Dear fellow Forum members,
Has anyone run into this problem ( or more importantly, how to fix it? )
My '02 XK8 convertible, now with 69K, has just developed a new "gremlin":
When you open the driver's door, which wasn't locked, the top goes down on its
own! It goes back up fine with the Roof button, but as the rainy season is starting, this could be a serious problem! I am not using the key, just opening the door latch. Any help with this one would be very much appreciated! Thank you,
Bob (wabisabi) in Oregon

 

You do know that you can operate your roof open and closed operation with you key in the drivers door. Chances are that control switch in or on the lock cylinder is malfunctioning.

Do you know if a modification was done on the car to operate the roof with your remote?

 

Thanks Gus,
Yes I know you can open the roof with the key, but I wasn't doing that. I'm sure there's
been no modification to the remote. What can I do if the control switch on the lock cylinder
is malfunctioning, as you think it might be? Thanks for your help, Gus.

 

I would recommend a good spraying of the lock mechanism and the key opening and exercising the lock opening with the key. You may have a micro-switch stuck in the engage position. While you are at it I would give the boot/trunk lock a good lube and exercise. You don't want to get caught with a low battery and a frozen lock.

 

Were you sitting in the car and turning off the ignition at precisely the same time as you were opening the door when this happened?

 

Hi WhiteXKR, No, I was outside the car every time I think, and just lifted the door handle
to get in the car, and the top started to go down.

 

As mentioned above spray the lock with WD40 and see if it clears. Next follow Steve’s *WhiteXJR) advice and direction he knows the electrical system well.

 

I agree with Gus's advice to spray the lock with lubricant. Then exercise the lock feature to raise and lower the top a few times with the key.

If the problem persists, I would lean toward it being a pinched and shorted wire in the door, although the door switch is still a possibility as is a faulty door module. Let us know and one of us can give you the specific wire to examine.

 

Okay, thanks Steve, Gus and Vern. I sprayed the locks and exercised the key, but will
try raising and lowering the top with the key tomorrow. That is, unless it lowers itself
when I open the door . . . I was wondering if there would be any harm to removing the
top's fuse for over the Winter, until I have more time to work on it -- I just don't want
the top opening itself in every rainstorm!

 

No harm in removing the fuse.

 

Thanks Steve, I will let you know how it goes tomorrow. Sure appreciate the help!

 

Sounds like the door lock linkage or microswitch is sticking causing the GLOBAL OPEN!!

bob

 

Thank you to all of you for your help and suggestions. It has been 2 days now since I
lubricated and exercised the lock and key, and so far no more problem. I would like to
know which wire is possibly shorting, and where the door module and door switch are, if
someone wouldn't mind posting that. I replaced the window microswitch in both door
panels last summer, and although getting the door latches back in was one of the hardest
jobs I've attempted, I think I could tackle it if this problem recurs. Just hope I didn't pinch
the wire while getting the latch back in last time . . .
Thanks again,
Bob (wabisabi)

 

The top on my my 2005 will automatically open after closing the driver door and locking the doors using the keyfob. Does anyone feel the problem is also related to the know

 

The top on my my 2005 will automatically open after closing the driver door and locking the doors using the keyfob. Does anyone feel the problem is also related to the lock switch?