secrets of the Jaguar XK8 or XKR episode 2. Remote roof operation

[@tonyblakeley25]

Just bought a ‘97 soft top. These ‘secrets’ are both fascinating and extremely useful. Thank you.

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad you like them Tony. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine👍

[@timshannon999]

Hi John. Many thanks, lots of secrets I didn’t know. In a show recently I saw the tonneau cover with side flaps on outside of wing, and not tucked in, and thought it looked even neater. Cheers

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Tim. I will go and experiment with mine at the weekend. Not tried it that way

[@chriscollins48]

I already was aware of secret #1 but not #2. As always, thanks for these videos. Greetings from Texas. Please give your baby a cleaning. LOL

[@moimeme3580]

Hi John, love your channel. I have a xk8 and you're helping a lot. Thank you for that.

[@terrybrown2540]

Many thanks - really useful information that saved me going to the dealer for assistance.

[@jackdaniels64]

Such a brilliant channel - keep up the great work! Cheers

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks, will do!

[@Kfxking1]

After watching this video I immediately went into my garage to try this on my xk8 coupe amd was pleased to see it drops the windows aswell

[@ToTheGarage]

Ninjew entertainment 👍

[@kevinetheridge8818]

Ninjew entertainment n

[@ChronicViper]

Pretty slick. Thanks for sharing.

[@skidco1]

Small point: The ton in tonneau is pronounced as in "on" not "own". Great tip and I wish I had known about it yesterday when I had to get the tonneau off and the hood back up in a hurry.

[@ToTheGarage]

👍

[@britishcarfan9601]

I love your car! I love that feature I’ve never seen a car that could have the roof lowered with the key. My dream car is an XK8, I want one from either 1997 to 2000

[@brian8700]

Hi John, Brian here 😊 Having now had my XK8 for a few months,the roof is almost always down. I have on one or two occasions tried to raise the roof with the cover in place connectors still fastened....😜😜😜 fortunately I have stopped myself before the motor kicks in . In order to stop this idiot behaviour I have stuck a small letter T next to the switch to remind me to take the thing off. My question is what would happen if you keep pressing the hood up bottom with the cover in place. Keep the good work up John

[@terrybullas5145]

Hi John love your video I have a 2005 XK8 and am having issues with my rear lights could you advise were the rear light module is please.

[@elliotw1784]

I'm the owner of a jaguar XKR it's about 2003 and I never knew mine wound down the Windows!

[@CathyRiendeau-m5o]

Still haven’t seen how to lower the top manually if the hydraulics aren’t working.. must the Allen key be turned counter clockwise to allow he fluid to move?

[@niguel4438]

Thanks John. Alls news to me. My hood sticks and judders. Do you have anything on how to service the hood and its hydraulics?

[@ThePixilator]

Great tips! Thanks 😙

[@garymoores9604]

Hi John I have a couple of tips. You may know them, but where shall I post them. Didn't want to give the game away here. Gary

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Gary. Thanks for getting involved. ive created an email address for this very circumstance. [e-mail] 👍

[@markmarlow3867]

I can open fine with left drive turning the key to the right. But I can not turn the key to the left without first using the key fob. Then the key turns to the left, but the top does not rise? Maybe some safety thing I'm not observing correctly? When raising with the key to the left does the door have to be open? 2004 XKR. Thank you so much.

