Auto lights and airbag connectors

PD Miller · October 13, 2015

Hi All

The auto lights on my XK8 have never worked and I have been told that the problem probably lies in the wiring to the stalk switch. I plucked up the courage to remove the air bag in order to remove the steering wheel to gain access to the switch. The 2 wiring connectors to the air bag resisted all my attempts at disconnection and I gave up fearing I was about to break something or set the airbag off, even though I disconnected the battery..

Any advice welcome as to how to disconnect the wiring and also Am I looking in the right area?

Thanks

Pete

Nige005 · October 15, 2015

I apologise if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but are you sure that you have the auto function fitted ?

On my 98 model although the Switch has the auto position the auto function is not fitted, believe it was an option.

No idea about the connectors, usually connectors have obvious clips to disconnect but I know there are some types which are very different.

Hope you can sort it all out.

PD Miller · October 15, 2015

Hmm

You've got me wondering now Nige

The car is a 2001 and has the auto position on the switch and the adjuster knob on the mirror so I assumed that Auto Lights are fitted.....but maybe not.

It's no bother to switch the lights on manually, just a bit annoying that it doesn't work. If it's there of course. Next time I feel like living dangerously I'll have another go at the air bag :(

Old Peter · October 15, 2015

Hi Peter,

It may be worth you checking the specifications of the car when it left the Factory. A Jaguar dealer will get this for you from your VIN number.

Regards

Peter.

PD Miller · October 15, 2015

Good thinking Peter and well worth doing before I do something I might regret.

A good excuse to go and drool over the new shape XJ in the dealers showroom. I love those slanty rear lights but I still think my oldies have more character. :D Maybe in a decade or so.

Thanks

Pete

Old Peter · October 16, 2015

Hi Pete,

I wish I could consider what I would be driving in a decade or so but I would say that I really enjoy my s type.

Regards,

Peter.

Nige005 · October 17, 2015

I'd forgotten about the knob on the mirror, never even think about it as the Auto Mirror doesn't work anyway, hasn't done for years to my knowledge.

Did look for used ones of these and there are a few around but was discouraged both by the price and the need to remove the existing one to be sure that you buy the right one.

Odd this as reading about these in other places it seems the main gubbins of these things are all made by the same company and they are pretty cruddy devices.

Maybe one day I'll revisit this, perhaps when Uncle Ernie coughs up a decent about of beer coupons.......

PD Miller · October 23, 2015

Popped into the main dealers yesterday and they printed off the spec sheets for me.

The car has auto lights so when time permits I'll have a go at it. Seemingly the wire coming through the stalk on the light switch is the prime suspect.

Wish me luck.

Nige005 · October 24, 2015

Have fun !!!

PD Miller · October 27, 2015

I managed to get the connectors off this time, there's a little plastic lug on each side of the connectors which my 66 year old eyesight had failed to detect first time round. Both sides are pressed simultaneously and the connector pops off. Sadly no broken wires were found so the auto lights still don't work.