Hi Guys.
I have an issue with the roof latch on my 2000 XKR conv, it will not release under power and if i try using the allen key method the latch will partially open and then feels like it hits a mechanical stop. The pump runs as normal and the rear windows retract. I can relatch and close with the allen key and the windows close. If feels like there is some sort of interference not allowing the latch to open fully and as the latch is not fully open it wont give the signal for the top to retract.Tried with the petcock both open and closed. Pump seems fine, fluid is at correct level and no leaks to speak of. I'm a bit stumped on this one, cant find anything specific on the forum.
Thanks

 

Sounds like a mechanical problem in the top rams. Gus has a lot of info in his repair section at the beginning of the forum.

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

This is just some of the things that can do you in, but shows where all the stuff is located.

Wayne

 

What color is your hydraulic fluid? Reports are that the green Pentosin fluid is much improved over the older yellow fluid. The yellow fluid tends to gel and gum up after a number of years. If you have no leaks, perhaps fresh fluid is your answer. As recommended, do some reading at Gus' site. Good luck and keep us posted....

 

Managed to get the roof down under power by using a combo of the switch allen wrench and dumb luck. Whilst it was open I checked out the latch mechanism, it looked good, no obvious snags to the linkage etc, cycled a few times with the allen wrench seems to function OK. I would like to replace the hydraulic fluid, is the a non OEM alternative I can use?
Thanks

 

Pentosin 11S is available from many places.
BMW and many German cars have used this fluid for a long time.

About $20 per liter it will fill and bleed your system with one tin.

bob gauff

 

Have you checked the fluid level? If it is good the latch piston has had a tendency to push the piston seal out and that might be the problem. Spray the latch piston with WD40 and see if it works any better. FYI you can have the latch rebuilt. It is possible that your pump might have an issue but for now I would focus on the latch and fluid level.

 

latest update.

After "dry cycling" the latch mechanism a number of times and applying silicon lube from a spray can to all the joints on the latch and roof that I could see, I closed the petcock and started the engine and pressed the roof close button. The latch and roof operated perfectly, just to make sure I cycled the roof another 5 times with no issues.

Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions each helped in their own way.

Gus your repair sections are invaluable.

Fluid looks ok, however I will replace with Pentosin as a preventative measure.

 

If you have a 2000MY car then you already have Pentosin 11S in the system.
The YELLOW 'univis' was used VIN 001001 to 037188.

bob gauff