I just noticed that when I start my 2001 XK8 and drive away, I get no seat belt light or warning. There is also no blinking airbag light. If someone sits in the passenger seat the light lights up. I didn't think you could disable the seatbelt warnings. Any ideas.

 

There is no official way to disable it but we've had some anti seatbelt zealots on the forum who have deliberately disabled the warning by shorting the harness to the driver's seatbelt buckle.

Check the harness connection to the buckle and that the buckle itself is clean. The Hall Effect sensor which detects insertion of the belt can get gummed up.

On the later XK/XKR you can turn the annoying warning reminder sound off.

Graham

 

The seat has a sensor that signals the seat is occupied. In turn that activates the air bag and the seat belt warning. The passenger side seems to be working since it see a passenger is occupying the seat and flashes the appropriate warnings.