Anyone have step by step instruction on how to remove either side rear lens, i want to get in and tap into the rear brake light wire and earth, maybe i don't need to remove. Can anyone tell me what wire is the brake and earth wire. Doing a bit of a mod, so when i get finished will post. Thanks

 

Here's the pages from the workshop manual:



The LH brake light wire is orange, the RH is white; both have black earth wires.

 

See also George Kale's PDF on his tail light upgrade steps (which also includes the manual pages shown above by Ngarara).
The link is in post #66 of this thread:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...4/#post1162306

See his tail lamp removal section starting on page 10 of that PDF, and do note that these say to be careful so that you don't damage the tip of the assembly.

I plan to refer to this PDF a lot, when doing that upgrade in a few months.

 

Yeah, I gather that it's easy to swing the whole assembly while struggling with the nuts and/or clip and thus snap off the point.

 

Can i get at these wires without removing the unit from behind, i am fitting a F1 style rear brake light under the rear diffuser, i just want to tap into the power, can i get it done through the connectors behind the light, when done it will be a simple yes or no, i love comments.

 

You should be able to get at the wiring harness from the tail light, without pulling the lamp assembly out from the car body. It might be available right behind the removable grill panel in the trunk. Might have to strip off some insolation over the wire bundle to get at the individual wires.

 

Was thinking the same thing will have a look tomorrow, should work, thanks

 

FWIW.
A reality check for me early in my xk ownership was a burnt out brake bulb on a road trip and no tools to undo the 10mm nuts.... Stuck driving home with one side out... grrrrr, (who ever thought of that stupid idea?)
Needles to say, the replacement nuts are now wingnuts with lock washers... Can change a bulb whenever i wish, no tools required.

Vince

 

Excellent idea.

 

When the first brake light in my 2007 XK burned out, I discovered that some knob at the factory had smeared the nuts and the area around them in clear silicon sealer so I had to peel that stuff off before I could even get a 10m socket near the nut. Not sure why they did it unless they had used the wrong type of non locking nuts and were worried about them vibrating loose over time.

 

Me, I'm stuck with LEDs. I hope I never run into a problem. It'd be $$$$.¢¢

 

I recently replaced the turn signal bulbs. Your Owners' Manual has a procedure described.
Nevertheless, here are a couple of tips: It is easiest to first release/undue the horizontal cover on the bottom of the trunk. Then you can pull out the side covers of the trunk space fully exposing the light assembly.
Be very careful removing the assembly from the car body. Age will cause it to "stick" and it is very easy to knock off the pointy end (facing front of the car). If you do, I did, you can repair the break with Crazy Glue.
Good idea to replace both right and left bulbs "while you are in there simply because these lights have similar useful lives and if one goes out the other is soon to follow.

Have fun.