Hi everyone.

I had the car in the dealers today for checking and servicing. It got a clean bill of health, fresh oil and filter and fresh brake fluid.

I asked in an earlier thread about what work i should do given the car has had a 3year lay up.

It was suggested i change the transmission oil (seems sensible) but te cost is £440 !!! For an oil change!!!

They also wanted £220 for the rear brake switch which is working intermitantly.

Is the transmission oil change really nessesary? I notice it isnt listed under the routine maintenance schedule that came with the car.

Is the rear brake light switch easy to replace?
I assume its in the footwell. Can anyone advise?
Are patern parts available? I havent found any web sites yet.

Thanks.
Appreciate any advice on this.

 

The transmission fluid most definitely should be changed! The xk8 is from an era where there was bs marketing of sealed for life units.

Sealed for life means sealed until it falls and you buy a new transmission or get it rebuilt. The manufacturer and you most likely have different views on what life is. Change the fluid so you get a long life out of the part.

Find an independent shop. Your car has a5 or 6sp zf unit (I'm assuming you have 97-02 xk8, I can't see profile on my phone) and any Euro shop has dealt with them many a time. You'll pay a lot less.

Call a parts breaker and buy a used brake switch for likely a small fraction of that price.

 

Ross, the transmission fluid change would be a good thing, maybe not at the dealer, but that brake light switch is a real bummer to replace and the switch it self is not cheep. You can find them reasonable, there may be a rebuild service in England.


Wayne

 

Thanks for the quick response guys.

How do i get to the brake switch?
Footwell or engine bay?

 

Both . . .

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ics-faq-37758/

 

You need to be flexible Ross.

Look up from the brake pedal, you'll see it and then understand.

Jim

 

It's much better performed as a two-person job. The smaller person works upside down on the floorboard. The larger person works from the engine bay. Those who do this by themselves are either acrobats or magicians or perhaps both. Good luck....

 

As others have said, a transmission fluid change is ESSENTIAL to prolong unit life.

Because it isn't in the Jaguar Maintenance Schedules, the dealer is NOT the best source of expertise for this. There's two highly regarded independent auto transmission specialists in the UK:

Mackie Automatic & Manual Transmissions (in Glasgow)
Auto Repair*Tollcross,*Glasgow*|*Mackie Automatic & Manual Transmissions

Bristol Transmissions (in Bristol!)
www.bristoltransmissions.co.uk/home/

We had a forum visit to Mackie Automatic & Manual Transmissions last year and it was a very impressive setup. See this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...ssions-114845/

The thread includes pictures of transmission flushing. the procedure is more technical than a straight drain and refill.

Bristol Transmissions is a better option for you for distance from Oxford and offer a similar service.

Graham

 

Before you replace the brake switch try lightly spraying the plunger on the brake switch with some WD-40. Don't drown it. I had an intermittent problem with mine that was cured after spraying it, hasn't re-occurred in 2 years.

 

Rocklandjag, Now that is some good information. I wonder if this could be a preventive maintenance procedure we all need to do. Never looked into it on the problem with the switch but if it's basically a mechanical issue, well then a little lub might be a help in prolonging the life.


Wayne

 

Would spraying the brake pedal switch with a quick shot of electrical contact cleaner be more appropriate than WD-40?

 

Yes Jon different functions.

WD-40 is a hydrophobic lubricant. It dries out electrical connections, loosens rusted bolts, acts as a mild solvent for adhesive residue etc. But it's not designed to clean contact surfaces and leaves an oily residue behind.

Contact cleaner is designed to remove oxidation / corrosion of the terminals. A bit of emery paper first works wonders - tip. Cut down emery boards with a razor or utility scissors to get into tight connections. A pencil eraser is a good contact cleaner as well.

Take care,

George

 

George is absolutely correct. On my car it was the plastic plunger against the plastic housing that was hanging up so I used WD-40 only on the plunger but contact cleaner would be the right choice