When I turn on the headlights the dash lights do not work. Can you give me some insight as to what I could check for problem areas? I'm new the Jag world. Thanks!

 

Have you checked the dimmer knob to the side of your steering wheel, if not try that.

 

If that does not work, whack the dash hard with your hand to get it going. The recent cold weather has a tendency to contract materials just enough to break electrical contact. That is what I have to do to my Mercedes every morning for the past week. Too lazy to pull out the instrument cluster!

 

I'll try this in the morning! Thanks for the info!

 

However, the dash lights work just fine when I have dash lights on but as soon as I turn headlights on the dash lights go off. Is there a trick I'm missing?
I'm new to the jag and there are so many lil buttons and knobs but will try some different ones.
There is a big connector missing it looks like which could be the case and a fuse.

 

However, the dash lights work just fine when I have dash lights on but as soon as I turn headlights on the dash lights go off. Is there a trick I'm missing?

 

Okay, I understand now your issue. After looking at the electrical diagrams, it appears your lighting switch stalk is defective. Within that stalk are two internal switches, one for exterior lights (which goes to body processor module) and the other for interior lights (which goes to the dimmer module). In the diagram, it shows those two switches are linked together and move in unison. That link must have broke. It is the only item in common with the exterior and interior lights.

 

Where can i get this piece? How much will it cost to fix this you think?

 

Everyday XJ

Inquire with the guy whom runs the site linked above. Even if you do not see it listed, he likely has it.

Edit : Although I'd check the connections first to ensure nothing has been jarred loose.

Godspeed

 

Also, the drivers seat electric switches will not work to move seat up - where would I look to replace or repair this? Thanks

 

Search fuse diagrams on this forum, then check yours.

 

Sorry, didn't see your PM which disappeared. The JTIS has minimal info on the steering stalk switches. You need to remove the steering wheel first, disconnect two electrical connectors under the dash and then remove the stalk switch. I would use an electric meter to test if it really was the switch went bad. I would check the junkyards first. Please see attached diagram from JTIS especially the PDF.

 

Rick: what year and model is yours? Might put it in your signature.

For the lighting issue: you need to pull a copy of the electrical diagram for your car so you can see which wires on the stalk effect your issues; then pull the air bag (google it); pull the steering wheel (again google it), google X308 or XJ8 multi-purpose stalk, google clock spring. You should see about six or seven threads that will give you a pretty good understanding of what you will face. (Be careful removing the steering wheel, remember the scribe marks).

I am reasonably sure you have a broken wire (s) at one or two of the soldered connections -- wiring diagram will tell you which connectors and wires to check. A newer stalk will probably fix this; so would resoldering the correct wires. I was able to correctly solder the very thin wires that had become disconnected on mine using surgery tweezers and a very thin soldering iron (not a gun, too big).

I would guess that the up and down drive gear is stripped on the seat motor.