My backup light switch is on the fritz so I need to either clean it
or replace it. I know where it is located, but I need access to
it. I have searched this but I only came up with information after
having removed the console or ‘‘ski slope’’. My question is do you
just remove the wood console panel, or do you need to remove the
whole console to access the reversing light switch? How do you
remove either of these items (I dont want to chance marring or
damaging the wood finish). I do not have a shop manual and my CD
manual locks up every time I try to use it.–
FL XJR
Florida, United States
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My backup light switch is on the fritz so I need to either clean it
or replace it. I know where it is located, but I need access to
it. I have searched this but I only came up with information after
having removed the console or ‘‘ski slope’’. My question is do you
just remove the wood console panel, or do you need to remove the
whole console to access the reversing light switch? How do you
remove either of these items (I dont want to chance marring or
damaging the wood finish). I do not have a shop manual and my CD
manual locks up every time I try to use it.
You can access the Reverse Switch by simply removing the ski slope, or
wood veneer piece, between the radio and the console box (with
leather-covered lid). Here is the procedure for removing the ski slope
on my 89 model (your 90 model should be the same):
Remove 3 switch assemblies, using plastic card to protect wood & pry
upward under trim edge
Pry gently, as the plastic detents which hold the switch bezels break
easily
Remove Shift Knob; unscrew halves on either side of lever
Disconnect 3 switch bases by squeezing diagonally-opposed releases;
remove 3 lighter wires
Pry console cover latch from black plastic cover @ front of box; may
remove screws first, see below
Remove black plastic console box lid catch cover @ front of box, 2
screws
Remove screw @ rear-center of slope, formerly covered by lid catch cover
Loosen two 8mm bolts @ outboard edges of cruise switch & lighter
openings, holding slope side clips
Pry up slope at rear & slide rearward to disengage two front tabs from
slots
If tight @ front, remove A/C Face Plate; should NOT need to do this
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: FL XJR leftlanesi@yahoo.com
My backup light switch is on the fritz so I need to either clean it
or replace it…My question is do you
just remove the wood console panel, or do you need to remove the
whole console to access the reversing light switch? How do you
remove either of these items (I dont want to chance marring or
damaging the wood finish).
Yes, now that I re-read my write-up I see that I did it without console
removal. There’s even a photo of doing it.
You can access the Reverse Switch by simply removing the ski slope, or
wood veneer piece, between the radio and the console box (with
leather-covered lid). Here is the procedure for removing the ski slope
In reply to a message from FL XJR sent Tue 26 Jan 2010:
I prefer to unplug the switches by first removing the center
cubby. It is easy to remove and more resistant to damage.
The reason being is (for me) the 3 position switch bezel is
difficult to find. If you do break the detents they can be
carefully repaired with the proper epoxy but it is touchy
work and takes me back to my car modeling days.–
1996 Jaguar XJS 2+2 - Trent S. Aiken
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In reply to a message from TrentAiken sent Thu 28 Jan 2010:
Thanks, George, for the email detailing the removal of the ski
slope. Unfortunately, the rear edge of mine is wedged under the
metal bracket that holds the console armrest catch (the metal
bracket that bridges over the back of the ski slope). I don’t know
how the sam hell it was originally installed, but I can only
imagine that the slope was installed in the console, then the
console installed in the car. With the console installed, there is
no way to budge the ski slope fore or aft because of the shifter.
All the prior suggestions call for lifting up the rear of the ski
slope to clear the shifter, then pull backwards to clear the clips
under the radio. Easy, right?
Well, since apparently my car was built either early on a Monday
morning or the last one of the day on a Friday afternoon, I cannot
accomodate such an otherwise easy remedy. The rear of the slope
barely moves in one corner and the other corner is wedged solid
underneath the metal bracket. So the whole stinkin console needs
to come out!
Since I have the little parcel tray under the armrest out, I see
that there is a screw or bolt on either side toward the rear of the
console that attaches it to the hump. (With my luck, I will likely
have to remove the friggin’ seats to access these screws.) Is this
true?? And where else is the console attached? This whole brake
switch nonsense is starting to work my last nerve! (where’s my
beer…)–
FL XJR
Florida, United States
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In reply to a message from FL XJR sent Sat 6 Feb 2010:
you need to gently flex the ski slope and it will come out
Nick–
The original message included these comments:
All the prior suggestions call for lifting up the rear of the ski
slope to clear the shifter, then pull backwards to clear the clips
under the radio. Easy, right?
morning or the last one of the day on a Friday afternoon, I cannot
accomodate such an otherwise easy remedy. The rear of the slope
barely moves in one corner and the other corner is wedged solid
underneath the metal bracket. So the whole stinkin console needs
to come out!
In reply to a message from konrads sent Sat 6 Feb 2010:
Thanks for your reply, Nick. I know what you are talking about,
but the way (and extent to which) the rear edge of the slope
extends under the metal bracket, I would have to pull the center up
at least 2+ inches to get the rear to clear the metal bracket.
With that much flexing, I think the finish would crack. The wood
veneer and finish is flawless and I don’t want to risk damaging it.
Is it normal to have to pull up at the midpoint of the ski slope
more than 2 inches to get the rear to clear the metal bracket?–
FL XJR
Florida, United States
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In reply to a message from FL XJR sent Sat 6 Feb 2010:
Open the console storage lid and you’ll see that its latch is held
to the console by two screws. Remove both screws and the latch
piece.
That will expose a single screw that holds the back of the console
wood down. Remove it, pull the the wood piece back about 1/2’’ and
lift it out.
