I have been sorting out some problems on my "new to me" 1999 XK8. My wife joined me on our maiden voyage tonight and she wanted to lower her seat but the fore and aft switch that moved up and down on drivers side wouldn't move up and down on her's .Is the height adjustment only for the drivers seat?
On the center console panel there is a switch to turn the traction control system off but mine doesn't move. It acts like it is gumed up and stuck even when pressed the little light doesnt come on either. Is this an option I may not have? I assume if I have to go in and pull the switch the entire center console has to be pulled?

 

try it and listen for motors in the seats - if you hear them turning and the seat is not moving, best thing you can do is look for a good condition used seat in my experience

re the traction control on off, that sounds like a different issue - I am assuming you tried pressing it a bit harder; some detailers mess up buttons by 'detailing them' with some kind of fluids, become sticky, stop working......

good luck!

 

An early XK8/XKR will be fitted either with 4 way or 6 way seats in Classic or Sport pattern. The adjustment functions of driver's and front passenger's seats in the same vehicle should be the same. However, in nineteen years you never know what a PO could have done!

Apart from phone buttons, if there's a button fitted then the option should also be fitted. Sticking buttons (especially the hazard warning) is a regular. Dismantling and cleaning will usually be required although they can sometimes be encouraged to move by sliding a credit card in the gap between the button and the housing.

Graham

 

Not necessarily Graham. I remember that on the XK8, the classic seats (without headrest), didn't have height adjustment on the passenger side. This was by design. You could also not pull up on the lever. My current XKR with the sport seats does give the passenger this option, and a few more.

 

If you check the electrical manual, I believe it describes a 4-way and a 6-way adjustable passenger seat. My superficial knowledge is that the 4-way seat was not all that popular in the US (could be wrong on that). Best is to check under both seats with a mirror and compare if there are the same arrangements of motors, etc. Seat switches have been known to fail, and there are several threads describing cleaning/repairing them. The seat control modules are also very prone to failure. The trick here is to swap driver and passenger sides and see if the problems go away.

Maybe someone can confirm if on the 4-way seat, the control switches are somehow different. Maybe check the parts catalog and see if there are different part#. SNG Barratt has a great online catalog. Somehow, I do not see Jaguar selling a 4-way seat with the 6-way switches and some of them inactive...

 

Re Trac button: Red led on = traction control is off.

Most notable doing a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. As soon as Trac control senses wheel slip, it goes into action. Vs 've a combo of: specific brake applied, valve timing retarded, fuel flow diminished. Bottom line, you'll feel a hesitation designed to eliminate spin.

Sometimes that's not at a good time and place. Eventually you'll get good at turning it off when you need uninterrupted power.

When she was new to me I thought she was hessiating.

John

 

There is no up/down on the passenger seat for your 1999 X100.

 

Just to confirm... my 2002 XKR convertible has only four-way adjustment on the passenger seat. In my case, the switch itself will not move in an up/down direction, so if your switch does have that movement, then check further.

 

My 03 passenger has no up/down adjustment.

 

Yea I got under the seat and the bar that raises the seat is not installed. The mounting lugs are there but I guess it's an option. Thanks gentleman.
I have figured the traction control switch is shot. It doesn't spring back like all the other switches and the LED doesn't work. Any good ideas as to a source for a replacement?

 

Just a follow up on the traction control button. I read a post that mentioned an over tightened bezel would interfere with the switch operation and lo and behold that was the problem. Once I pulled the console and accessed the switch panel it worked and the light came on as it should. I will re-install and pay particular attention to the operation of all the switches prior to finishing the re-assembly.

 

Nice tip Skymark, thanks.