Sorry chaps,
really have looked, but I literally can't find where the actual, physical horns are on a 1998 XK8.
Horns stopped working (it's sounded pretty wimpy for a while, and had an intermittent fault which rectified itself, now completely dead, including ALARM not sounding horn).

Have checked the fuses, can at least see the relay, though not sure how to check without a replacement, but can't find where the horn/s are....

All help gratefully recieved.

 

At least two horns are hanging off the bottom of your front bumper beam, the metal bar that sits beneath the front scoop. You'll likely have to raise the front of the car on jack stands to be able to get far enough under the nose to see them.

I believe there may be another sounding mechanism (based on a label I saw on a part) below the headlight on the right side of the car, perhaps also on the left.


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I replaced mine on the 2000 XK8 and they are a little hard to see unless you lift the front end. That being said, they are very easy to replace. I put "Freeway Blasters" in mine from Canadian Tire for about $6 or $7 each if I recall. I bought the hi and low tone and they sound factory but about twice as loud.

 

Thanks for the info, but any pics or description help from anyone who has replaced a horn. Low tone packed-up on XK8 so it sounds more like a mini rather than a Jaguar.

 

I've always replaced my wimpy motorcycle horns with Fiaams, which sound a lot like the horns of a semi. Be funny to hear the sound coming out of a Jag, but they are very effective in getting the attention of any car within 100 feet.

 

The horns aren't operated directly but by the BPM (Body Processor Module):

1. the switch located on the steering wheel pad signals the BPM to sound the horn.
2. the BPM horn output connection responds by providing an earth path for the horn relay coil.
3. the relay contacts are subsequently closed and the horns sound.

The horn operating relay is located in the under bonnet fusebox at the LH side of the engine compartment.

Once you've crawled under the front of the vehicle and located the horns, removal and replacement is straightforward:

JTIS - XK8 Horns.pdf

Check harness connections before condemning the horn as faulty.

Graham

 

Picture of horn showing through front grill. I had the same problem finding these until I just got down in front of the car and looked, and it turns out there in plain sight showing through the grill.

 

move the bonnet/hood up to the maintenance position and the horns are quite easy to see and probably access