URGENT HELP NEEDED: XK8 Roof Latch

[LittleBro]

Hey,

I'm new to this particular forum, and appologise for my first post being a cry for help.

I have seen on here that one or two of you have had problems with the roof on you XK8/XKR cabs. Well, I'm in that hell right now!

I put the roof down today, when I put it back up, the red warning light came on and stated 'Hood Latch Fail'. I've seen this when I was trying to put the roof down, but on this occasion I was trying to put it up.

What I am left with is an XK8 parked on the road in central London, with the roof not latched down, and the two back wondows down. The latch is not in the raised position and I cant seem to get it to move with the 8mm allen key in the boot.

Any suggestions?

As a side line, do you think the AA would come and take a look at it?

Any advice would be truely appreciated. HELP!!!! I need advice!!!

[LittleBro]

Damn it, I didnt copy the closing line!

"Thanks in advance for your help.

Jamie"

[bobfrance]

I don't own an XK8 so I've no idea I'm afraid, short of checking fuses or re-setting the system by disconnecting the battery for a short while (although I would be wary of doing this on a modern car such as yours).

Are you sure there isn't something physically jamming the hood from closing? (children are very good at jamming things up in the most creative ways)

I also take it you've had a good look through the handbook for clues and tried giving the manual closure mechanism some welly (as bloody mainded stubborness can often pay off)

Once overcame the sticking rear quarter problem on an XJS convertible by thumping the wing.

Sorry I can't be of more help but at least my post will bump the topic to the top of the list again

Best of luck.

[littlebro]

Went to the Jag dealer in Farnham this morn. They were incredibly helpful and managed to close the hood securely, but still the windows are down.

Spoke to my local dealer, and he said to do the fluid thing is a two hour job (@£75/hr) plus parts. The micro switch in the top of the windshield pillar (what the correct name for that?) is £150, just for the part. All these prices are + vat.

I feel I am in for a financial raping in the first fortnight of Jaguar ownership.

[Triple7]

Did you buy private?

If from Dealer get them to do it FOC. Sorry to hear you in the predicament. If the car is an older model out of warrantee take it to an independant.

Arun Jag are nice people in Pulborough. [phone]

[littlebro]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I bought it independant and did the best I could (check history etc etc), but there is no accounting for unlucky faults.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give them a call.

[K.K.]

I had a similar problem with my 1999 XK8. The back windows wouldn't go up after closing the hood. The dealer sorted it out on about 3 occasions. Fortunately I extended my warrenty every year from Jaguar Warrenty Services (tel: [phone]). This was not cheap (about £1,200 if I remember correctly) but it was worth it because a number of things went wrong with the car which would have cost me far more than the price I paid for the warrenty. These are fantastic cars, but they are EXPENSIVE to repair!

Now I own a TVR because I love trouble free motoring (stop laughing please!)

KK

[deej]

Hi,

hoping you've not forked out your own cash for this job yet??

When my roof failed to open and I approached a Jag main dealer, they told me what the problem was (hydraulic fluid failure), that it wasn't a major job (fluid flush and replacement) and would cost £200-300+ to fix. I challenged this, believing that as Jag had mis-specified the original fluid, it should be a 'recall' type job - ie, that Jag should pick up the tab. The dealer disagreed and as the car was well out of warranty, refused to do the work FOC.

I then came across Nik's message re the technical bulletin, got sight of it and noticed the instruction to Jag dealers to carry out the work, which includes "This should be performed on a customer complaint basis only..."

Not having the basic technical nous to do the work myself, I spoke to Jag Customer Services who, after not too much resistance, agreed to pay 100% for the work.

You should give Jag a call on 02476 203834 and don't take no for an answer.

Good Luck.