Hey everyone,

I'm having trouble with my Jaguar XK8's handbrake. When I lift it to release, I'm unable to push the button in. The button is literally not pushable. Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice on how to fix it would be greatly appreciated as I want to take it for a spin but as the handbrake cannot release, it’s not moveable.

More info:

The hand brake is floppy (which it supposed to be), I lift it with no force then it stops, then I can use all my strength to pull it up but the button is not pushable.

Not many people here in New Zealand know what the fix is ughhhh

Thanks in advance!

 

When you say "not pushable" do you mean access to button is fine but it is stuck fast, or do you mean the button is not accessible.
If the latter it may be that the push on handle has moved, making the button inaccessible, push the handle back into place to expose more of the button.

 

Hi,

Button is accessible, just not pushable. I’m going up to the car next weekend so I’ll take pics and a video.

Cheers

 

It is not difficult to access the handbrake mechanism by manoeuvring the seal on its electrics until it is as out of the way as possible. The plastic cover just unclips with two clips and slides out of the way but check online/in the manual exactly where the clips are as you don't want to damage it. It's easy once you've read how to do it.

If necessary, you can easily unbolt the entire handbrake mechanism, only two (and one more for the pivot) 10mm bolts as I recall, and see what is happening and oil it as necessary. Start by loosen the cable at distribution fitting under the car further back between the two resonators to allow easy removal of the latching mechanism at the handle. After this the car will be driveable again provided you don't mind not having a parking brake.

Richard

 

I believe you just have to pull it up a tad more and then the button will release so you can push it in again.