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I have a 99 XK8 and am looking for a souce for the center console mounting bracket that holds the Radio, fog light switches and temp controls. It is plastic and like most plastic parts becomes brittle with age, Anyone have any thoughts?
I empathize as I have just gone through this process. If you are super careful when handling the piece, you may be able to get it out whole. More than likely though, it will crack at the center or sides. What stinks is that the housing already supports a single din radio so beyond the trim surround, you shouldn't need to replace it.
That facia looks good. The problem is, how hard is it to get the radio and control panels out? Anyone done this recently?
Sam, It isn't that difficult, just fiddly and there is a fairly high likelihood that something will break due to age.
You need to pull the center armrest, armrest storage bin, shifter trim and veneer, lighter connector and light and then the center console assembly completely out to expose the radio and switches. The radio should slide out if it wasn't completely inserted before, otherwise you may need tools to pop it out. The seat / fogs switch pack unscrews from the front and the heater controls unscrew from the back of the frame. The frame if it hasn't already cracked will likely shatter now that you are putting stress on it. Handle it as carefully as possible and don't bend it as it is extremely thin at its center. There are only four screws to hold the bracket in place and they require next to no torque to keep it from rattling so don't wail on it when you reinstall it.
I'd like to replace my radio as well. I noticed on my 2002 XK8 that in the engine bay a few of the plastic holding tabs are broken from age (one of the fuse box holding clips, some hose clips, etc) so I think the danger of breaking some plastic is pretty high.
This video shows how the clips on the J-gate trim work:
I'm planning to install a Sony radio so I guess I either need to get an adapter harness for the wiring or cut the existing radio wires and splice on the connector that comes with the new radio. I also see there are kits that have the necessary wiring and a new fascia plate for the center console.
Unlike many Jaguar assemblies, there's no brittle plastic clips on the radio mounting and no need to force anything to remove it as it's secured with setscrews.
Removing the gearshift surround trim is the riskiest part if this disassembly.
Unlike many Jaguar assemblies, there's no brittle plastic clips on the radio mounting and no need to force anything to remove it as it's secured with setscrews.
Removing the gearshift surround trim is the riskiest part if this disassembly.
Graham
I’m going to be doing this soon, as soon as I get up the nerve to tackle the risky gearshift trim, as part of the disassembly needed to get my car’s malfunctioning fog light switch panel out.
Any tips you’d care to suggest for the trim, and also the console removal ???
..... Any tips you’d care to suggest for the trim, and also the console removal ???
I covered the veneer with 2 inch wide masking tape to avoid scratches and used an old credit card slid into the gap to release the gearshift trims. Once these are out of the way and the end trim pulled off, all fixings are visible and the console removal is straightforward.
Radio mounting
