I am able to lower the top and windows on my '03 XK8 convertible with the key in the door lock but I cannot reverse the procedure (raise the top) with this method.

Does this require a different technique for my car? Is this feature not available or different on different model years? Is something not working on my car to allow it to do this?

If anyone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

While the Owners Handbook says the top may be lowered or raised with the door key, my key will only open it. ('02)

 

I must assume that you can close the roof with the button. I know this is a silly question but when you turn the key to close are you holding it to the counter clockwise position. At times the windows and roof will take a few moments to operate.

 

mine goes both ways, just saying. I suppose she's bi then by definition.

 

Clockwise = open
Counter clockwise = close

Also note that as a final step, the closing sequence locks your doors and sets the alarm.

This worked on my old 4 litre XK8 and on my current XKR. You should see action within the first 5 seconds.

 

Gus - yes the top opens/closes with the console button, it also will open with the key in door turning clockwise. This drops top, wing windows and both door windows.

My key WILL NOT turn counterclockwise (wait- let me get some vice grips and a 12" cheater bar lol). For those of you who can turn counter clockwise and raise the top; is this the "new" style computerized key?

Strange b'cause my car is the same as Waterboy (same color too....)

 

I am with Robrtx...my 2002 XK8 only allows the key to turn clockwise and lower the roof. It will NOT turn counter clockwise

 

1999 XK8 - turn key clockwise, roof drops, turn key counter clockwise roof closes. Though I sometimes hesitate to do this as much as operate with the interior switch. I feel better having the car running when I operate the roof just for the battery drain. Never had any issues with the electrical, just read too many posts of people that have experienced gremlins from a low battery.... But the key in the door is a very convenient and in my opinion a somewhat classy way to operate the roof.

I have wished you could do it with remote fob in the same manner.

 

insert, jiggle, then counter-clockwise

 

jiggle?

Is that an engineering term?

 

jiggle= manipulate back and forth in a somewhat erratic manner. Here is what you get when you Google the word jiggle. This is actually pretty good! http://www.google.com/search?q=jiggl...ient=firefox-a

 

What does your operators manual say for that year car?

 

My 2001 XK8 does both the open and close operations. No jiggle required.

 

Eureka!!!

The "jiggle" method worked !!! A case of operator error>

Thanks for the input.

Gus

Operator's Manual States: "Note: The convertible top can also be opened or closed with the door key."

And now I know it is correct!!

 

The first time I tried this, there was a little resistance to the counter-clockwise turn, as opposed to the clockwise. So that is probably what you were feeling. It doesn't get alot of use, so that mechanical operation requires a little jiggle, and about 2x the force. Glad you got it to work!

 

Maybe the lads in Coventry should have put in the owner's manual:

"Insert key in door then give it a jolly good jiggle"

 

that is give THE KEY a jiggle.........

 

..Yep count me as another one who got it to work.

THANKS!

 

..groovy, another convenience feature discovered by an owner! lol

 

Good info for myself too... i knew about the counter-clockwise to put the top up and lock it up.. never knew that it will take it down on the clockwise.

Thanks ALL!