Okay I know that the base system in the XJ8 didn't come with a factory cd changer. I've read that the wiring is there but every cd changer i see on ebay has a black round cable that comes out of it. The wiring harness I have found on the left side of the jag has a white square plug that is unused. I do not have wiring for the factory amp as I can tell since the the plug on the pics of the amp i see is pretty big and rectangular. Can anyone show me pictures of what these plugs for the changer look like or if you have an xj8 that you added a changer to, please tell me how you did. Thanks!

 

It's an AI-net cable, with a weird DIN-plug looking like in the pictures here: BCCALPA Ai-net Cable for Alpine Componets (15ft) :: Changer Cables :: CD Changers :: Car Stereos and components :: Discount Car Stereo

On my car the cable was down there on the left side, but I had to hang the CD changer up in front of the bootlid opening. Beware though - apparently you need a CD changer with the Jaguar logo on it. It's an Alpine unit, but unless it knows the secret handshake, you won't get any sound out of it!

If you want to plug in an mp3 player, there is a way to hack into the cables to make an AUX input... Search old threads for it.

 

See I will look again tomorrow, but I'm pretty positive that I do not have this cable. I just pulled my gas tank and put new fuel pump in when i purchased the car last week. I saw the wiring harness that feeds the fuel pump, tail lamps etc, but I see no cable like this, just the unused white plug that was taped up on the rear wheel well. So i'd have to buy this cable and run it myself correct?

 

The cable is there - it's part of the wiring harness. You need to remove the left-hand side boot carpet to find it. If I remember correctly, on my car the connector was on the boot floor, farther back than I expected.

 

Found it! It was way up by the trunk hinge on the left side and was taped. I just happened to see a Jaguar tag on the black cable and its never been used. So now I can order my changer. I also have two white unused cables that are squarish. What do these go to? AMp? The pictures I saw of the amp plugs don't match these.

 

The earlier cars had a Harman Kardon system, the later had Alpine so I *think* the 98's have a different amp and consequently different plugs.

 

you have alpine in yours? I wish I coudl see a pic of the Harmon Kardon amp and plugs. I would like to see someones wiring harness in the trunk plugged in to those amps

 

These are the pics you are looking for-

1998 1999 JAGUAR XJ8 HARMAN KARDON STEREO RADIO AMP AMPLIFIER CD CHANGER USED | eBay

 

Also- they only plug in one way, so if you have the correct amp/cd changer you can't go wrong.

 

i have 2 white plugs that are the same size. That looks like a bigger plug fits there. I have two that are squarish.

 

bump...anyone know what these two white plugs are?

 

You mean Jaguar deliberately put in extra electronics to PREVENT us from upgrading the CD changer? That's horrible.

I want to replace my (fully-functional) CD changer with one that will also play MP3 tracks. Any tips?

 

Yeah, read the thread about AUX In.