[@garydoyle7155]

John I replaced the overhead console bracket and pinch clip as someone had previously fooled with it and screwed up the platsic bracket it pops into - - when I hit a bump the whole assembly dropped and brought the rear view mirror down with it - - this is on an 04 XKR convertible. I found a replacement bracket and the pinch clip that pops the front of the console into place so that is back in place but I cannot find anything on the attachment of the rear view mirror - - it has a rain sensor and is self dimming. I'm not sure if it glues to the round rain sensor piece or if there is a way it locks into it by sliding it into place then turning it to lock it onto the piece still attached to the windshield - - it does not slide up and on like some on the older XK8 s I've seen - - any ideas. Bit by bit I'm redoing anything I have issues with on the car - - I've replaced the upper strut mount and the press in bushing in the bottom of the strut along with the front suspension parts so that the Kat electronic suspension works and the car is back at its proper ride height. I even replaced the braided ground to the battery with a solid wire one as I had heard that can cause sensor codes as they are extremely sensitive to voltage fluctuations. Beautiful car and I want it in tip top condition

[@JLBRADY1]

Went out this morning to pick up my first Jag-u-ar XK8....2003, black with tan interior, 56k and in great (presumably) shape. Although the sweet spot for me has been the 03-06, having discovered your site last week has caused me to send the wife off to her mum's, the kids to camp and the dog to the kennel so that I could concentrate on binge watching your channel. Can not thank you and your fellow enthusiasts enough for all the terrific information you have posted; really looking forward to expanding my knowledge about these great cars. To that end, a question....will turning the key to the left in the door on a 2003 XK8 lower the windows and top as does (apparently) on earlier models? I tried that on the car I planned on purchasing this morning....nothing happens. As if that was not worrisome enough, when we attempted to raise the top the left quarter window froze in position about half way up...whirls and whirls, but something is clearly amiss. Although the owner said he would have the window issue resolved, I still wonder about the key-left-turn-raise-the-top question and would very much appreciate any comments on these issues prior to my eventual(?) purchase of the car. Many thanks in advance.

[@ToTheGarage]

The top should work from the key on that car too. You do have to hold the key turned for about 3 seconds before anything happens. However it may all be linked. The top should not start to operate unless it detects that the rear windows have dropped. So if rear window regualator is repaired then the top down on the key may start to work.

[@JLBRADY1]

John, Thank you very much for the response. Unfortunately, the deal fell through and my search continues. Meanwhile, I will continue to look forward to hearing enjoy your so well done videos P.S. More Molly!

[@thomasestes1558]

Love your videos. Being a yank, I have to do a little translation from the right hand drive Brit design compared to my North American Left hand drive. If you can add any differences on repairs or setup on a Canadian or U.S. model would be appreciate.

[@ToTheGarage]

Interesting!🤔. Cheers Thomas

[@debbieharber6550]

Thanks for this I never knew that about the first secret ...I’ve always got in my car to lower the roof ..I never use the cover because living in England you never know when it’s going to rain ,so if it does I can just slow down and put the roof up

[@ToTheGarage]

I only fit it for very long runs and when I'm at a show to make her look prettier🤫

[@skidco1]

I always put it on as it stops wind and UV damage to the more fragile under roof parts.

[@viraf21]

I have just discovered that you can put the roof up using the same method. You turn the key clockwise(lock position) and keep it there until the roof locks and windows come up. Basically the exact opposite of putting it down with the key.

[@ToTheGarage]

👍😁

[@tanguydevillenfagne6358]

Hi John, I have bought a XK8 of 2005 celebration serie; all was working fine until now after a few km drive where the cruise control dit not work. The alert said Cruise control not bailable and the same time got an alert that a rear lamp was burned although this was not the case. The garage change the little brake switch but the cruse control is still not working. Any idea about the issue? T

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Tanguy if you have fitted LED bras light bulbs this can cause the problem. Then check for a bad earth on brake light cluster. The cruise control won't operate if it senses any fault with the brake lighting circuit as that is how it turns itself off. If brake lights appear to be working correctly. How about high level brake light? Lastly try a hard reset to clear the cars memory of the brake light fault. Basically whatever caused the brake light to blow (unless it just failed through age) will still be the route of your problem. The cruise control cant blow the bulb but the bulb can upset the cruise control.

