2000 VDP XJ8
I get the message "Check Rear Lights" every time I turn my exterior lights to the "ON" or "AUTO" position. Left tail light does not work. Brake light, blinker, unlock/lock flash all work though. Right tail light works as normal. What can my problem be?? Just started happening today. Thanks in advance!

 

I get this problem too (probably about 3 or 4 engine starts out of every 10). My headlamps are permanently set to "Auto" and I currently in the practice of pressing the "Clear" button on the dash, since each time I have asked my passenger to get out and check the rear lights, they are always all working. Would be interested to hear any comments.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

I had the same problem on my 99xk8. I removed the plug and cleaned the plug and light fixture and it has not been a problem.

 

I've tried disconnecting the battery overnight but that didn't solve anything. How do you remove the plug? I tried wiggling pretty hard but it doesn't seem to want to come off and I don't want to risk breaking it.

Further describing my problem. Everything is functional, brake light/blinker all work but when I switch the exterior lights to "ON" or "AUTO" I get "CHECK REAR LIGHTS" everything still works EXCEPT the actual light that stays on, it's called tail lamp I think. and that is with the left tail light only.

Thanks to anyone that reads this.

 

UPDATE::: I guess the light bulb was just out, thanks to anyone who read this thread.

 

I had the same "check rear lights" message a couple of nights ago. I checked and the only lights on in the rear were the license plate lights. I went back in the car and switched the lights from "auto" to on and the tail lights were on like normal again. Then I switched it back to "auto" and the lights were fine again.

 

I get that warning whenever I press the Rear Fog Lights switch. I'm still trying to figure out what/where the rear fogs are? Does it simply keep the upper brake light on?

 

The fog lights are the most in board lights at the bottom of the cluster, they light up red and are far more intense than brake lights.

 

My car is a 2003 XKR with 20 K miles on it. I get the warning "Check rear lights" & Cruise not available" after driving the car for 10 to 15 miles. After it warms up, it occurs more frequently. I have read the posts and have tried most things. I removed the rear light holders and tested all bulbs measuring resistance. I have bent the contacts and the bulbs are now much tighter in the sockets. I bench tested all bulbs in the holder and tapped on them when testing. All lights are working. I read on the internet that the message "Cruise not available" is just that cruise is disabled when there is a safety issue somewhere else. I have not looked at the cruise due to this information. I have not disassembled the center light on the trunk as a post on the internet says that the warning system does not include this light. However all bulbs are on. Since the car is with only 20K miles on it, all bulbs are original. the car is stored inside in California so is as new. I have made a list of all times that I get the warning and it does not seem to occur after any one or two events like: braking, turn indicator use, driving quickly, driving slow, all lights on, etc. A long drive (20 miles), not using the brakes, turn indicators, & headlights failed to set the warning this morning but when I went back to normal driving, the warning came back on. I am ready for new ideas. Thanks, Ernie