Just a bit of background before asking my question. I purchased the car at an estate sale because I have always wanted one but family and kids came before endulging in my fantasy. It literally had not moved for 8 years. It was a steal price. I hired a car hauler to set it down in my driveway and I drove it 30 feet into the garage where I have been checking all issues I can before driving it to the Jaguar services some 50 miles away. I am almost ready for the drive but the brake warning light woud not go out regardless of the operation I placed on the parking brake lever and button. I then removed the parking brake cover to discover a switch which when depressed extinguishes the red brake warning light .The brake handle does not make contact with the switch and I am thinking this is a problem. Are the brakes still on?.I depressed the switch and drove it 100 feet and it feels like the parking brake remains engaged, I see no cable movement when I lift the brake handle. I am asking for advice on how to proceed? Basically I want to drive it the 50 miles to a Jaguar Shop where the experts can make it road ready and not pay the car hauler another 250.00. Thanks for any advice.I attached a pic of my new toy.


Rox

 

I've not worked on the xk8 brakes, but from glancing at the video, I suspect the hand/emergency brake shoes are bound to the drum. Disassembly and cleaning, would be the course of action. Can you find someone local to help you?

 

I am on my 2nd XK8 and the emergency brake can be tricky to disengage. On my first one you REALLY had to pull it up hard and far while holding in the button before it would release. My current one not as much but still requires a positive pull. Try the hard pull (not jerk), it might just release.

Also, when the brake is engaged, does an error message show up on the dash when you put it in drive and move forward? If yes and it goes out when you disengage the brake, then you are likely OK. As barnter suggested, it's a good idea to check them if that doesn't work. It has been sitting up for a while and if the emergency brake was on that entire time, it very well could be frozen.

Careful using a dealer for inspection and servicing. They tend to be pricey. Find an independent British shop. XK's of this era use lots of Ford parts. Any good mechanic can do most routine stuff or you can research this forum for DIY tips. Lot's of knowledgeable and helpful folks here.

p.s. your car has my favorite color scheme.

 

Thank you for the advice. Not many Jags in my neighborhood and I live in the sticks, I did remove one of the wheels to take a look at the pads and what you say may be just one of the issues. The switch in the parkung brake assembly has no function unless it gets depressed and the assembly does not do that. There must be something missing??

 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! i pulled up real hard and the brake warning light went out. I backed it up the drive and no parking was on. Thank you one last time.
Rox
PS Tomorrow it goes in for service.

 

I only use my handbrake twice a year .Once when it goes for its annual test and once on the channel tunnel .
I found both the shoe linings detached from the shoe which can cause one to move over the other and jamb the brake

 

So far I have resoved thrree issues using advice from individuals like yourself. I finf the threads not only interesting but full of great information. Great Forum!