Hi, I hope someone out there can help with this problem.
We just bought a 84XJ6 and have found that it changes volume on right turns and goes on and off on either R/L turns (only if the on/off switch is in the on/lit position.It has been OFF for the last month only coming on by chance and good luck. I have checked all fuses inline and under dash. I have opened the wire bundle both in the trunk and under the dash/console.I have been told to look for a white wire with a PINK stripe.I cannot find it. Lastly and most important, this car has a JAG after market radio with a removable front (anti-theft). The after market radio is made by AUDIO SYSTEMS INC. LOUISVILLE KY. #C930771. All answers to this plea for help would be greatly appreached. I am thanking you in advance, Ed

Submitted by jam@ispwest.com on Sun, 11/28/2004 - 19:23

I have a 1984 as well and I still have the 1984 original Stereo; 1984
was one of the best years for Jaguar quality thanks to Sir John Egan who
took over quality control at Jaguar. Ignore the pessimist know-it-alls
who have a lot of opinions but offer no real help.

Question: Who told you to look for a White with Pink Stripe Wire? That's the 12-Volt Constant Power wire, used so that the Memory of the AM-FM radio
is not erased when you turn the radio and the engine off.

It doesn't matter what type of Stereo you have in your 1984, they all
work essentially the same. I believe the Volume Up/Down problem would be
from the unit itself, assuming that this happens when you are listening
to music and all else is right.

But if the unit goes On and Off by itself while turning the Steering
Wheel, then the most logical place to look would be the Yellow wire
which is spliced-connected from the Stereo to the Ignition Switch wires,
(in my car to the Brown ignition switch wire) and that is the 12-volt
switch-controlled wire which could be causing the On-Off symptom, since
it is known that the Ignition switch is mounted to, and moves with, the
Steering column, so if the column happens to be slightly loose, or if
the Steering Column Lock is loose, or if that Yellow wire is loose, you
end up with an intermittent stereo at times.

NOTE: to tighten the Steering Column Lock, a Steel Punch and a Hammer is
needed, the technician must rest his head on the floor looking up to the
ignition switch, having removed the required trim panels and wearing
protective goggles. The Lock connection at the Column will have two
punch holes already marked or punched; The tech will need to locate the
Punch in one of those holes in such a way that he/she is able to rotate
the Lock Clockwise (forward towards the engine) with each strike to the punch. All it takes is two, maybe three strikes to re-set or tighten the lock. This will eliminate the movement of the Ignition Switch when turning the Steering Wheel. (Thanks to Phil Prince of Motorcars Ltd. for this tip, he is one fabulous technician). You will know if this procedure is needed if you are seated in the car, turn the key in the ignition switch to position number 3, (unlocked), then you turn the steering wheel left to right; If you see the Keys going up and down slightly, you need to perform this fix.

To tighten the Steering Column itself to the Firewall brackets, you'll
need a 1/2" socket and a ratchet, to check that all the bolts are tight,
they are visible as long as your head is looking up while resting it on
the floor and the Knee Panel is removed.

I have an original 1983-1984 Radio Installation Instructions for the
Jaguar XJ Series III, those I have shared with other owners here and I can refer you to one of them if you need them by e-mail. I also have the Jaguar Sound System Operator Manual but that one I do not share since by now, most 1984's have lost their original Stereo, which by the way, is a fantastic piece of equipment considering audio standards in 1984, that's why I still use it, the power and sound quality of that unit is still superior to the neon-lighted, bell & whistle Units being sold 20 years later. I should know about sound, I am a musician among my other talents.

regards and if I can help you with your 1984 XJ-6, let me know,
JAM

Submitted by v12-vdp@shaw.ca on Sun, 11/28/2004 - 18:17

Gregory Andrachuk
1992 Series III V12 Vanden Plas
1991/2 Series III V12 Vanden Plas
1966 Mark 2 3.8

Yes, I can help, but you aren't goiung to like what I have to say. The radio you have was used in the Series III for one year only. It is of very poor quality and has a long history of problems. The radios used in the Series III up to (and in) 1984, and the radios used from 85 to 92 in the Series III are of excellent quality (Alpine) and virtually trouble-free. The pronblem in your radio is likely to be in the removable faceplate mechanism. These radios are no longer serviceable (the manufacturer is no longer in business, I have been told). The very best bet is to obtain a Jaguar radio used in the Series III before or after 1985. They are often obtainable on eBay. Either an AJ 8600 or AJ 8700 would be the right one (AJ = "Alpine/Jaguar"). Dont waste any more energy on this one, but sdont be tempted to put in a non-Jaguar unit. They never look right. Let me know if I can give you more information.