Problem#7
Status: Open
Description: Surface rust underneath
The dealer indicated that the car did sit outside for “a while” and the undercarriage does show some surface rust. I did not notice anything extensive or deep when the car was on the lift, but it turns out that I didn’t notice a lot of things. This will be just a place holder for various touch-up efforts underneath.
1991 Jaguar XJ-S
Moderators: MostMint, wxo, Fred32v, Basement Paul, ttamrettus
Problem#8 - wood panels degraded
Problem#8
Status: Closed, center console replaced with vinyl 11/26/24, wood panels refinished 12/28/24
Description: Wood panels degraded
Wood is a stupid material to use in a car. If I wanted to be a cabinet maker, I wouldn’t have bought a classic car. The center console is a disaster. It is a large expanse of thin veneer glued to a metal sheet with numerous odd angles and cutouts. The thin veneer has buckled and cracked, as most of these do.
The dash panels have cracking of their own, but those are thicker pieces or perhaps wood backing with veneer. I think the cracking on those is just the glossy finish so they could be sanded and refinished.
The door panels look good. This is where the dilemmas of what I want for the car begin. The car, so far, appears to be all original. Fixing that center console to original would require finding a reasonably matching piece of veneer to replace the failed material. Right now, I am tempted to cover that backing plate with black leather (likely fake from a fabric store) to match the dash. I would probably also eliminate the ashtrays (quaint feature, but there would be enough space to set a phone or wallet on the center console if those were removed. Purists might not like that at all, but I suspect that a future buyer could easily remove my leather, install veneer, and put the ashtrays back in. Keep it original or make it better? That will always be a question.
Status: Closed, center console replaced with vinyl 11/26/24, wood panels refinished 12/28/24
Description: Wood panels degraded
Wood is a stupid material to use in a car. If I wanted to be a cabinet maker, I wouldn’t have bought a classic car. The center console is a disaster. It is a large expanse of thin veneer glued to a metal sheet with numerous odd angles and cutouts. The thin veneer has buckled and cracked, as most of these do.
The dash panels have cracking of their own, but those are thicker pieces or perhaps wood backing with veneer. I think the cracking on those is just the glossy finish so they could be sanded and refinished.
The door panels look good. This is where the dilemmas of what I want for the car begin. The car, so far, appears to be all original. Fixing that center console to original would require finding a reasonably matching piece of veneer to replace the failed material. Right now, I am tempted to cover that backing plate with black leather (likely fake from a fabric store) to match the dash. I would probably also eliminate the ashtrays (quaint feature, but there would be enough space to set a phone or wallet on the center console if those were removed. Purists might not like that at all, but I suspect that a future buyer could easily remove my leather, install veneer, and put the ashtrays back in. Keep it original or make it better? That will always be a question.
Last edited by AKROVER on Sat Dec 28, 2024 7:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Problem#9 - Sun visor clips broken
Problem#9
Status: Resolved (see 10/23/24 post)
Description: Sun visor clips broken off
The fact that both sun visor clips are broken off is something that adds to my suspicion (and hope) that the headliner has already been replaced. New clips are on the way for $53.80. Now I am finding the joys of expensive parts.
Status: Resolved (see 10/23/24 post)
Description: Sun visor clips broken off
The fact that both sun visor clips are broken off is something that adds to my suspicion (and hope) that the headliner has already been replaced. New clips are on the way for $53.80. Now I am finding the joys of expensive parts.
Last edited by AKROVER on Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Problem#10 - license plate lights deteriorated
Problem#10
Status: Resolved - see 10/28/24 post
Description: rear license plate lights deteriorated and not working
If I never drive after dark, this really isn’t an issue. The original parts are apparently available, but the installation requires significant disassembly. It appears to me that I could easily mount some cheap lights on the old metal housings and direct wire them in.
Status: Resolved - see 10/28/24 post
Description: rear license plate lights deteriorated and not working
If I never drive after dark, this really isn’t an issue. The original parts are apparently available, but the installation requires significant disassembly. It appears to me that I could easily mount some cheap lights on the old metal housings and direct wire them in.
Last edited by AKROVER on Mon Oct 28, 2024 7:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Problem#11 - fog lights not working
Problem#11
Statis: Closed 2/8/25
Description: fog lights not working
One quirk of the car is the five-position headlight switch: off, parking, headlights, headlights plus fogs, fogs only. I guess I remember fog lights being cool back then and factory fog lights had to be even cooler, but who drives with fogs only? I haven’t investigated if this is electrical or bulbs. The passenger housing has been repaired and looks a little rough. The 1991 factory installation should be Hella fog lights and there are inexpensive bulbs available. Not a priority as I might never use them.
Statis: Closed 2/8/25
Description: fog lights not working
One quirk of the car is the five-position headlight switch: off, parking, headlights, headlights plus fogs, fogs only. I guess I remember fog lights being cool back then and factory fog lights had to be even cooler, but who drives with fogs only? I haven’t investigated if this is electrical or bulbs. The passenger housing has been repaired and looks a little rough. The 1991 factory installation should be Hella fog lights and there are inexpensive bulbs available. Not a priority as I might never use them.
Last edited by AKROVER on Sat Feb 08, 2025 6:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Problem#12 - Dome light not working
Problem#12
Status: Resolved (see 10/23/24 post)
Description: dome light not working
The dome light doesn’t look seated properly in the headliner, another clue that the headliner might have been done. The light is not working even though the other interior lights on the c-pillars are. Either a bulb or wiring problem.
Status: Resolved (see 10/23/24 post)
Description: dome light not working
The dome light doesn’t look seated properly in the headliner, another clue that the headliner might have been done. The light is not working even though the other interior lights on the c-pillars are. Either a bulb or wiring problem.
