Well, there is that pesky behavior you mentioned, something about a 3 second delay in the operation of the reach mechanism after tilt is done. I seem to have that, too. Sometimes. Maybe it could be resolved by cutting that same-purposed wire in the reach wiring. This is really an argument of symmetry.

For me, the reach has been mostly reliable. I say mostly because I do no use a lot of reach for my preferred settings, so when the reach does not work, it is not enough to bother me. But it does not feel like it is working 100%.

 

I spent some time on this aspect this afternoon to see if the modification I did to the tilt system has any effect on the reach system. The answer is that disconnecting the 5 volt supply to the reach potentiometer has no discernible effect on its operation in any mode - key in/out, memory recall, manual adjustment. I've re-connected it.

I suppose the only disappointment is that it also had no effect on the 3 second delay between tilt-up and reach-retract when removing the key. Note that that delay does not occur during the key-in sequence, nor if switching between memory 1 and memory 2, or manually adjusting. Odd, but hardly a problem in comparison with the original stutter.

 

Done. Testing is over. I am calling it. It has been cold for a few mornings, about 18 Deg F, and this solution still works. Since I cut this wires 6 months ago, the tilt has worked _every_ _single_ _time_, no exception. Thanks a lot for this.

 

Alrighty then...mine gets the snip tomorrow. Thanks to all of you.

 

By way of reinforcing FMertz experience, I, too cut those wires maybe six-nine months ago, and have experienced not a hiccup or bad side effect since. I've pretty much forgotten that it once didn't work!

Good luck!

mws out

 

As the instigator of this, admittedly radical solution to the apparently common tilt motor stuttering problem, I thought I too should feedback my own experiences six months down the line!
I'm pleased to say that just like Fmertz and Mikerocosm I have had not a hint of a problem with the system. I would add that my XK8 is my daily driver and the tilt reach system has therefore been cycled hundreds of times since it was modified in both summer and winter.

 

I just bought my first Jaguar (2002 XK8) and even though the tilt function works it doesn't seem to go very high and it's hard for me to slide into the car. Is there anywhere I can look to see how high the tilt is suppose to go to determine if I have a problem or not. Thanks in advance

 

When this tilt motor issues occurs, it is typically in the "higher" range of the tilt. The easiest is to keep pushing the tilt button up to see if the steering column still goes up, one little jerk at a time. This is a push, then release, then push again type of deal. Also, visually, the steering column is all the way up when there is no gap between the upper cowl and the lower part of the instrument cluster. In a sense, it is obvious when it is at the highest point. it could not go any higher. If in doubt about your car, feel free to post a picture and we can comment.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

This happened to me again the other day (really only maybe the 2nd or 3rd time in 8+ years). I hadn't driven the car for a few days and when I put the key in the wheel did not come down all the way. I could get it down by flicking the switch a few times (flick, come down a bit, stop, flick again, come down a bit more, stop, etc.). When I got it down to where I wanted I pushed the switch so it went all the way up and then did the routine to get it back down. After a couple of times it "cleared" itself so that I only had to hold the switch to get it up or down in one smooth motion.

I suspect it was a combination of the car sitting for a few days and maybe the battery not being at max charge.

Doug

 

Well I'm another convert! Have been having intermittent issues with the tilt function at the top of the tile range so I cut the White/blue wire and all is good with the world.

Thanks femtz

 

Ok, mine has been pretty good lately, but the moment it starts having issues again, I'm snipping mine too

 

This fix has been perfect so far for mine...about 6 months now. Prior attempts at removing the spring washer and cleaning old lube crud had been hit and miss.

 

I assume you mean cutting the blue and white wire. I'm going to do that tomorrow.

Butch

 

Yessir, that's been the magic solution for my steering wheel tilt issues.

 

To clarify as to not confuse anyone it's the Blue/White wire in pic from original post.

When you say 'and' it means also... some may think they need to cut two wires (those that don't read the whole thread.

 

I cut the wire this weekend and the tilt works great. Thanks for the tip.

 

The original pic appears to be a white/blue wire as in white wire with blue tracer.

 

Some silly little question referring to the first post from Astromorg: Replacing the BPM instead of disconnecting the connection between the BPM and the tilt motor would also solve that problem?

 

Well spotted! My typo. I hope you noted that I got it right in the main report of my initial investigation!

 

Sorry, but I don't know of any evidence that would persuade me to pursue that option, especially as my current no-cost vasectomy solution continues to provide 100% reliability!