'97 XK8 taillight issues
#1
08-06-2018, 03:19 PM
'97 XK8 taillight issues
Hello!
I have a 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible; a great vehicle to be sure, but am currently experiencing issues with the taillight assemblies intermittently on both the driver and passenger sides.
My issues are as follows:
1. I am frequently receiving the "Bulb Fail Rear" message on the dash display, alerting me to either a turn signal or brake light bulb failing to work. I check and sure enough I have a brake or turn signal light not working. Simple enough! When I check to see my if a bulb is blown I discover the bulb is good; and that the bulb is making good contact with the contact in its respective socket. So, not a bulb or contact issue!
2. When replacing the bulb housing and reconnecting the wiring harness I discover that the bulb that was not working now works ... however briefly. I have come to the "uninformed " conclusion that the problem I am experiencing with both my taillight assemblies most likely stems from the multi-wire connectors that attach to each assembly.
3. I have cleaned and applied electrical connector grease to both connectors and wire harnesses on both the taillight assemblies ... to no avail.
All bulbs in both assemblies are good.
I am at a loss as to what to do, and would appreciate any advice and counsel as to what I need to do to correct this problem.
Thank you!
Allen
1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible
I have a 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible; a great vehicle to be sure, but am currently experiencing issues with the taillight assemblies intermittently on both the driver and passenger sides.
My issues are as follows:
1. I am frequently receiving the "Bulb Fail Rear" message on the dash display, alerting me to either a turn signal or brake light bulb failing to work. I check and sure enough I have a brake or turn signal light not working. Simple enough! When I check to see my if a bulb is blown I discover the bulb is good; and that the bulb is making good contact with the contact in its respective socket. So, not a bulb or contact issue!
2. When replacing the bulb housing and reconnecting the wiring harness I discover that the bulb that was not working now works ... however briefly. I have come to the "uninformed " conclusion that the problem I am experiencing with both my taillight assemblies most likely stems from the multi-wire connectors that attach to each assembly.
3. I have cleaned and applied electrical connector grease to both connectors and wire harnesses on both the taillight assemblies ... to no avail.
All bulbs in both assemblies are good.
I am at a loss as to what to do, and would appreciate any advice and counsel as to what I need to do to correct this problem.
Thank you!
Allen
1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible
#2
08-06-2018, 03:30 PM
Veteran Member
If you have already cleaned and burnished all bulbs and their respective sockets, I would then check to ensure that your taillight assembly grounds are good and tight and free from any rust....
I would also check to ensure that all of your taillight bulbs are indeed of the correct voltage / wattage / design....
I would also check to ensure that all of your taillight bulbs are indeed of the correct voltage / wattage / design....
Last edited by Jon89; 08-06-2018 at 03:32 PM.
#3
08-06-2018, 03:38 PM
Thank you Jon89!
As you instructed, I have previously done all the above, and still find that I am having the same intermittent problem.
I can gently wiggle the wire harness and the light not working will work again, but soon after the light (primarily the passenger-side brake light, and the drivers-side back-uplight) will stop working again.
Allen 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible
As you instructed, I have previously done all the above, and still find that I am having the same intermittent problem.
I can gently wiggle the wire harness and the light not working will work again, but soon after the light (primarily the passenger-side brake light, and the drivers-side back-uplight) will stop working again.
Allen 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible
#4
08-06-2018, 03:42 PM
Veteran Member
#5
08-06-2018, 03:49 PM
Here's a thought I've had...
What about doing away with the wiring harnesses and directly soldering each wire to its respective connector on the taillight bulb assembly?
Provided of course that the issue you mentioned is not a problem.
Also, is it possible to purchase new wiring harness
connectors for the taillight assemblies?
Allen
What about doing away with the wiring harnesses and directly soldering each wire to its respective connector on the taillight bulb assembly?
Provided of course that the issue you mentioned is not a problem.
Also, is it possible to purchase new wiring harness
connectors for the taillight assemblies?
Allen
#6
08-06-2018, 04:12 PM
Veteran Member
This link should be of some help.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk8-xkr-x100-17/1997-xk8-tail-light-assembly-ground-melted-pictures-resolved-35083/
Post #13 shows a burned grond at the connector.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...orking-137488/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk8-xkr-x100-17/1997-xk8-tail-light-assembly-ground-melted-pictures-resolved-35083/
Post #13 shows a burned grond at the connector.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...orking-137488/
Last edited by clyons; 08-06-2018 at 04:17 PM.
#7
08-07-2018, 03:47 PM
Veteran Member
Allen,
I agree with Craig, these units have ground failures all the time. Easy enough job to fix. I don't want you to complicate things with all the resoldering.
Gosh as I think about it you could prove it easily: Take a piece of bare wire, stand next to the non working though energized taillight assembly, hold one end of the bare wire to the tail light circuit board (scratch it around to get good contact), then touch the other end to any of the bare bolts sticking out by the tail light. That'll ground it - the lights should turn right on. If so, you proved your car is normal - the ground wire has started failing because it is way too small.
Hope this helps.
John
I agree with Craig, these units have ground failures all the time. Easy enough job to fix. I don't want you to complicate things with all the resoldering.
Gosh as I think about it you could prove it easily: Take a piece of bare wire, stand next to the non working though energized taillight assembly, hold one end of the bare wire to the tail light circuit board (scratch it around to get good contact), then touch the other end to any of the bare bolts sticking out by the tail light. That'll ground it - the lights should turn right on. If so, you proved your car is normal - the ground wire has started failing because it is way too small.
Hope this helps.
John
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