Hey all!

For those who haven't seen my recent couple of posts, I recently purchased an '05 XKR that was sadly submerged up to its windows in the awful Iowa floods of 2024.

Since getting it, I've made extensive progress towards cleaning and familiarizing myself with the electrical systems. I removed all 5 fuse boxes and cleaned them thoroughly, making sure every connection point was bare and free of corrosion. I then replaced every fuse and relay within them. I then cleaned every ground I could lay eyes on from the top side of the car.

Just in doing this, many things have come back to life! My climate control system has power again, but my blower motor does not. My steering wheel moves forward and backwards, but doesn't tilt. My fog light, albeit still plum full of water, fired right back up!

My biggest surprise, though, was the hydraulic pump for the convertible top. When I hooked the battery back up, it started circulating! It sounds healthy enough. However, it won't shut off... It just runs until I pull the fuse. It got pretty warm while I was investigating, and I had to pull the relay from the trunk box to get it to shut down.

My top still doesn't function, I have yet to address the crusty switch by the J-gate
But I'd love to know what you folks opinions would be on where I could go next in trying to trace why the pump isn't shutting down. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

I should say, too; I am not a mechanic, but I've vowed to myself that I am going to do the wrenching on this myself. I will utilize the tools I gave, this forum being the biggest, and figure things out as I go. I have nothing but time and patience to put into saving this car. The very same that I had a poster of on my bedroom wall as a kiddo. So I'm not quite ready to just take it to a shop, though I do have a few on speed dial already lol

Thank you in advance!

Here's a picture of how the trunk looked after I pulled all of the carpet up.

 

In the past I've encountered problems with pumps not running. I was usually able to correct this by raising and lowering the top manually a couple of times with the ignition on. You might try unplugging the pump and trying that, but it may just be a short in a switch or relay causing the problem.

 

I'm going to try this this weekend. I've been searching the forum to find a step by step guide to this, and all I'm finding is how to undo the latch at the top of the windshield. Is it as simple as unscrewing the pressure valve on the pump, releasing the latch, then taking it down? Thanks in advance!

 

I do admire your optimism and fortitude, but these cars have more than enough electrical gremlins without being submerged in water (fresh or otherwise) as well. Good luck with your Sisyphean project!

 

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. The frame locks in the up position and must be unlocked. In one instance I was able to do so by pressing down on the top bow while reaching inside and pulling the bow forward at the pivot. But in my 2006 that didn't work and I ended up removing the three mounting screws on one side which took the pressure off. After unlocking the screws were replaced and the top could be lowered.

 

The lift/lower hydraulic cylinders PULL DOWN on the frame to unlock as RJ237 stated.
When fully UP, the frame 'cams-over' at the hydraulic cylinder upper pivot point.
Forcing the frame will bend the framework and the top will not retract until it is unlocked.

Jaguar included an ALLEN WRENCH at the pump assy mount tray for unlocking the front top latch.
Owners often misplace the wrench but it was provided from the factory.

The wrench access hole is covered with a plastic plug.