As side note - I’ve read here that the metal under the wood is
aluminum. It is not; it is mild stainless steel and will eat up
drill bits, etc…–
Don Neff 1991 XJ-S Conv. V12 5-speed, 2002 XKR
Novi, MI, United States
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In reply to a message from FL XJR sent Sat 6 Feb 2010:
I think I went into the pass rear corner (loose side on mine) with
a small screwdriver then pushed downward at the bend by the window
switches this popped it up and out. I think I will grind the
console to allow easy removal next time.
Nick–
The original message included these comments:
extends under the metal bracket, I would have to pull the center up
at least 2+ inches to get the rear to clear the metal bracket.
With that much flexing, I think the finish would crack. The wood
veneer and finish is flawless and I don’t want to risk damaging it.
Is it normal to have to pull up at the midpoint of the ski slope
more than 2 inches to get the rear to clear the metal bracket?
In reply to a message from XJS1995 sent Sun 7 Feb 2010:
Thats nice but mine will not just lift up like that.
Nick–
The original message included these comments:
This is a video linked from Jag-Lovers. Perhaps this will be of
help with the console removal. http://www.myrtleltd.com/xjs_fitting_videos?
zenid=526e01ef6241512c221378b4b998eb51
In reply to a message from konrads sent Sun 7 Feb 2010:
I’m not sure how much more clear I can be. I have loosened the hex
bolts under the cruise control and lighter, as well as the screw at
the rear of the ski slope. Again, the issue is that the rear edge
of the ski slope extends under the metal bracket at the front of
the arm rest. The slope is wedged under there and you simply
cannot lift it out. I would have to pull up at the center of the
slope by the shifter several inches to pull it out from under the
rear bracket. That would ruin the ski slope panel.
I do not know how to posts photos in these threads, but if you go
to my Cardomain site, I posted a photo on the second page. You
should be able to see my issue. With that metal bracket in the way
and no give fore or aft in the slope because of the shifter,
there’s no way to get it out.
There is obviously something unusual about the console
position/alignment on your vehicle, as the directions provided earlier
work on most other cars. The Service Manual procedure for removel of
the console requires (1) removal of the side panels were the footwell
air ducts are, (2) removal of the A/C control panel and radio face
plate, and (3) moving and tilting the seats forward to access the
console mounting screws.
Good luck & let us know how it goes.
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: FL XJR leftlanesi@yahoo.com
With the console installed, there is
no way to budge the ski slope fore or aft because of the shifter…
I will likely
have to remove the friggin’ seats to access these screws.) Is this
true?? And where else is the console attached?
Well, it would have been more helpful if you had shown us that from
start. ‘‘A picture is worth…’’
I’d try prying the ski slope gently forward to clear the rear
corners. There should be enough movement available around the gear
shift area to do this. If not, remove the two rear screws and lift
the consle rear slightly up enough to gain the movement space as
needed.–
Don Neff 1991 XJ-S Conv. V12 5-speed, 2002 XKR
Novi, MI, United States
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// please trim quoted text to context only
Kirbert
(Author of the Book, former owner of an '83 XJ-S H.E.)
17
FL XJR wrote:
I’m not sure how much more clear I can be. I have loosened the hex
bolts under the cruise control and lighter, as well as the screw at
the rear of the ski slope. Again, the issue is that the rear edge of
the ski slope extends under the metal bracket at the front of the arm
rest. The slope is wedged under there and you simply cannot lift it
out. I would have to pull up at the center of the slope by the
shifter several inches to pull it out from under the rear bracket.
That would ruin the ski slope panel.
I guess you can be a bit more clear, because I’m still trying to
figure out where this idea of lifting the center of the slope came
from! I didn’t have the veneered ski slope on my '83, just the black
metal ski slope, but cannot imagine why anyone would try lifting the
center. If anything, I’d be pushing DOWN the center!
I do not know how to posts photos in these threads, but if you go to
my Cardomain site, I posted a photo on the second page. You should be
able to see my issue. With that metal bracket in the way and no give
fore or aft in the slope because of the shifter, there’s no way to get
it out.
The veneered “ski slope” on the 88 and later cars is quite different in
the way it attaches, as compared to the black-vinyl-covered sheet metal
facia on the mid-80’s cars.
The veneered model has two tabs on the front that fit into slots
beneath the A/C & radio panel face plate. This, coupled with the gear
shifter surround having to be cleared, requires that the rear of the
veneered ski slope be lifted to clear the gear shifter surround, and
then the panel being pulled rearward to have the front tabs clear the
face plate.
The poster’s car has less than the normal clearance at the black metal
frame at the front of the covered console box, and therefore he cannot
lift the rear of the ski slope, even after removing the plastic around
the cover latch, and the screw at the rear-center of the ski slope.
You cannot just lift the ski slope straight up, as you can on the
earlier cars after removal of the securing screws. The only other
possibility is that removal of the A/C control panel face plate MIGHT
allow the front of the ski slope to be lifted enough to clear the gear
surround, although I’ve never done that myself.
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: Kirbert palmk@nettally.com
Yeah, that didn’t help. It looks considerably different than my '83,
but I still can’t really see why you can’t just lift it out.
In reply to a message from George Balthrop sent Mon 8 Feb 2010:
George, your analysis of my car is spot-on. For some reason mine
is unlike most others. The rear edge of the ski slope extends
further under the metal armrest catch bracket than most. Everyone
I have spoken to says that the rear should lift out fairly easily.
The only way to do this in the future is to grind off the rear
corners such that they clear the metal bracket.
Unfortunately, it appears that the only way to get mine out is to
remove the whole dadgum center console. Thanks for your email on
that subject, George. This is not as easy a solution as I had
imagined. As time permits, I will have to attack it. Having to
essentially remove the seats to access the rear console screws is
going to really be fun (sigh…). At least it’s a convertible so I
can put the top down for more access.