Hi. I've been lurking for a long time, but, could really use some help. I have a 2004 xk-8.

Also, please excuse my lack of car expertise and I'm sure, lack of proper terminology. But, if you'd be good enough to help, I'd really appreciate it.

Last week, I notice that my main lights were not going on automatically at dark. When I rotate the handle, I can't hear the noise which I had always assumed was the auto-leveler.
All the lights work except the lights that are 1 over from the inside which I think are the main ones. (In other words, not the fully inside lights, but, the ones that are next to those.)
They don't work on auto, and, they won't turn on no matter where the steering wheel light rotation switch is positioned.

Neither the driver nor passengers work, nor do I hear any movement. I've looked at all the Fuses on the driver's side in the engine compartment - none are blown. I've shun a flashlight in the light wells, and, while I can't be certain, it looks like the filaments are still good. Hmmm.

Everything seems to be 200-500 at the dealer and if I could do it myself, I'd like to try.

Any ideas or suggestions? Again, thank you. -Raymond

 

Raymond,
Does your remote turn on the lights?? (they should go on for about 30 seconds or until you press the button again)
And I am assuming the high beams work. Verify by pulling back on turn signal stalk to flash the high beams.

Lights are controlled by the Body Processor Module. Ground is applied to a pin (FC14-6) either by the headlight switch or by the light sensor in the back of the rear view mirror, depending on the position of the switch.

Module then puts 12v to the headlight relay. You can eliminate the relay as a suspect by swapping relay 3 and 5 in the engine compartment fuse box. Check by flashing the high beams again.

If you need a wiring diag. for you car. ley me know your Email addr. and I will send it.
It is a PDF file.

 

Thank you Fred,

I tried the headlight button on the remote. It only activated what I believe are the fogs. (the outer-most lights.)

When I have someone in the car pull the light rod, it levels and turns on the brights. (halogens?)

At your suggestion, I switched relays 3 and 5 in the drivers side fuse box. Well, I think I did. Not knowing their numbering, I counted, started at 1 being at the black one closest to the engine, and switched numbers 3 and 5. I figured they were the same part number and voltage, so, I couldn't hurt anything.

Anyway, what I believe are the main headlights still will not function. (I think I'm right here, they are the innermost light bays - I said that wrong in my earlier post.) There seems to be one little light above the what I'm calling the main light, which does come on.

I hope I'm making sense.

Thank you SO very much. Raymond

 

Raymond,
The low beam lights are the outer lights.
These are the ones that come on for 30 seconds or so
When the button on the remote is pressed.

The high beam lights are the inner lights.
They are considerably larger. they will light when
the turn signal stalk is pulled back (or pressed forward)

The other two bulbs are the parking light, (the
upper one) and turn signals (lower one)

Fog lights are in the fender same height
as the grill.

Relays are numbered

1-3 from firewall forward
4-7 from relay 2 towards engine

1 Heater pump
2 Front fog
3 Low Beam (non-HID) or High beam (HID)
4 Power Wash
5 High Beam (non-HID) or Low Beam (HID)
6 Horn
7 Ign. Pos.

If the outer lights (low beam) work from remote then the relay is good.
I'm betting you lost the ground in the light switch.

 

Maybe this will help you rrgoldstein.



Yours is a year newer, but you have the same setup, HIDs for low beams and halogens for highs.

(A) low beams, HIDs, these should come on and level when you turn the stalk manually to the on position
(B) high beams, halogens, only come on when you pull back on the stalk
(C) parking indicator, illuminates when stalk is turned to the 1/2 on position, lights up your dash and turns on your indicators and tail lamps.
(D) turn signal indicator
(E) fog lamps, halogen, only on when you push the front fog button just below your climate controls, and only when your parking indicators are clicked on, or headlights on.

Feel free to explain your condition more using the diagram to help us follow.

 

Fred,

Now that it is clear I'm an idiot; let's proceed. It sounds like you're right on, that because the low beams do work off remote, it may be ground wire. If that's the case, how is it fixed? New stalk switch, harness wiring, ? Can I do it myself. (I'm a bit handier with my hands, than with my automotove vernacular.)

Raymond

 

I went back an re-read some of this.
"IF" the turn signals work and you can flash the
high beam with the turn signal stalk, the ground I believe is good.
The same ground in the steering column is used for all.

So now we are down to the switch itself, wiring or connector and the body processor module.