Last edited by AKROVER on Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Problem#13 - windshield chip
Problem#13
Status: Resolved (see post on page 3, 10/18/24)
Description: windshield chip
I did not notice this when I bought the car so I think it happened on transport. It looks really minor so I will just buy another of the GMJohnny recommended window repair kits and hope it doesn’t run. It is very high and nearly center, basically behind the rearview mirror.
Status: Resolved (see post on page 3, 10/18/24)
Description: windshield chip
I did not notice this when I bought the car so I think it happened on transport. It looks really minor so I will just buy another of the GMJohnny recommended window repair kits and hope it doesn’t run. It is very high and nearly center, basically behind the rearview mirror.
Last edited by AKROVER on Fri Oct 18, 2024 12:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Problem#14 - Windshield washers don't work
Problem#14
Status: Open
Description: Windshield washers don’t work
I did not hear a pump trying to run when I tested, but I might not from the driver’s seat. Could even be lacking fluid as I haven't checked.
Status: Open
Description: Windshield washers don’t work
I did not hear a pump trying to run when I tested, but I might not from the driver’s seat. Could even be lacking fluid as I haven't checked.
Problem#15 - Driver's mirror won't move left/right
Problem#15
Status: Open
Description: Driver’s mirror won’t move left/right
The joystick controls for the mirrors work for up/down on both mirrors and left/right for passenger. Not a priority as current left/right setting on driver’s mirror works for me.
Status: Open
Description: Driver’s mirror won’t move left/right
The joystick controls for the mirrors work for up/down on both mirrors and left/right for passenger. Not a priority as current left/right setting on driver’s mirror works for me.
Problem#16 - Driverr's lumbar not working
Problem#16
Status: Open
Description: Driver’s lumbar adjustment not working
The seats have lumbar adjustments that I think are the old school inflatable type. I can hear a pump running, but feel no changes. Not a priority. Probably will never even look at this unless I put new covers on the seats.
Status: Open
Description: Driver’s lumbar adjustment not working
The seats have lumbar adjustments that I think are the old school inflatable type. I can hear a pump running, but feel no changes. Not a priority. Probably will never even look at this unless I put new covers on the seats.
Problem#17 - Passenger's lumbar not working
Problem#17
Status: Open
Description: Passenger lumbar adjustment not working
See problem#16. Separate entry as cause and solution might be entirely different.
Status: Open
Description: Passenger lumbar adjustment not working
See problem#16. Separate entry as cause and solution might be entirely different.
Re: 1991 Jaguar XJ-S
For #8 you might consider replacing the ashtray with a little box - you could put coins in there or possibly have the phone set in there upright.
On Rachel's Charger I put a box under the opening for the shifter in the center console (since car has column shift):
You might have something 3D printed in the shape of the ashtray minus the door, or spend a bunch of time looking at Tupperware or similar storage containers to find something that fits underneath.
On Rachel's Charger I put a box under the opening for the shifter in the center console (since car has column shift):
[quote="Basement Paul"]Is that a mint rocketship on the hood?? :shock:
-BP[/quote]
-BP[/quote]
Problem#18 - Central locking is wacko
Problem#18
Status: Resolved 10/22/24
Description: Central locking system is wacko
Electronic locks on European cars of that era work in bizarre ways. As far as I can tell, the locks are not confirming either locking or unlocking so the system cycles back and forth a few times before giving up. This could be a lubrication issue. Turning the trunk key to the right and removing the key adds its locking function to the central locking system while turning it to the left and removing the key removes it from the central locking system, and it becomes manual. That means I can lock the trunk. I cannot reliably lock the cabin, though. Sometimes it locks and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it unlocks and sometimes it doesn’t.
Status: Resolved 10/22/24
Description: Central locking system is wacko
Electronic locks on European cars of that era work in bizarre ways. As far as I can tell, the locks are not confirming either locking or unlocking so the system cycles back and forth a few times before giving up. This could be a lubrication issue. Turning the trunk key to the right and removing the key adds its locking function to the central locking system while turning it to the left and removing the key removes it from the central locking system, and it becomes manual. That means I can lock the trunk. I cannot reliably lock the cabin, though. Sometimes it locks and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it unlocks and sometimes it doesn’t.
Last edited by AKROVER on Tue Oct 22, 2024 7:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: 1991 Jaguar XJ-S
That is an interesting idea and good execution. I think I will have the option to be creative with this issue, but I won't really know what is underneath until I take it apart.MostMint wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2024 10:06 pm For #8 you might consider replacing the ashtray with a little box - you could put coins in there or possibly have the phone set in there upright.
On Rachel's Charger I put a box under the opening for the shifter in the center console (since car has column shift):
IMG_9022.JPG
You might have something 3D printed in the shape of the ashtray minus the door, or spend a bunch of time looking at Tupperware or similar storage containers to find something that fits underneath.
Problem#19 - Air Conditioning not working
Problem#19
Status: Open
Description: Air Conditioning not working
I see no sticker indicating that the system was converted from R12 and the original R12 warning sticker is still on the inner fender, but the fittings are the quick release fittings for R134A so I think it was converted. Functional air conditioning would be a desirable feature so diagnostic work will need to be done. A nice to have for next summer, but not urgent now.
Status: Open
Description: Air Conditioning not working
I see no sticker indicating that the system was converted from R12 and the original R12 warning sticker is still on the inner fender, but the fittings are the quick release fittings for R134A so I think it was converted. Functional air conditioning would be a desirable feature so diagnostic work will need to be done. A nice to have for next summer, but not urgent now.