Our 2005 Jaguar XK8 convertible top will not work. took it to the dealership and was told the
pump and all hydraulic lines need to be replaced to the tune of $8k.

I was putting the top down and I opened the 2 front windows and the dash said the top did not latch. It would not go up or do anything. No sound at all. I checked the fuse and it was ok.

In looking at the pump there was a little damp residue below it, any idea what i can do.

 

Many threads here on refurbishing the hydraulic system in these convertible tops (which is essentially what you will have to do). Search the XK8 forum using the term "green shower" and dedicate an hour or two to read up on the process. It is labor-intensive but quite a few of us have done it ourselves. There are several how-to DIY instructions posted here....

 

Try these folks, just did a great job on a members car ,m fly in and supply all hoses and parts needed for $4000.


https://jaguartoprepair.com/

 

Wife, I don't trust dealers. Lets prove it.

A) roof is up
Car running, windows closed.
You press open roof.
1. Do rear windows both go down?
2. Did you hear "ping"?
3. Did front windows drop like when you open door?
4. Can you hear pump running?
5. Did latch unlatch?

B) roof is down; latch is stowed. No message on dash like roof not latched. Put driver and passenger windows up.

Press roof close button.
1. Did front windows adjust down 0.25 inches?
2. Did you hear "ping"?
3. Did latch raise?
4. Can you hear pump motor?
5. Verify for us rear windows are down until roof raises windows latches.
6. Does roof move at all?
7. Does dash say roof not latched?

More status questions:
Is there any hydraulic fluid in pumps reservoir?
Is the stopcock fully closed?

Do you know you can manually close roof. Manually latch roof? Do you have the large roof latch Allen wrench?

Do you need instructions on manually closing roof?

Note: be aware manually operating the roof latch is quite difficult, that is normal. I used a wrench to help last time (gotta love Archimedes:-).

Like I said, just trying to help you be sure its as bad as dealer said. Copy paste answer above questions. Fingers crossed for you.

John

 

Check the relays

 

I second the note about Jaguar Top repair. He came to my house and replaced all hydraulic hoses, rams and refilled with fluids. All in one day. Marvin is great.

 

If you don't hear the pump running when you attempt to move the top the fault is electrical not hydraulic.

 

If the pump is dry, will it still operate? Our neighbor’s convertible had Jaguar replace the hoses to the top latch, but then told her the rams needed replacement. The top hasn’t worked since Jaguar replaced the hoses, and it appears they never filled the reservoir after the repair, telling her she needs an additional $2-3,000 to repair the rams. The pitcock was also in its off position
When weather warms, I’m going to charge the system, and see if the rams are in fact leaking though

 

If the pump is dry it will still run. It will be pretty noisy.
I believe you said you checked the fuse. The 40 amp one, right?
As Kansanbrit said, whatever the state of the hydraulics it looks like something electrical is in trouble.

 

Thanks to all of you for your advice and sharing your experiences. We contacted jaquartoprepair.com as one of the forum members recommended. Marvin spoke to my husband on the phone about the problem and told him he would make sure he had everything that could be needed once he actually saw the car in person. He called back just a few days later and was down here to Florida from Georgia in just a few more days. He was a great guy, explained everything in detail, worked on the car right at our home so my husband could speak with him whenever he wanted. Totally honest about the situation and we are so happy with his work. Not everything the dealership said had to be done was needed, it now works fine and saved us a significant amount of money. Will absolutely recommend him to my other car-loving friends.

 

Ok all, I filled the reservoir with the prescribed fluid, checked the fuses, opened the valve on the pump, and nothing. No motor. The only thing that happened was the right quarter window went down. The pump didn’t activate. I checked the connections to the pump and all was good.
I had to jump the right window for it to go back up. Of course, the Top not Latched warning is still on the display even though I manually locked the top down.
Any suggestions as to what to try next? At least to get the pump to activate.

 

Check the pump fuse and both up and down relays.

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Is the an affordable source for the convertible top motor and quarter window relays. I think I’ll just replace them to be safe.

the fuses checked good.

 

All, I’ve primed the pump, opened the valve, checked the connectors to the motor, checked the hydraulic lines, and nothing happens still except the right quarter window will open (but won’t close unless jumped). No motor sound, no chime, nothing. Has brand new battery as well. The fuses are good. Is there a procedure to check/test the LNA6705AB relays (4) that operate the quarter windows and the open and close of the top with a multimeter?
only display is “Convertible Top Not Latched” (which it is). TIA