the way and the hook pressed the latch down into place with the hook resting on top of it. Now the top won't close all the way and the rear windows won’t close. I get a hood latch failure warning on the instrument cluster. Pressing the open/close button does nothing. I have checked previous posts but didn’t find one that address this particular issue. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Beyond all the hydraulic issues the catch latch is famous for hanging up due to dry lubrication. Move the top to a position that you would expect the latch to be extended and lubricate with a little lithium grease. Work it in by exercising it up and down and that should fix it.

. . . and welcome to the forum!

Tucker huh?

 

Thanks for the reply. I have tried to pry the latch up but the top is pressed pretty tightly against it. I'll go try again.

Looks like we have similar cars. Mine is Antigua with an otameal interior. Yep, I'm in Tucker.

 

Just got back from trying to get the latch loose. I was able to force the top up about 4 inches (it is resting tightly against latch) to allow me to get my fingers on the latch but it is firmly in the closed position. There is just no way to get ahold on the latch. I can press down on it but that is it. I took the alan wrench from the trunk thinking I could manually open the latch but I could get no movement at all. I'm afraid if I try anything else I'll damage something. Looks like I'll have it towed to the dealership in the morning$$$

 

can't you just open the valve on the pump, release some pressure, and ease the top back up to allow you to get the latch in the right order?

 

The valve that Matt is referring to is the manual release 'T' handle on the side of the pump body. Without releasing the pressure you will, as you have discovered, have a difficult time moving the top. The residual pressure in the system is probably the reason the latch will not move. With the valve open (counter-clockwise) you should be able to completely drop the top and move the latch. If nothing else you will have avoided a tow truck ride.

Just paid for one of those for a granddaughter, $75 hook up plus $3 per mile, and that was the cheap one. Now I have a Hyundai in the garage to fix.

 

Tom,

Proving once again that "no good deed goes unpunished", or something like that ...

 

Thanks for your help guys! After releasing the valve at the pump the roof still wouldn't budge but I was able to release the latch with the alan wrench. I then closed the valve and used the console switch to lower and raise the top. It is working beautifully again. I will pick up some white lithium grease today to work into the latch to prevent this from reoccurring.

Once again, the good people of this site have proved invaluable!

 

Well . . . maybe not 'invaluable' but worth a couple hundred bucks plus the embarrassment of seeing your baby on the top of a tow truck.