I am currently fitting a rear spoiler to my facelift 4 litre convertible. I was fortunate enough to purchase the last Jaguar spoiler kit many years ago which contains comprehensive instructions and stronger boot struts, revised radio aerial etc.

The new aerial is included as a "non-delay, fast-retracting unit". The reason for inclusion is to avoid the inadvertent snapping of the aerial if the boot was opened immediately after turning off the ignition and before the aerial had retracted. There is also included a shorting plug which puts a delay on the boot-lock solenoid to allow the aerial to fully retract before the boot is opened. Jaguar were clearly really concerned about owners not breaking their aerials when a spoiler is fitted!

Whilst I think I will fit the whole kit, I'm intrigued as to how the retraction delay function operates on my current aerial. I have read in various forums that it is controlled by a delay relay. But that really doesn't sound correct for my facelift car. Otherwise, I'm sure Jaguar would just have given me instructions as to how to bypass that function rather than go to the considerable expense of a new aerial etc in the kit? Therefore, I'm presuming that the delay function must be built into the internal aerial circuitry?

Just so I don't miss a simple trick of rewiring the existing setup and avoid having having to fit the new aerial, does anyone definitively know how the radio aerial delay function operates on a late (Jaguar 1994.75 MY) XJS?

Cheers

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

Not sure if this helps but....

The electrical guide for my car (pre-facelift) shows a delay relay (see attached). If it is the same layout for the facelift cars, then presumably you could try bypassing it to see if this gives you instant retraction.

When I bought my car, the aerial motor did not work so I bought a non-Jag replacement (albeit by the same German manufacturer as made the original). The new aerial and the delay function worked fine. As the motor I bought was probably used on a range of cars it seems to suggest that the delay function is external to the aerial motor.

Cheers,
LeeP

 

It was in the pre facelifts, but whether it is on Paul's car I somewhat doubt. I took a look at JCP, Paul, and it showed a relay bracket but no relay!
So, Paul, the best thing would be to get in there and look!

 

Both the 1994 and 1995 V12 wiring diagrams show a direct connection between the radio and antenna, there is no delay relay like the earlier cars. There is an override diode that goes between the antenna and the boot lock switch to provide a ground path, so presumably that signals antenna retraction when the boot is opened.

I have a US market 1994 V12 that was factory fitted with a spoiler, and what I think is the original antenna. The radio has been replaced with another alpine unit, but it does have a delay between the car being shut off and the antenna retracting. Occasionally I need to wait for the antenna to retract before opening the boot.