I know that there are many threads about this (I've read about all of them). We have tried several of the "fixes" to no avail. I will describe when/how the message/problem came about.

We needed to move the car. Turned the key in the ignition, battery was sluggish, but it cranked. However, the door locks clicked a few times and I noticed that the back quarter windows had opened. Then the message appeared. Tried the roof switch to raise the windows...nothing. Tried to lower the top...nothing. We tried all the manual fixes, jump outs, using key in the door, etc. Nothing seems to work. The top is latched securely, but the car doesn't see that it is. We have been able to get the top down and up by jumping it out, but nothing resets the cycle to work with the switch.

Any help will be greatly appreciated...before my husband takes the whole care apart. LOL!

Thanks,
Kari

 

First recharge the battery to a full charge then open the roof and park the latch. After the roof is open do a hard reset on the car then with the engine running push the roof closed button and hold it until the roof is closed and the quarter windows are up.

This car does not like low voltage and when that happens the computers get confused the hard reset will fix that.

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Thanks, Gus. We did as you said. Top gave the signal and went up and into the locked position. I could hear the latch lock. Kept the button pressed but the back windows never went up and we didn't ge the signal that it had completed the process. When I released the button the "hood not latched" message returned. Tried to open the top again...nothing.

I just realized I didn't tell you that this was a 1997 xk8. My apologies.

Is is there a switch somewhere that we can check?

Thanks,
Kari

 

Did the front latch pull the top closed and lock?

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Yes sir. It is tightened down.

 

Kari, I see you're from Ga. Seems like hood can mean roof in some countries. When I unlatch my hood (engine cover) I get a hood not latched message. It's easy enough to hit the release lever with your foot without realizing it. So I just wanted to be sure yours is locked down.

John

 

Johnken,
thanks for the reply but this is definitely something to do with the convertible top. It appears that the process is not being completed (or the system is not recognizing that the top is closed and latched). It won’t close the back windows once the top is closed and latched.

Thanks, again.

 

Darn, I was hoping for a simple answer for you. Like Gus said, this is so often low voltage (not even that low on these cats).

Mind if I ask what the voltage reading is at the under the hood test point? Engine running, engine off? That will include battery post corrosion impact on the readings. Hey dont forget just starting the engine uses so much current that it can impact the computers if battery is failing.

I forget, have you had a chance to have the battery load tested?

John

 

So with the roof going up and the latch grabs the roof and closes/locks tells me that the ram switch is good. Now the security module tells the window relays to operate the windows. I would check your fuse and relays for the windows first and let us know what you find.

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

All fuses and relays test good.

Voltage: engine running 14.15
Engine off 12.63

if we let the pressure off the pump, unlock the top with the Allen key, jump the down relay it will close and lock the top...if the top is released past the hook it will open (jumped). But if you simply unlock it with the Allen key, it will close and lock

 

Battery load tested fine. We have checked the latch switches and they all seem to be working. We have narrowed it down to the "top open" switch which is supposed to be on the right side. Is there an easy way to get to this switch in order to test it? We have tested the pins in the BPM and Security module. This switch is the last thing to check and we can't figure out how to get to it easily.

Thanks for for all your help.

***oops! Should have said "top down" switch.*** Sorry for the confusion.

 

I may have missed it, but not sure if you have the attached doc. See especially the sequence given on page 6 re: closing the top.

 

Dennis,

thanks for the info. But we already had this document. I appreciate your help tho.

 

Update...we have determined through process of elimination, that the "top down" switch on the cylinder is bad. Unfortunately, it is made into the cylinder so the entire cylinder has to be replaced.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

 

I'm thinking you mean the "top closed" switch, correct? (The "top down" switch is elsewhere.) Jaguar nomenclature is an ongoing adventure.

 

Dennis,
you are probably correct...we have looked at every switch and module associated with the darn "hood" (convertible top) that I don't even know my name at this point. All I know for sure is that it is the switch at the bottom of the right (passenger) side cylinder. LOL! This has definitely been a learning experience.

Thanks,

 

Kari,

I'm a latecomer to this discussion, and don't want to mess things up if you've got it sorted. Just one cross-check for you:

The switch you described is (as you first said) the "top down" switch. We get a switch closure there when the top is fully opened, full down. So when opening the top, this switch closure says "top is all the way down; go ahead and close the latch". There is no closure of THIS switch to indicate when the top is fully closed, fully up. But ... there is a different switch, the" top closed" switch, which closes to tell the system "top is all the way up; go ahead and close the latch". Then, after the latch closes, we get another switch closure, the "top latch closed" switch. After this final switch closure, the windows should start to move.

Sorry if this added any confusion. Just something to keep in the back of your mind should the replacement you have planned not do the trick.

 

Dennis,

Thanks for your help and info. However, after testing all fuses, relays, and switches associated with the convertible top, we determined that the top down switch ( located at the bottom of the passenger side cylinder) was bad. It was closed at all times, sending input to the SLCM which confused the BPM and causing the "hood not latched" message to be displayed. We disconnected the switch and was able to operate the top and windows perfectly and the message cleared. So we have ordered a replacement cylinder since the switch is integrated into the cylinder.

We appreciate the vast knowledge and help from everyone on this forum. I hope I don't have to consult it again, but I know where to look if I have issues. Thanks to all who helped us.

 

Kari,

Thanks for the explanation. You have taught me something here. Never would have guessed that a failed-closed top down switch could cause your trouble, but your testing and conclusion seem like an air-tight case. Let us know the final outcome please.