Hi,
I am wondering if my 1997 XK8 convertible top is suppose to be illuminated? If it is is there abulb replacement? Been working on replacing all the center panel lights while I have the center console taken out. I also wanted to thank everyone for the post has made life a lot easier for repairs and knowing how things come apart.

 

yes switch is illuminated, but not able to change bulb.

New switch is about 50 bucks from terrys Jaguar and easy to replace.

You may find the new switch works much better than yours now, it will react much faster than your old one that most likely is very dirty inside because of age.

Mine took almost 15 -20 seconds to react when pushed. Super happy that I decided to get new button.
The illumination works and when button pushed the windows go down immediately ¼" and the top goes down or up right after windows do their thing.

Remember
Happy Motoring...

 

I thought it was silly for it not to light up. Glad to hear about the improved funtionality because my front windows barely drop now.
Does anyone have the part numer for the convertible button and the coin tray I think mine is cracked where it hold the switch in?

 

I think this is them.....

 

Hey thanks for finding the part number was very fortunate to find both part brand new on eBay $36 for the switch and 0nly $38 for the coin tray holder deal!
Now just some nice weather so I can try the switch out for the top hope it does everything faster as described in the earlie thread.

 

So...I've gotten to know my car pretty well inside and out and still cannot figure out if when the top button is depressed....are the front windows supposed to lower completely or only slightly (as when opening door). When first purchased, they dropped completely...now, for whatever reason they only drop slightly.


On the flip side, when lowering the top with the key in door, the windows all lower entirely. I am confused.

 

When pushing top button to lower or raise the top the front windows should go down about ¼" like when door opening. When lowering top the rear windows will go down all the way and when the top goes up and latches the rear windows will close (go up).

The reason, is so there will be no undue stress on glass in case of misalignment, since the glass actually seats into the rubber gaskets on the top, when top goes up the front window goes back up and aligns with rubber gasket on top as well as the rear windows.
Hope this helps .

And Remember
Happy Mortoring...

 

2nd time i used my soft top - the latch didn't flip open when activated when i was trying to close the roof ( my wife in the car for the 1st time) , this caused the roof to shut, but not latch and took a bit of patient button pressing before it went back up so i could flip the metal latch bit that flicks back with my fingers, i keep an eye on it now, still does it now and then ... hmm