Okay, dumb question. I want to know if my car will explode if I remove a relay while the battery is connected.
Actually, I want to remove two at once.
Any advice?
Thanks

(Why I'm asking. The rear quarter windows on my convertible XK8 went down while I was checking the top hydraulic hoses for a leak -- and now they won't go up. I can jump the relay for each individually but as soon as I reconnect the battery, that window goes back down. ie., I want to try raising them both while the battery is connected. The convertible top is now closed and locked but it needs new fluid to operate. )

Just kidding about exploding. Joking prevents pulling hair out.

 

As this is a convertible top issue, I've moved your question from General Tech Help to XK8/XKR forum for advice from members here with the same model.

Graham

 

I can't see why it would do any harm.
From your description, it sounds as if the windows would start working properly again once the fluid is added and the top is working properly again. Are you not able to finish the job for some reason?

Richard

 

Hi. Thanks for your reply.

I assume you meant "can't" see why it would do any harm.

The immediate question is about the relays. --> Can I safely pull relays while the battery is connected? <--

Seems like I could but I'm not a mechanic and I've assumed myself into $2,500 problems before.

So I've stopped trouble shooting until I know if I can take a relay out, jump the socket to make the left rear window go up, then replace the relay, pull the relay for the right window, jump it to make that window go up, all with the battery connected.

Disconnecting the battery before pulling the relays hasn't worked because when I reconnect the battery, the window I got to close opens again. In other words, both windows work, I just can't get them to work at the same time. A long explanation to say I'm being overly cautious.

If that makes sense to anybody, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

Hi, Graham.

Thanks for looking out for me but the post is a general question about automobiles. It isn't about the convertible top or the type of car.

But, no big deal, you know best. I just thought I'd ask a broader audience a ridiculously simple question:

---> Is it okay to pull and replace relays while the battery is connected? <---

Thanks!

 

Sorry ... yes, I meant can't do any harm.

Richard

 

My apologies - I thought seeking relay advice was only by association in your efforts to troubleshoot the window issue.

Graham

 

FWIW
On a regular basis, I pull both of my fuel pump relays (02 XKR) then jump each of them to check that they are both able to pump and to give them some exercise, else they may become pickled. I have never disconnected the battery in order to do so.

 

Thanks to all. Appreciate the wisdom.
OK

 

Why do you want to replace the relays after closing the windows? From your description it sounds like they will just open again as soon as you put the relay back, Wouldn't it be easier to disconnect the battery, take the relays out, reconnect the battery then jump the socket to close the windows? You can replace the relays once you have resolved the fault.

 

from your description, you are jumping the relays with the battery out ? How do the windows move without the battery connected ? Or do I just need
more coffee.

 

Lol, I've obviously had too much coffee. I wonder why his windows keep opening, unless I've missed something?

 

I did on my convertible because my right quarter window was erratic. Solved the problem, no issues.

 

Sorry, I realize this thread is a tad ambiguous.
Like, how would it be possible to close the windows with the battery disconnected? My description was inadequate.

Obviously, I'd had too much coffee.

Here's the story. Right now, I'm on vacation way up in the mountains. I was checking to see if there's a fluid leak at the latch. I cranked the top down manually while the windows were down and (I now know) that caused the top and the windows to get out of sync. I got the top back up but the windows would not operate. So, I had to get the windows up before I could drive off this freezing 9000' mountain and diagnose the problem properly. I knew I could jump the relays but being congenitally oblivious, I wasn't 100% sure I could pull a relay while the battery was connected.

It's no problem because I did it. The windows are up. All good.

Except -- when I get back to civilization, I need to top-off the hydraulic fluid and inspect the hose at the latch. The top was struggling to open. Don't ask why I was opening the top in freezing weather but remind me not to do it again.

So thanks for your help. The forum saves my a$$ again.

Now, if anybody knows how to reset the top and rear windows, let me know. Somebody said the computer resets, or gets "in sync," when the top is all the way open. Somebody else said no.

 

Have you read through all the information on Gus's site (this is the main menu):-

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

This is the page where you should start troubleshooting:-

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

Good luck!

 

Thanks, dibbit. I have visited this site in the past but I was too panicked to look hard enough this time.

 

There is a huge amount of information on that website, that's for certain. If the roof mechanism is all working and it is just out of sync, you need to open the roof fully with the windows down, make sure the latch is fully retracted, then do a hard reset (disconnect battery and hold the cables together). The roof, windows and latch should now all be in sync.