I was watching a To the Garage video about opening the windows and the roof by turning the key anti-clockwise in the lock. Tried it on my car, 2000 XK8, and it doesn’t work. My car is US spec. And idea if this should work?

 

Rishi, did the windows drop? If alarm was on it should disarm.

Try a test. Use key to arm alarm Wait!!! US car?????

Then its left hand drive. Turn the key clockwise to disarm, drop windows open roof.

John

 

Thanks. Tried that but the windows do not drop. The key also only turns 1/8 not 1/4.

 

How long did you hold it in the turned position? It should start dropping windows and top within a few seconds.

 

Turn the key HARD past the lock/unlock point. It takes a bit of force.

 

I tried for a long period. I will give it another try today turning harder but it really feels like a stop at 1/8 of a turn.

 

Just tried again with considerable force but it wont go by the 1/8 position.

 

My minor query has become a real problem. I was literally watching a video yesterday about leakage around the latch and today I find a drop of fluid by the screen between the two interior lights. Tomorrow I need to dismantle it to see if it’s a hose or the latch cylinder.

 

Rushi, if you're going to pull the interior light pod down - go slow. That plastic wants to break on you.

John

 

Thank, i will take care. I hate pulling everything apart, something always breaks!

 

How right you were. The metal clamp has barbs that dig into the plastic so well I reckon its pretty much impossible to get out in one piece.

 

Found the problem. The key does not unlock the car. It does lock the car so I can use it to close all the windows but it simply does not lock the car. Next job!

 

Solved!

This forum is like alchemy! Read a few articles and discovered it was all mechanical. WD40 in the lock, waited a bit. Jiggled the key around and now it works. Not every time but seems to be getting better and better. So much easier putting the roof up and down from outside.

Many thanks to this wonderful forum!

 

Get a tube of powdered graphite. By far the best lock lube on the market....