I have a '98 XK8 conv with 20k miles on it. I've noticed lately that when i put the key in the ignition, the wheel only comes down about click. When I use the manual switch and hold it, it still only comes down 1 click more until I release it and then hold it again. I have to hold/release about 6 times before it then comes all the way down when holding the button. Am I due to a major repair or is there something I can do to cure this?

 

Very common problem!

The tilt mechanism gets 'sticky' from little use or the potentiometer that controls memory use gets a 'dead' spot.

I would first 'exercise' the tilt function and see if that helps. On a 'dead' spot I set the Memory 1/2 on each side of it and wiped it about a hundred times. That seemed to fix it.

Worst case is that the potentiometer truly fails and causes the tilt motor to strip out the 4" cable. $50 part, tilt a lot easier to fix than reach.

'98 with 20k miles . . . great car!