2007 XK8 convertible security issue/ non starting

[deek]

Hi all, I would be grateful for advice re. above. I had problems with non closure of the hood and I followed the handbook instructions to reset. Unfortunately, the rear quarters did not go back up. I disconnected the battery and checked the relevant fuses and relays. On trying to start the car, the engine started and then cut out. I now have no response to the starter and no running engine. I am presuming that the security system has been affected in some way, by my meddling. Any advice on a fix would be very much appreciated. Many thanks, Deek.

[andypryce]

Hi Deek,

Is the ignition coming on? Does the engine turnover at all? If not I would suspect the battery is at fault. I don't see how disconnecting battery would affect the security system, are all fuses and relays replaced properly? Start with the simple stuff before assuming something major and potentially expensive! Good luck.

[deek]

Hi Andyprice. Many thanks for your reply. Battery is fairly new and fully charged. Screen illuminates ,red warning 'hood not latched'. No matter how many times I have tried to manually to close the hood, with the allen key, the same message appears. I believe the car is anti theft lockdown, but I am unable to find any procedure that will reset this to normal running. I have a fully comprehensive policy with breakdown assistance, but not at home. The RAC want £150.00 up front, just to look at the car. They don't guarantee a fix with that cost and I also would have to pay a yearly membership fee and a 4 day wait for assistance. Also, if no fix was possible at my home, I am presuming an additional charge would apply to trailer it to the main Jaguar dealer. I am convinced it is a simple reset procedure, but it is a well guarded secret for obvious reasons. Looks like a money pit for something straightforward. Thanks . All the best. Deek

[deek]

Hi Andyprice, good news for me. I looked up an alternative manufacturers public forum. I followed their security advice re. reversal of lockdown/ immobilisation. My XK8 started with a second attempt with a footbrake and handbrake jiggle, or was that just luck !? There is another part to the procedure, but for security reasons and the safety of fellow members Jaguars, I am not revealing that bit. I now only have to close the rear quarters and get that hood latch locked. I will maybe try another vehicle forum and get lucky again. All the best, Deek

[JimMann]

Hi Derek, good that you have found the lockout reset but to reset the convertible top operation, you need to follow the procedure to the letter, i.e. you currently have it nearly closed, but you need to deploy it to fully open position using the manual override procedure and then place everything into the correct position / orientation as described in the manual, before switching on, starting the engine and pressing the hood closed end of the switch. Most important is that the luggage separator needs to be correctly positioned to allow the microswitches to operate and the boot lid MUST be latched closed.
Let us know how your get on.
Jim

[deek]

Hi Jim, thanks for that. I will update you when I have successfully closed the hood and got the quarter lights up. Fingers crossed. The down side of this fault is that it spoils a relaxing drive out with the hood down. Will this occur every time, I think to myself ? A good day spoiled . All the best , Deek.

[andypryce]

Glad you are halfway there at least, once sorted post your solution if you can as it will help others.

[deek]

Hi all , I have tried the reset procedures many times more! I have the hood up ,as I stated previously, but the quarter lights are still down. A much in demand Jag specialist has kindly agreed to sort the quarter lights and when he has the chance later in the year, maybe get a final fix on the hood. I will update you all, in due course. All the best, Deek.

[c.neil59458]

Hi Deek

I had both issues with a completely dead car with the hood down.... now resolved by a new battery even though the battery looked fully charged when checked both by me and the RAC, who I have to say were useless.

I had same issue with hood and went through the reset as per handbook but it would not fully latch so I took out the two chrome studs in the hood mechanism where it folds and managed to get it closed but not latched. I then refitted the two chrome studs, i believe this is called the "overlatch mechanism" and closed the roof manually locking the hood through the small access panel just to get me home.

I then went through the full manual reset as advised in the handbook and by fellow members and have had no further issues. The rear quarters won't close until you re-set the sequencing proceedure exactly.

Good luck and to be honest I could not get it to work at first because I was a bit panickey thinking I had done something costly as I had only just bought the car. When I calmed down and followed the proceedure to the letter it worked fine. Many people have posted that if you interupt the open/close cycle it confuses the electrics and its a "computer says no" moment until you "control, alt, delete" by a manual re-set.

[deek]

Hi all, thanks to Douglas and his team at Prestige Jaguar for the quick fix for the rear quarter lights, which are now up. This has deleted the 'hood not latched' red warning on the dash display. Further investigation will be needed to use the hood regularly. However, the weather has taken a very wet turn here, so no problem at the moment.

[deek]

Hi cneil, meant to get back to you and thank you for sharing similar panic modes. I am of the age where paraffin heaters were fashionable and easy to light and exceptionally deadly. . Maybe I should get back to a 'classic convertible' from Mathewsons ,which were equally easy to maintain and equally deadly . All the best, Deek.