I keep getting an intermittent warning message on my dash message centre that alternates from "Cruise not available" to "Check tail lights". Yet my tail lights seem to be fine, and I never use my cruise control.
Any suggestions??

 

Yes, that combination is almost certainly a defective brake pedal switch.

 

I've moved your post from General Technical to the XK8/XKR section. You'll get a faster and wider response here from other owners of the same model.

Graham

 

Dlee, those are the classic symptoms of failure of the brake light switch, which not only activates the brake lights but also cuts out the cruise control when the brake is depressed. The circuit that shuts the cruise seems to be the most commonly affected, and the brake lights often continue working. Replacement is apparently not a complicated job but can be a pita to get the new switch into position while working upside down on your back under the dashboard. There are several threads that discuss various tricks for doing it. I was experiencing the same intermittent codes and was all set to bite the bullet and order a new switch when the messages stopped coming. If you don't need the cruise control maybe wait a few weeks. If you're lucky, the problem will solve itself!
Good luck.
John

 

Does that mean the brake lights are not working?

 

I just had a situation where the cruise was not working, but no error message. I tested the contacts of the brake switch and when I put the plug back together the cruise started working again, so try cleaning the sockets first. You might also clean the clockspring plugs.
RJ___________________
97 XK8 Conv. 85K mi

 

JldirectdfW, not necessarily. But the computer thinks they might not be working because it detects a fault, so it wants you to check them. Very often the brake lights work fine; it's the cruise that doesn't.

 

One does have to award lots of putty medals to the Jaguar IT team.
I had a great one yesterday, top down, absolute downpour, slowed down and closed the top. Front windows roll down then the computer decides I'm going too fast. Top close stops and a red 'Hood Catch Open' message appears.
It took two open/close cycles in the p*ss*ng rain to shut the damned thing.
I was half expecting the bonnet (hood) to open slowly accompanied by a green shower from its air struts.