When you turn the headlights on manually (not AUTO) do the side lights go on??
Push stalk forward. Do the high beams go on?? (Ignition must be ON)

In other words are the low beam light the ONLY lights that fail?


The reason for the question is that High beam on, and high flash,
and low beam on use different pins and wiring.

 

You're not an idiot raymond, just communicating your problem is difficult. The headlight system on the xk is very reliable, and to be honest, this is the first time i have heard of a problem with one, so we're not use to relaying this systems info. Glad fred is helping you try to diagnose it.

 

Hey Waterboy, some slick pictures you have there. What's all that in the trunk?? Or should say boot....

 

Just some stuff to help the audio meet my high standards...amps, signal processor, and the garmin GPS. Can you believe I can still put my golf clubs in there?? (and a small cooler)

 

Ok, new information and boy am I sorry Fred, and everyone else. I'm sorry because having reread the posts, and, looked at the pic posted, I've realized my problem can be stated much simpler.

Namely, the low beams are the only thing that don't work, and, they ONLY don't work on AUTO. They work when switched is turned on and, they work when remote button is pressed.

So, am I dealing with a bad light sensor? A bad stalk switch, what?

So, how can I diagnose. And, can I fix it myself if it's one problem or the other (or both), or, is it too complicated and I should just take it to the shop? Thanks a million, really.

Raymond

 

There's a round switch button on the back (windshield/windscreen) side of your inside rear view mirror. Turning this switch sets when your lights come on. There is an "eye" near this switch that is the sensor that the switch controls that turns on your lights (when in auto mode).

I'm not sure which way you turn this switch to make the lights come with more or less daylight. You might try pulling your car into your garage, leave the garage door open and yur engine running. Turn your light switch on the stalk to the auto position. Your low beam (A) lights should come on. If they don't, try turning that button/switch on the back of your inside rear view mirror clockwise and if your lights do not come on try turning that switch counter clockwise.

 

Thanks, I'll try that.

 

Hmmm, stumped, so far. I can feel an indentation on the back side of the mirror, but, no switch or button. Do I need to insert a screwdriver into that indentation?

 

Raymond
My '04 has no button or switch either.

Turn Ignition on
Headlamp sw. to AUTO
dark outside.

If "ALL" exterior lights are off
Bad sensor in mirror or wiring to column.

If sidelights are on but headlamps off
Switch is bad.

If you want to prove which is failing:

You can jumper the input to the switch coming from the mirror
to ground Cable is in steering column (a couple of screws on the underside)
Wire is Yellow with Blue tracer

or jumper the output from switch to ground. (goes to body processor)
Wire is Blue with Yellow tracer

The Body Processor Module needs ground at pin FC14-6
to turn on headlamps when in AUTO

My moneys on the mirror

 

Things change I guess. My 2000 has this, that's why I posted the info. Good luck.

 

Fred,

I check it out last night. With switch to auto, ignition on, neither headlights nor side lights come on.
So, I believe you're saying that the problem is either the sensor in the mirror, or, the wiring from mirror to the switch.

I haven't yet diagnosed as you outlined, but, I have two questions.

1) is either problem fairly easy to fix by myself?
2) would either or both, in your opinion, be covered by Select edition?

(I doubt it's specifically excluded, and, neither sounds like wear and tear to me. What do you think?)

Again, I can't say it enough, thank you. - Raymond

 

Pretty sure it will be covered under Select if you have that raymond, as all failed things electrical usually are, and a quick call to your Jag dealer will confirm it. I woudln't want to do the mirror or go following wiring myself. Good news, at least you can use your headlights in the meantime, just no computer to turn them on when it gets darker for you. Let us know what you find out if you take it in.

 

I agree with H20boy, the warranty should cover it. If you should decide to fix it yourself
I can give you the pins on the Body proc. module to jumper to determine if wiring or mirror
is the cause.

The body Proc. module needs:

1. It 's dark out FC14-39
AND
2. Headlamp Sw. on AUTO FC14-21

Getting access to some of these points is not fun.
I would let the Dealer do it under the warranty.

Let us know the outcome...

It' sunny and warm in Texas and I'm heading for the lake....

 

I don't know where the problem is I just suggested something to check. There are a couple of people here that say they don't have this switch on the back of their mirror so this might be a switch/eye setup for certain year models, my year being a 2000. This is as far as I would go, the dealer can take it from there. I don't know about your select warr., I have a 4 yr 60K mile warr. from a different company.