I had been having problems fixing the headlight issues on my 2004 XJ8 and finally solved it yesterday. So thought I would share my experience. Just purchased it last month and the first issue was the non working headlights, the main beams. All other lights were working soooo, I first tried replacing the bulbs and found that the right wiring harness for the bulb was broke so replaced that and that main beam was working. Side note: this was an experience as you have to remove the bumper cover to replace the harness and it wasn't quite as easy as one would think lol. Anyways then I thought maybe there was a separate fuse for each main beam but it appeared they were both on the same 20 amp fuse soooo, lol, then I was thinking well it's probably the wiring connector that plugs into the back of the headlight assembly and tried ways to test those pins with no luck so was waiting for more info b4 cutting and splicing a new one on. But yesterday I was just tinkering around, cleaning the inside of the engine compartment and accidentally popped off the fuse box cover in the engine compartment so decided to look closer at all of those fuses and check them. And ALAS, there was another 20 amp fuse that was blown number F9 left hand dipped beam so thinking this couldn't be so easy but after installing new one, then lo and behold, that was the problem with that one lol. So now just have to finish cleaning everything and reinstall all that had to be removed to get the headlight assembly out. Then on to the next issue which is the hearting issue, which after researching already, I guess I start with taking the glove compartment out and inspecting the door actuator as the heat is only blowing hot air on one side. I've already watched a few videos on this but any tips anyone can provide would be most welcome. Thanks, Larry

 

Congrats. Old cars have many secrets they are reluctant to reveal. Bummer you had to go through all of that for such a simple repair but it sounds like you headed off some future problems in your quest. I'd like to replace one of the chrome spears on the front bumper of my '04 but after looking at the work involved in removing the bumper cover have decided not to do it.

 

Hey, the only real problem I had with removing the bumper cover was popping it out of the clips and as I hadn't done this before I was afraid of damaging the damn thing lol. After watching a few videos, I just went out and pushed, pulled and moved it around and it finally started popping out of those clips so. The problem I've run into is that some of the stuff on these videos is that most seem to be a little different than mine. I spent a lot of time looking for those 2 bolts after you remove the wheel well cover and mine didn't have those so.Thanks, Larry

 

Only heat on one side two things ... flushing heater core might help to improve otherwise it is removal of it and replacing . But before that check your auxillary pump only on the 3x V8 3.5 na4.2 na 4.2 sc not on v6 3.0 hanging below expansion reservoir on the plastic fan mount( one nut or screw and one pin where it is hanging in) and checking the plug as well.