My 2001 xj8 has had the passenger taillight out for sometime now and ive taken it to the local european shop recently and while it was there i asked about it, they gave me a bunch of crap how hard it is to fix? and costly? is it really that bad or are they just trying to scam me into paying to much for something cheap?

 

it depends on what you meen by out, bulb, bad ground, circuit board, broken lens?

 

It must be more than a bulb replacement, cause that ain't hard at all. But no one takes a car into a shop for a bulb replacement, do they ?

 

yes, just as people dont change a flat on their cars and call a wrecker

 

Did they diagnose the issue, or just tell you how hard it was going to be? Most service shops don't understand the electrics/electronics in today's cars any better then they understand world politics. Please, don't flame me... there are exceptions.

 

well considering that a new jag has 30+ control modules onboard and are faster and more powerful than the computers that put the first man on the moon. 2 twisted wires taking the place of a bundle of wires the size of your arm. Yes, they arent getting easier to fix...but like anything else, once you know it and what youre doing its not that big a deal...if its broke, if its intermittent, well then youre in for alot of fun and mulitple trips to the shop.
And i understand politics, world finance, the stock market, parenting, (although as a single parent with 3 teens i wonder at times)

 

Let's not play the flame the dealer game.


Yes, these cars are complicated. Yes, it takes expensive equipment to fix them. yes....

 

Which is why the question was asked - did they truly diagnose the issue or just suggest a level of difficulty (as is implied in the original post.)

And yes, they are complex machines... which is why, often, the small mom and pop repair shop may be out of their league when it comes to the electronics. Sorry if I was painting a bit too broadly with my brush.

And, the watch I wear on my wrist contains a more sophisticated computer than that used in the lunar lander.

I will still contend that it is impossible for anyone to FULLY understand world politics.

 

That's funny!

 

So exactly how are we supposed to know what they did, how they did it or what their intentions are? Why not ask the "local european shop" those questions. In the mean time, check the bulb and the wiring harness near the right hinge.

 

the wiring for the tail lights does not run through this spot. The plate lamps, trunk release, trunk interior lights do though.