Hello everyone,

Well, I got through (nearly) a year of trouble-free ownership on the 57 plate XKR I bought last March.

As of last night, my right hand side Xenon light is not working. Also, the indicator repeater next to the driver's door works, but is very dim. The lights have always worked fine prior to this, and there has been no hint of a bulb about to go. The internal computer is flashing a yellow warning light and saying headlight problems.

The car has only done 40,000. A new bulb was fitted and the light still didn't work, so I can safely assume it is not the bulb.

People are now talking about it being a control unit, or ballast, or possibly even a loose connection.

Clearly, I want to avoid a garage charging an extortionate amount for investigation and repair work if the problem is potentially easily fixable. Does anyone have any experience of this sort of situation, and what the problem might be?

Thanks!

 

Try the fuse or if not the fuses I would take out the headlights and dissconnect each plug. They hold all the wires for the lights., not a big job. Start the car and on the good side, with a voltage detector, earth one end then switch each light on. As you do this use the end of the meter to detect which connction shows power for the light you turn on. Then when you have found the wire postion and color for your Xenon light go to the other side and see have you power at least you will know.

 

The earthing point for the lights would be my first point of call - it's somewhere on the RH side of the engine compartment. Sorry, i haven't had to find it myself, and I can't see it in the Workshop manual, but hopefully another forum member can point you to it.

 

I had pretty much the same issue on my 08 XKR. It was the earthing point as Ngarara says, but the terminal isn't in the engine bay, it's in the front driver's side wheel arch, behind the shock absorber.

Having said that, I got my dealer to fix it when this came up on my car because I didn't have a jack capable of lifting the car safely so I don't actually know what they did to fix it. As a minimum though I'd suggest locating and inspecting the earthing terminal, ensure it's secured properly to the chassis, clean and free from corrosion and protected with some appropriate grease.

 

Many thanks for help. It was indeed the earthing point.

Local jag dealer said the earliest appointment they could give me was 3 weeks away.

Took it down an independent specialist instead, who fixed it in 1hr and charged me £100.

 

Result! Which indy are you using?

 

Swallows, just behind South Ruilsip tube station. Huge benefit of having a garage next to a tube - you know how you are getting to and from it should the car require an overnight stay.

It is 7 years old in March. FJSH but contemplating switching to Swallows as an independent specialist, as nearer and cheaper. Is this likely to affect resolubility or value of car? It's done 40,000 and I intend to keep for another year or two.

 

I can't say for sure, but personally, I trust indy specialists more than dealers. As long as a car has a full history, I'm happy - I'm even happier if it comes with a full sheaf of receipts showing what's been done on it. I think keeping your receipts will be more valuable than having a dealer history, particularly if you plan to sell privately (traders care considerably less).