2012 XKR : Odd LED. Comes on with brake light
 

Just picked my car up, absolutely delighted. Just noticed that there is a small red LED smack in the middle and in front of the dash board, behind the steering wheel. Comes on when with the brake light - it's really annoying. Looks stock but can't imagine it is or why it would be there.

Anyone got this in there car? Any thoughts why on earth there is a LED that comes on when you hit the break?

Cheers.

Looks like you have my twin car. As for the LED I don't have that in my car unless I'm not looking in the right place. If you can take a picture but I don't know of this feature unless it's required in Europe or the UK.
Cheers

This is the little bugger.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...06ce5a875c.jpg

Nope , don't have that in my car and I would say it is an add on of some kind . Maybe it was for the previous driver to tell if the brake lights were working. I would ask the previous owner or the dealer that sold you the car why it is there and what did it do. Does it light or flash after you lock the car. Is it some kind of anti theft add on feature. Just my thoughts.

Since it is associated with the brake pedal, is it possible the PO installed it to indicate positive pedal compression when starting the car?

Just had a look and it's not flashing or on with the car being locked so doesn't appear alarm related.

@pwpacp I think you're right - but I can't image why you would do that?

It is something I thought about once on my 1st XK as I found the start sequence was kind of wonky. Pushing start first then pressing the brake the pedal would sometimes not build enough brake pressure on a switch to intiate engine start. After reading several posts on this forum, I found that changing the sequence to pedal then button resolved the issue thus negating the need for a visual indicator.

Maybe someones wife drove with her foot on the brake and the add on light was a reminder to keep off it?

Not sure of the value and if it's of no value to you, remove it or push it under the dash panel and plug the hole with a small with a cap.

Also, this is your new baby. You need to post pics in a separate thread, or we will all assume you don't really have a Jag and you just downloaded a pic from the internet:icon_drink:

Congrats on the new Jag and welcome!

I think you have it bass ackwards. Press the START button first, then tap the brake pedal. See my post #104: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-91426/page6/ Lots of other threads on this.

@Stuart, Yup you're correct! It is Start button then Brake pedal.....the wife's Lincoln is just the opposite which makes it confusing. Hope that doesn't trip up the OP.

Thanks all. Adding removal of bizarre interior brake light to this list.

@Sean W - will post some pics soon. It's been pouring with rain all day and even though the car looks great in the wet I don't hold up much hope for my phone surviving the downpour while i snap it.

You certainly do things differently in the US of A.

Attachment 209650

Graham

So in other words, when in doubt, read the manual? Hehe

While the manual is text book while the forum offers advice from member's real life situations. Both are of great value.

Graham,

Yes, I know what the Owner's Handbook says, but that's not what my Service Advisor told me to do when my XKR wouldn't start while I was in my car and speaking with him after my car was serviced. He explained that I must have inadvertently pumped the brake pedal and to get it to start I had to "stand" on that pedal with extreme force to get it to start. To prevent this from happening again, he recommended pressing the START button first.

My car starts much faster, with just a tap on the brake pedal, when I press the START button first. Try it and see for yourself.

See my post #104: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-91426/page6/

Cheers :icon_toast:

Stuart

P.S. With my method, my car starts fast. By the book, it starts half- fast.

YES - I'm not disagreeing. I know it starts like that and why it does .........

Attachment 209740

Is there some kind of car starting Olympics in your neighbourhood?

The limiting factor on my departure time is waiting the several seconds for the gates opening and not shaving a tenth or so off the engine firing time.

Graham

Pressing the start button wakes up the car. When the brake pedal is pushed first the car's systems are coming online while the starter motor is cranking. I've found I get less dumb stuff happening if I let the car wake up a second with the button before trying to crank it over with the brake pedal. It also seems to start faster.

No. You apply brake pressure then press the start button. Common practice.