XJS Convertible Top

I hope someone can give me some insight into a little problem that has developed with my 1994 XJS Convertible... I've had the car about six months and all is/was fine. I drive it only about once per week. So anyway, a few weeks ago the convertible top raising and lowering got slow, real slow. Then yesterday is stopped although (with the top in the down position, naturally). I was able to raise it and latch it down "manually," but I'm worried that I'm facing a large repair bill to get the electrics working correctly again.

My question: Is this something that can typically be repaired and/or adjusted, or am I looking at having to replace some expensive parts? I'd like to be armed with some info before I take it to a repair shop where they are likely to just tell me that (a) everything has to be replaced and (b) it's real expensive, and (c) you have no choice. Are they right, or do I have options? Thanks for any insights. About what does this typically cost?

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AHCUSA:
I hope someone can give me some insight into a little problem that has developed with my 1994 XJS Convertible... I've had the car about six months and all is/was fine. I drive it only about once per week. So anyway, a few weeks ago the convertible top raising and lowering got slow, real slow. Then yesterday is stopped although (with the top in the down position, naturally). I was able to raise it and latch it down "manually," but I'm worried that I'm facing a large repair bill to get the electrics working correctly again.

My question: Is this something that can typically be repaired and/or adjusted, or am I looking at having to replace some expensive parts? I'd like to be armed with some info before I take it to a repair shop where they are likely to just tell me that (a) everything has to be replaced and (b) it's real expensive, and (c) you have no choice. Are they right, or do I have options? Thanks for any insights. About what does this typically cost?<hr></blockquote>

Do the rear quarter windows Go up and down? I'm not an XJS expert but I think there are four relays that control power to the Top (up/down) and the windows. It does sound like the motor which is notcheap if you go to a dealer, but you could probably get one second hand and install yourself. You might want to disconned the normal connector to the motor and "hot wire" to see if it operates. Do you have a manuel?

Basil

Yes, the rear windows go and and down as they should. And the funny thing about the top is that it didn't just stop working like most electrical components just STOP when they go. Instead, the top got slow and now hardly moves when actuated. It's like battery is too weak, rather than like a a burned out electric motor.

Don't have a manual... why would I need a manual for a car a mere eight years old with only 57,000 miles!

Sounds like my first bank-busting repair job, at least with THIS Jag... alas, I owned a Jag before. "The triumph of hope over experience" is the operative expression, I believe.

I just had an epiphany! When you mentioned it didn't just die like a normal motor it hit me. I am pretty certain that it used a pump to pump Hydrolic fluid and what you described sounds like you are low on fluid (and thus probably have a leak. I think the pump on those things is somewhere in the trunk SORRY..boot! On one side or the other. Find the pump and inspect for leaks. If that's what it is (and it sounds like a fair bet upon re-thinking your symptoms), it might not cost you a nominal egg to get it fixed. (Then again, we are talking about Jag dealers) Good luck and keep us posted!

Basil