Two of the bulbs/LEDs in my high mounted brake light assembly, located at the base of the back window of my 1999 XK8, are out.

Can I replace the individual bulbs/LEDs or does the entire assembly need to be replaced?

Also, how do you release this third brake light assembly to work on it?

To access the fasteners holding it onto the trunk hood, can I just use a fork or the claw of a hammer and pull down on the plastic tabs that hold the cover on the underside of my trunk hood? Or will that break these plastic tabs making it so that I cannot snap the cover back into place when I am done working on the assembly?

Are there YouTube videos showing how I can remove the underside cover of the trunk hood and replace the high mounted brake light bulbs?

 

I had the high brake light off of mine (2002 convertible), and just used a interior panel tool (or screwdriver) to pull the retaining buttons on the liner. you may break one, but the auto parts store has some that look and work the same. With the liner out of the way you can access the bolts/nuts that secure the light. I didn't replace the bulbs and don't remember what they looked like, but it was pretty simple to remove the light assembly.

 

The diagrams in JTIS make the procedure clear (see attached)

A Trim Tool is a good investment if you plan on doing much work on Jaguars. It will easily pop out those lid trim fasteners.




Particularly useful for removing door cards without breaking the fasteners.

Graham

 

Graham, Is there a similar TSB for the coupe? The car detailer popped mine off the rear window by accident and the unit wouldn't clip back on. In applying pressure the cover shattered as the plastic had become brittle after so many years. Before spending $250 for a new one I want to know how to install it correctly.

 

YES - see attached.

It sounds like the dealer may have broken either or both of the tangs.



Earlier Jaguar models used a standard HELLA stoplamp unit. I haven't needed to replace an XK8 Coupe stoplamp and therefore don't know if this is Jaguar's supplier for the XK8 but I would check the HELLA catalogue first before buying from the dealer.

Graham

 

Thank you. Your response is very helpful.

 

Thank you. Your response was very helpful.

 

I'm having a problem that I had not anticipated.

I am able to access the nuts and bolts that fasten the third brake light assembly to the hood of the trunk, but when I turn the nut it does not loosen -- instead the bolt turns with it, and I do not see a way to access the bolt head, so as to hold it in place as I turn the nut, while the assembly is still fastened to the hood.

I will try using liquid wrench to loosen the nut and see it that makes it possible to turn the nut without the bolt turning. I'm a little pessimistic though because the bolt turns so readily when the nut is turned.

 

Thanks Graham, I'll check out Hella. The tabs glued to the glass are OK but, as you surmised, one of the tangs on the light shattered. The cover disintegrated when I pushed it. Old plastic gets pretty brittle.

 

Not good.

Is there sufficient free thread showing on the end of the bolt to be able to put a slot in it with a Dremel disk? If so, cut a fine slot across the end and hold the bolt with a flat blade screwdriver inserted in the slot whilst slackening the nut.

Graham

 

Thanks for the idea. Per your proposal, I'll try cutting a slot into the end of the bolt. There is some room.

I've used a socket wrench to turn the nut, which is recessed behind a circular steel slot. I won't be able to use a socket wrench to keep the nut from turning while I turn the bolt using a flat end screw driver in the slot. But I will see if I can use a needle nose pliers or some other means to keep the nut from turning while I turn the bolt with the screwdriver.

 

Do you know if there is enough room in the third light assembly to place a 2" x 2.25" pcboard in there like this antenna.GF-LINK New Am Fm Hidden Windshield Antenna Car Radio Truck