Hey guys,
My first post here. I have a 2001 XK8 convertible. Every now and then after I shut off the car and lock it, the car will lower all the windows and the top by itself. This is no joke, and it beats all I've ever seen! I searched on here to see if anyone else had the same problem but came up empty handed. Anyone have any Ideas?


Brian

 

Are you locking it with the key or the remote? If with the key, be aware that the top can be lowered by holding the key in the unlock position. There might be a problem with the micro switches in the door lock.

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Yes! Did it do that with the key or the remote?

 

I have never used the key to lock the car. Several times it did this in the garage after I went in the house. I thought my kids were playing tricks on me. I wouldn't have believed it except one day I pulled in the garage, shut the car off, got out, closed the door, and heard the Windows go down. I turned around and the hydraulics came to life. I have gone into a store, locked the car with the fob, and come back out to find the top and windows down. I figured there must be a relay that begins the process, but haven't really dug too deep yet. It's quite comical to be honest, but I would like to get to the root of the problem. Maybe I have "Christine" re-incarnated as a Jag!

 

Does the top ever go up by itself, or only down?

When you raise and lower the top using the rocker switch, does all that go normally?

Check that rocker switch. I've never heard of this, but I suppose it's possible it is shorting intermittently in the "down" direction.

And finally ... one of the members here makes a kit which enables the top to be raised and lowered using the key fob. Any chance such a kit is installed in your car?

Good luck, this is a weird one!

 

The top functions normally with the rocker switch, and has never tried to put itself up. It is possible someone installed a kit in it. I'm the second owner, and I never met the guy who owned it before me, so I don't have anyone to ask. Just was wondering if anyone else had the same "gremlins"! I will figure it out in the spring after I replace all the hydraulic lines. I will post my findings when I figure it out. Thanks for the responses! It is nice to have the knowledge that is here on the forum.


Brian

 

I have attached the operating instructions for the remote top, in case you have it installed.

Basically you press the headlight button on the keyfob, and then the lock or unlock button to operate the top.

Do you think you are intentionally or unintentionally pressing the headlight button on the keyfob sometimes?

 

I could have pressed the headlight button prior to locking the car, but I'm not really sure. I will try it later and let you know. Thanks for the info!


Brian

 

I tried the remote top function you described, but nothing happened. I'm going to assume I do not have the remote top kit installed. It has been a few months since the last "phantom top incident ", but I'm sure it will be back.

 

OK.

First of all the top can only operate with the ignition off when directed by the electronic module in the door. The console switch will not operate the top with the ignition off. The electronic module is signalled by the door lock switch when it is forced under spring pressure in the unlock direction.

Because of this, the problem seems as if it will be in the driver door: either the door lock switch, driver door module or the wire that connects them.

I would start by carefully inspecting the wire that connects them in the door. It is a brown wire with a green tracer that runs from the BLACK connector on the door module to the ignition switch. Perhaps the insulation has chafed off of this wire.