Hi Jeff,

Thanks but I wasn't asking a question - I have had the door cards off, already - and was advising members that these things can be done. I have left the procedure for removing the door cards under the bodywork section.

Keep it up guys!

Alan

These annoying defects can all be fixed but, first, you have to get the door cards off and, unless you know how those are made and come off, that can be tricky and the upholstery readily damaged .

All best.

Rob, Yes, the handbrake "parking brake malfunction" did come up (I seem to remember) but only once I had moved the car. That helped lead my thinking towards being the brakes causing the supposed suspension fault. These advanced technical things are a wonder but, goodness, they don't half complicate ...

Rob,

Yes, HID Origin are the UK people I spoke to, as well (as per the article in JE). They work closely with the company in the USA and are very helpful. Well done for fixing, with new ballast unit.

Alan

By the way, the control units for HID headlights do seem to be sealed "black boxes" (see earlier comments on this BB). However, I don't believe in "black boxes" any more than I do in Father Christmas (now). So, at mention of "black boxes", the angle grinder comes out (or some other tool to open them...

Hello, Defects can sometimes occur on door latches (as Jaguar call them) or electrical locks, in X350s. Main dealers will usually tell you that the whole latch (£750 job per door) needs replacing, even if the fault is only that a connector has corroded slightly and "Ernie the Electron" is just not g...

Hello All, Having had second door internal defect (different defect) and spent silly money at Jag dealership, first time around, 'cos I couldn't find how to get the door cards off, I had a better think, on-line search and go at it. The door cards come in two parts: One (the inner part) will be colou...

Hello Guys (and Gals?), I had an interesting warning come up on the XJ4.2 Sport, with 4 passengers in the car: "Warning - Rear Suspension Low" (or words to that effect). Warned passengers of weight issue (Ho, Ho!) and got them out. No effect - warning still there. Then worked out that the warning ca...

Reference HID headlights, see the article in the Jaguar Enthusiast, this Month (2011 Edition 9 - or September, if you still work on a calendar). Full instructions how to remove and overhaul, including UK and US contacts for obtaining electronic controls, lamps (bulbs) and internal leads at far less ...

Hi Tony, Great source for the oil. The article in this month's Jaguar Enthusiast is very good but does highlight just what you need to do the gearbox oil change job carefully. No point is saving a few bob on the oil change if, by doing so, dirt or other source of contamination is introduced that cos...

John, Joe, many thanks for all the advice. I have now sourced the oil (Note: Esso and other sources say it is the "Esso LT 71141" oil for Jag / BMW ZF gearboxes, not "LT 71741", does one of us have it wrong?) at Wessex petroleum and can provide it for individual JEC members at a decent price - see m...

Hi guys, we use Esso lubricants at work and have an account with Wessex petoleum, from which I can source gearbox oil LT71141 for collection (either Gravesend where I work or Southampton - home). Minimum order is 12 x 1 litre bottles, at £6.50 per litre (inc VAT), or 20litre drum at £6.30 per litre ...

Hi Guys, Could someone please confirm that all XJ8 models are fitted with the ZF 5HP24 gearbox? My car is a 2000 Soverign V8 4.0 litre but the owners vehicle care only lists the gearbox type for the 3.2 litre - helpfully saying simply "5 speed" against the 4.0 N/A and S/C engines. I know that! If it...

Like I said, he doesn't mind at all!

Must get a decent photo of him and put it on the BB, while we have some good weather!

Alan ;-}

My 2000 V8 Sovereign (George) was missing his tool kit, as well, when I bought him. I got one from EBay for about £35 including postage. Funny how the cars and the tool kits seem to be on separate procurement loops - some mean people around! Or was the tool kit an optional extra for those new owners...