The memory feature of the seat/mirrors/wheel position on my ‘04 XJR handles the seat and mirrors fine, and moves the wheel out of the way for exit ease, but the reverse is a crapshoot. Sometimes it responds instantly and correctly when you push the memory button; more often, the wheel jerks slightly upwards with a click or mini thump. It will do the same if pushed again, and so on. Sometimes after three to seven tries it catches and descends to driving position. Sometimes it never descends at all, just jerks up and up until it stops even the click/thump. Then you have to drive with the wheel high and flat, like a truck.

is there a way to simply turn the easy exit/entry system off? If not, is there a fuse that powers only the column movement motor? I’d sooner do that than put up with Lucas-like electronics and weird driving positions.

Thanks, TT84

 

Hi TigerTank84,
If you adjust the column to the correct position, just leave the switch in that position, and it won't do the seat back, column away movement when you exit.

Pete M

 

When the column won’t answer the memory button, it doesn’t respond to the switch on the side of the column either. I’ve had it in different positions before without any effect. I’ll try putting it to “pedal adjust” the next time it does work, but I’m not optimistic. I’ll let you know if it works.

 

That's why i never use the seats memory.
Saving the constant wear & tear on the motors.
That way they still work when needed.
Disconnecting the battery, will also clear the seat's memory

 

You'd think so, not without reason, but the reverse problem can also occur: the tracks and/or motors can freeze in their positions when not moved at least periodically. And corrosion can build up on the switch contact points, increasing resistance to the point they do not pass enough current. Moderation in all things. [Well, most things. If I really believed in moderation in all things, I would not be on my sixth Jaguar.]

 

That button on the wheel turns to 3 positions, as well as moving up and down to raise and lower the wheel, and forward and backward to adjust the reach of the wheel. One of those rotary positions is the auto-up and auto-seat-move-back. Another position is do nothing automatically, just allow the column to adjust, and the third position is for adjusting the pedals. Definitely move it away from the auto-exit setting and it won't do that every time you pull the key. I disabled mine because I found it harder to exit the car with the seat all the back than with the seat where I use it.I didn't mind the wheel moving up at all, though.

The memory feature may have some wackiness, though. My memory buttons set everything correctly except it won't raise or lower the right-side door mirror. It will move it left or right, but not up or down, although manual up or down works just fine. (That's still different from yours, because your manual wheel adjustment isn't always working.

As for the bump you mentioned, It's weird, but the steering wheel always makes a slight tick upwards before it moves down, and a slight tick downward before it moves up. Very weird...

 

Hmmm......question to the collective brain...does the steering adjustment motor drive assembly share the same issue as the pedal box adjustment mech which suffers from the plastic drive gear splitting?

I still have that pedal height mech repair to do on mine.......causes no adjustment and a knocking sound and associated bump as the worm gear strikes the split portion of the gear, as the damaged gear relentlessly rotates on the metal boss it is supposed to be bound to.

 

There is a brass replacement gear available from a member in Michigan.
On this site somewhere, replaced both of mine, they work now

 

Wingrider,
Thanks for your knowledge.....can I just clarify with you as I haven't explored that far yet....... the steering column adjustment mechanism employs the same drive gear setup as the pedal height adjustment?
So it is entirely possible it will likely suffer the same gear failure?
If so, is it exactly the same physical gear in both mechs that requires replacement or are there two versions required?

 

Gear does control the brake pedal, just not positive about the steering column
Call & ask about the gear to adjust the Jaguar's brake pedal.
You will wind up talking to the owner, who will answer any questions.
He also has pictures of the installation
Curless Auto Repair 616-988-1315

 

I always worry about replacing a failed piece with a stronger piece, because the failure may have been designed in there as an intentional sacrifice. Something in the mechanism jams up, let's save the mechanism by allowing a cheap part at the beginning of the chain to break. Replace that with something stringer, a similar jam-up in the mechanism will carry damage further into the assembly.

If that part simply got weak with age, no big deal, but if it failed because the geartrain jammed for some reason, that could be a problem.

 

Cheap plastic gear bonded to metal, new one is brass

 

Looks like your sending an email, instead of calling

 

Hi Wingrider,
Thanks for the insight.and info.......I will certainly be reaching out to Curless shortly to enquire about a replacement gear.
Not critical to be done yet, but I am quietly working through a list of fixes to bring the car up to scratch - Cat pun intended! :-)

 

Glad to help

 

FYI, contacted Curless Auto via their Facebook page and they are currently taking orders for the gears prior to getting another batch produced.
So any members out there that are wanting to acquire a gear for a future repair would be advised to contact them and get their name on the list to be included in the next batch production.

 

Fuse, actually. F48 in the cabin fuse box. It's a 40 Amp fuse. I tried just about everything with the switch and the memory, but still had the weird stutter-up instead of gliding down problem. So when for a moment it worked and moved to the driving position, I left the car running, opened the cover and pulled the fuse, which fixed it in place. I was nervous about doing it, since the entry in the book says "Instrument Pack (steering column)" instead of just "steering column," but so far everything else seems fine and functional. If I need to move the column, I can just put the fuse back.