[@tanguydevillenfagne6358]

@@ToTheGarage Hi John, Thank you very much for your help. I just bought the car under guarantee (not for all but general) the garage first told me that the car did not have a cruise control which I could argue against since I used it. I told them exactly what you said i.e. that the two issues were most probably linked. They checked again and ultimately solved it. It was super to get your confirmation of how things work and are connected. If I may I have now two other issues 1) I tried to connect the opening of my garage to the roof buttons. I tried the procedure 4 times without success??? The memory cleaning procedure went well with the light double speed working correctly but the new (my garage door) memorising procedure did not. Any insight on this? 2) When I try to set the head support of the seat at the adequate height I push the electric buttons up and down but the head support does not move while there is a electric motor noise as if the mechanic was derailing. Actually when I lift the button the bring forward the seat back I hear the same noice without any movement. Do you think the device is broken? Is there a possibility to repair or will this damage the seat? Thanks for your insight Tanguy

[@johnpower4705]

John, great channel, very informative, ihabe learnt so much. I have a 2001 XKR convertible. Would you be able to point me in the right direction as I do not have a tonneau cover. The prices on e bay are ridiculous ?

[@skidco1]

www.adamesh.co.uk/jaguar-xk8--xkr-tonneau-cover-1247-p.asp

[@tammychambe2663]

i need help filling the hydraulic fluid? what do i do first?

[@chrismillar6404]

I have a 2002 XKR Convertible, just love it. 62K :-) how do you replace the seat belt clasp (female part) ???

[@ToTheGarage]

front seat?

[@IanHomalley]

I have the same issue with a broken drivers side female clasp. Can you answer? Thanks!

[@FederalTracks]

what do u press for "remote operation"

[@viraf21]

Great information again. Does anyone know if there is any way of lowering the roof remotely ie from a distsnce with the fob?

[@ToTheGarage]

Good question Viraf and the answer is yes. Here is an article for you to look at that shows how. Unless you are very handy with electronics though you will need to buy a little box of tricks as described in the article. drive.google.com/file/d/1wPCqpG1H2ZqjIV2bu2NXgJta-P27twI4/view?usp=sharing

[@viraf21]

@@ToTheGarage Thanks. No sooner than i ask that question thsn my hiid goes pop. One if the hydraulic cables from the pump end has come loose from its fitting. Will need to fix that first. If anyone has any suggestions that woukd be good especially in what fluid the pump needs and if i need to bleed it.

[@FederalTracks]

i wish i could show u my car beeeaautiful one of the most beutiful xk8s out the rims i have are rare it just looks so beautiful

[@ToTheGarage]

send me a pic to. [e-mail]

[@owensellazzo255]

can you post them i’m looking at something of the same possibly

[@markmarlow3867]

How did you raise the roof outside the vehicle?

[@ToTheGarage]

Turn and hold the key All the way clockwise in the door lock (On a RHD car)

[@markmarlow3867]

@@ToTheGarage I have left drive. I turned tge key clockwise, held it and the windows and top went down. Took a drive parked in my garage turned the car off got out closed the door inserted key to raise top. The key will not turn left counter clockwise unless I look the door with the key fob. Then it will turn left but do nothing. Very odd.

[@antonihalainen9099]

Thank

[@FederalTracks]

mines looks like urs except it has head rest and a tan top and rare rims its immaculate 2004

[@charlesekalo8242]

Manual reset for convertable top jaguar xk

[@zzhughesd]

Aston Martin roof?

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Dan hug hes Its the Aston Martin DB7 roof on the convertible

[@zzhughesd]

@@ToTheGarage Thanks, shocked didn't know the DB7 tie-in with XKR and in the car job and sold a couple

[@ToTheGarage]

Yeah its a cool fact isnt it. DB7 borrowed the XKR's platform and all major super structure. The engine and the outer body panels are of course quite different, but if you ever have the chance to park next to a DB7 its quite a shock when you realise just how alike they are.

[@billgarrison1089]

PLEASE talk into you mike. It's hard to watch your videos when you have to turn the sound up and down. Don't you review them?