Vehicle inertia switch

I went thorugh my instrument cluster diagnostic menu and under the vehicle inertia test it says switch tripped. What is a vehicle inertia switch and what would cause it to be tripped?

I can't find much on the description in the Jag Service manual (JTIS) on the Inertia Fuel Shutoff Switch (IFS)..Item #2)..but here is a picture showing a general location...From what I gather, that at a certain g-force decelleration (collision) this switch is tripped shutting off the fuel pump..I don't know if it can be reset once it has been tripped...Might want to poke around under the hood to see if you can find it..Wife has our Jag right now..so I can't go look and see myself if I could find it..
 

Thanks Dennis, I thought it had something to do with the fuel system. The only thing that doesnt make sence is my car was running when I did the diagnostic and it said the switch was tripped.

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ORIGINAL: ItalianXtype

Thanks Dennis, I thought it had something to do with the fuel system. The only thing that doesnt make sence is my car was running when I did the diagnostic and it said the switch was tripped.

My pleasure buddy..I agree that last part of what you said has me stumped too..Perhaps one of the expert Jag techs here can help us with that..

the switch is located on the passenger side front on the inside. Open the door and get down and look to your Right. it will be to the right of where the passenger would put his/her feet. Theres a plastic piece of trim that will look like it has a little plastic piece much like where the tow hooks are. Remove that piece of plastic and push the switch in.

it may just mean it has been tripped and reset manually..by pushing down on the button on the inertia switch

Thanks for the info guys. My car has never been in an accident so I dont get why it would say the switch was tripped. I have to go to Jag tomorrow morning anyways so I'll have them check it out.

it cud be tripped and reset by techs when checking for a no start condition

So it's on the inside right hand of the Passenger footwell..?..thanks I would have been all up under the Hood looking for that damn thing....North American Models right?

The switch was definitly tripped because I just went and pushed on it and it and clicked. Its still says the inertia switch status is tripped though. What I dont understand is if the switch was tripped shouldnt the fuel be shut off? Could the switch being tripped cause my gas mileage to go down or cause the car to act like its going to stall at a red light sometimes?

I forgot to metion that after I reset the switch the lcd display on the dash was flickering when the car is off. Is it supposed to do that?
 
You guys are definitly alot more help than my dealership, I've had the same service advisor for more than 2 years now and I definitly trust you guys more.

yep...footwell was the word i was looking for haha. US models of course!

The dealer thinks im crazy becuase they said theres no way my car could be running is the switch was tripped.

I'm sure it's possible that the switch itself is faulty..I deal with components like this all the time in my line of work..
 
Maybe the electrical contacts that run the fuel pump never opened, that's why the car still ran..but the aux set of contacts that signal the computer that it is tripped are making intermittent contact or were the ones that set the notice off, threw the code, dropped the hint..whatever it does to the computer...

Thanks Dennis, I'll have to tell my techs at the dealer what you said if they cant figure it out.