Door Latches / Electrical Locks / Electric Windows

[AlanC]

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 getting through.

Usually, the latches (the electrical actuators) are pretty robust, so it is worth taking door cards off (see my note under bodywork) and investigating / fixing with a bit of fine emery cloth or your wife's nail file and some penetrant.

Ditto for faults with electric windows.

If successful, you'll be able to afford a replacement nail file for the good lady and put the useful one in your tool kit. Oh, and take her out for dinner, by way of thanks. She'll maybe forgive you, then.

Good Luck.

[jeff1954]

Just goes to show that old fashioned remedies still work ie. strpping down and cleaning even with our Hi Tech cars.

Jeff.

[J44EAG]

If I get electrical gremlins on a modern Jag, the connector on the offending item is ALWAYS the place I start to investigate first.

A careful clean up with spray switch cleaner can work miracles. A smear of vasaline or electrical grease, and the service can sometimes come back on line. I don`t like using WD40 in such circumstances as it`s properties degrade in a very short time and problems can reoccur later in time.

Corrosion has much to answer for. A resistance hot spot caused by galloping galvanic action can frequently bring proceedings to a halt. "Eric the Electron" has little sense of humour where corroded connectors are concerned. See Bob Bates recent article of cable and connections on an S-type recently.

Mike

[jeff1954]

Yep your right Mike a lot of people will take there cars to a garage before they even think about lifting the bonnet ect and looking for the obvious.

Jeff

[AlanC]

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.

[jeff1954]

Hi Alan
Ask the question on here under the bodywork section i`m shure someone will know.

Cheers Jeff.

[AlanC]

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