Hi to one and all, just got my first ever Jag yesterday after lusting after one for many, many years. It's a 1998 XK8 in blue with just 63K on the clock. Drove it home last night and had lots of fun with the Sport button and Tractioncontrol off switch!

I've been browsing the site this morning and it's great and answered a few queries but wondered if anyone could help with the following minor niggles. Apologies if the answers are staring me in the face:

1. Is there a good independent Jag specialist that anyone is aware of in the Plymouth area? I see some for other parts of Devon but not Plymouth
2. Remote fob - good idea to get the batteries changed? and if so, I'm guessing an easy job?
3. Screen wipers work but no water on the screen when I press the button - if the wipers work does that mean I can discount a blown fuse? and where are the fuses for the washer wipers please?
4. Drivers seat goes forward, back and lumber thing works but it won't adjust for height, eg, up and down - any ideas?
5. Condensation in headlights - appears to be some simple 'drill a hole' ideas on here to sort that.
6. Very minor point but the passenger side wing mirror shakes a bit at speed?
7 and finally, got lots of paperwork and manuals with the car except for the 'Vehicle care handbook' - followed some suggsted PDF threads on here but they are dead ends or for a diff model?

many thanks in anticipation of any help.

cheers

 

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of Jaguar!

I can comment of a couple of your questions but the others would be just opinions.

1. . . . good independent Jag specialist . . . .

2. Remote fob - . . . batteries changed? Easy job but I don't often fix what's not broke.

3. . . . where are the fuses for the washer wipers please? Separate fuse, Fuse panel charts link below.

4. Drivers seat . . . The seat control module is famous for failing. Swap passenger/driver modules to verify. Some can be repaired some cannot and you will have to get a recycling yard part.

5. . . . headlights - 'drill a hole' ideas work but you can just loosen the clear plastic cover on top of the light fixture on a warm day.

6. . . . wing mirror shakes a bit at speed?

7. 'Vehicle care handbook' . . . often found on eBay and are generally the same for many model years.

 

Sorry, here are the fuse charts.

These are for my '02 but there is not much, if any, difference across the years.

 

What is a niggle???

I am guessing with the niggle comment, you are in England.

6) tap the mirror and if it is loose, you will need to remove the entire mirror and check for a loose mounting, i.e. loose screws or if the mirror is coming off the frame, you will need to completely remove the mirror and reapply an adhesive and reattach.

 

What? Huh?


Oh... you said NIGGLES! Nevermind...

 

Hi, Granty.

Welcome to the world of the XK8/R. Wonderful cars. I bought mine from some people named The Jaguar Specialists in Newton Abbot. These are true Jaguar lovers and have great expertise - they're also conscious of the cost of main dealer components and wherever appropriate are happy to advise on alternative makes. Since they are approved, their stamp 'counts' in your servicing history. Give them a go - tell them that Dave (2002 black/cranberry convertible XKR ) recommended you.

PS. For those of you further away from Browns Lane than those of us in this this little isle of ours, a niggle is indeed a small but irritating problem: in this case, an automotive zit, as it were. We really do need a USA/UK dictionary, do we not?

 

Maybe this is dumb, but did you check to see if fluid is in the reservoir? If there is no fluid, it doesn't work so hot.

Also, while I don't know any independent garages in Plymouth, my wife is from there. I have been there many times with her. Lovely place. She is a Devon girl. Actually my favorite place in England is Cornwall. We go through Plymouth on the way. We stay on the Lizard Peninsula. One of the greatest places on earth.

Jack

 

Yes, granty got Rev all excited by mentioning niggles.

 

Down boy!! LOL

 

no sam..they dont come is pairs