The Jaguar XJS uses a plastic rain cover (shield) to protect the wiper motor from water, debris, and road splash. Over time, heat and age cause this plastic cover to become brittle and eventually disintegrate. When that happens, the wiper motor is left completely exposed to the elements.
Once moisture gets into the motor, corrosion and electrical damage are almost guaranteed. The result is often a failed wiper motor—an expensive repair that could have been prevented with a simple inspection and inexpensive part replacement.
The good news for DIY Jaguar owners is that replacing the rain cover is straightforward and far easier than replacing the wiper motor itself. If your XJS still has its original cover, or if it’s cracked, missing, or crumbling, it should be addressed immediately.
🧰
DIY Inspection Checklist: Is Your Rain Cover Failing?
Check your XJS wiper motor area if you notice any of the following:
-
Plastic cover is cracked, brittle, or missing pieces
-
Powdery black plastic debris near the wiper motor
-
Wiper motor visibly exposed to water or dirt
-
Evidence of moisture, rust, or corrosion on the motor housing
-
Wipers behaving erratically after rain
If the cover is damaged or gone, assume the motor is at risk and replace the shield as soon as possible.
🔧
Basic Rain Cover Replacement Overview
(Exact steps may vary slightly by year—consult model-specific documentation when possible.)
-
Disconnect the battery for safety.
-
Access the wiper motor area (typically under the cowl panel).
-
Remove remnants of the old rain cover, being careful not to drop debris into the motor or linkage.
-
Clean the area thoroughly—moisture and dirt are the enemy.
-
Install the new rain cover, ensuring it fully shields the motor and drains properly.
-
Reassemble components and verify free movement of the wiper linkage.
This is an ideal “preventative maintenance” job that can be done in a single session with basic hand tools.
⚠️
Symptoms of a Failing XJS Wiper Motor
If the rain cover has already failed, watch for these warning signs:
-
Wipers stop intermittently or work only at certain speeds
-
Slow or labored wiper movement
-
Wipers stop completely, especially after rain
-
Blown fuses related to the wiper circuit
-
Burning smell or heat coming from the motor area
Once internal corrosion begins, motor failure is only a matter of time.
💡
Why This Matters
XJS wiper motors are expensive and increasingly difficult to source. Rebuilt units are available, but replacement is far more time-consuming and costly than installing a new rain cover.
Bottom line:
Replacing a deteriorated rain cover is one of the easiest and smartest DIY jobs you can do on an XJS. It protects a critical—and costly—component and helps ensure your wipers work when you need them most.
Jagbits has the Rain Cover for Wiper Motor DAC2641. It fits the Jaguar 1976-1989 XJS.
