Found my first problem ................
I noticed the brake warning light wasn't working, and on close inspection, it appears that the previous owner has disconnected the wire to the handbrake switch. I put it back - I assume it goes in the little slot just by the switch plunger - and it works fine if I press it down with my finger but ......... the handbrake lever doesn't seem to be going down far enough to operate the switch (which is why - I guess - the previous owner disconnected it !)
I need to remove the handbrake cover/gaiter to see what's going on but JTIS isn't very helpful - I can see (and undo) the press-stud at the top of the cover but then it says "release cover trim securing clip from brake lever and remove cover trim". Has anyone done it, and if so, could you give me a bit of help as to how it comes off ?
Also - while I'm here - there's a little button next to the valet button which doesn't seem to do anything. I assume it doesn't do anything ?
Cheers,
David.

 

I can't comment on the handbrake but the button should either be a blank filler piece or the forward alert on/off switch.

Forward alert is part of the adaptive cruise control package and if activated it will give audible beeps and messages in the instrument pack when objects are detected.

If you don't have the adaptive cruise control fitted, then it should be just a black filler with no markings.

 

Thanks for that CC. No cruise control (adaptive or otherwise) but there's a button which appears to have no function whatsoever ! Ejector seat maybe ?

 

Hi David,
Post a pic so we may have a chance of identifying the switch.

I had a look in my manual at the handbrake shroud and it says the same.
If you try, be careful, the plastics in these cars have a tendency to break if pulled too hard.

 

Jim,
Thanks for the reply. Not the easiest place to get a good picture but this might work ......

 

Any help for a brother in need?

 

Nice pic of the handbrake David, but I meant the switch you couldn't identify.
If it is a switch, Jaguar don't normally fit a switch with no purpose, at least not in any I have had.

 

Definitely a switch / button. No mention in the handbook, and nothing happens when pressed. The car has virtually no "extras" - no cruise, no adaptive suspension, no parking assist, no heated seats or screen, so I assume it's non-functional. At some future time, I'll have a look behind to see if there's any wires connected to it.



In the meantime - if anyone knows how to non-destructively remove the handbrake cover, I would be very grateful.
Cheers,
David

 

I am almost certain that switch is for something aftermarket.

 

Agreed, perhaps the previous owner could shed some light on that one.

 

I think I may have resolved the handbrake problem - it's a guess at this stage but I suspect the handbrake wasn't too efficient, and rather than adjusting the individual shoes through the holes in the drum, the previous owner or his/her mechanic used the adjustment on the linkage to take up the slack but ......... that didn't quite allow the brake lever to return fully to the off position which meant the red light & message didn't cancel. As this would (I think) have now been an MOT fail in the UK and the car was just about to be sold, the quickest solution was to disconnect the wire from the switch. I can't be sure until I get the car off the ground and the rear wheels off, but that seems the most likely solution.

 

Howdy David:
The cover has a round plug (~1 1/2" diameter) that fits into the brake lever pocket on the surface adjacent to the drivers seat. (Rub your hand on this surface and you will feel the circle)
I had mine off a few weeks ago. It requires spreading the cover toward the drivers seat until it clears the pocket. I had my driver's seat removed at the time and I do not know if that seat interferes with the removal.
I hope this helps.
(I assume that you have already discovered the snap at the front of the cover)

 

Well, it sounds like you know how to adjust the parking brake correctly thru the hub, and if need be, repair anything in there so that it does work correctly.

I'm surprised if the e-brake works, and disengages, why the lever doesn't retract far enough to trigger the microswitch. that is odd. Something must be bent, or offset.

If you need pics of our e-brake handle similar to yours to look for irregularities, just let us know.

 

Thanks H2Oboy.
Would I be right in thinking that the UK and US models have a totally different system ? In the UK it's a fairly simple mechanical cable and rod mechanism which just pulls on the brake shoes in the rear hub behind the discs whereas (according to the JEPC I have), the US cars have a more sophisticated electrical system to operate the hand / park brake.
Dr. D. - I might need that advice - thanks. Today, I reached under the car, pulled the linkage back and the warning light went off, which is why I think it's just a problem with the adjustment of the shoes and/or linkage. I'm not too worried - I have until the next MOT (U.K. sort-of roadworthy test) next February to get it sorted !

 

I'm with Steve, the switch deffo looks like its for something aftermarket