www.jec.org.uk

for years I had been irritated by the somewhat manic reversing sensors on my XK8, seemed to bleep at blades of grass and flies. It stopped working about 12 months ago and at that time the steering column speaker also expired (indicators and warning bleeps). Now I have had the steering column speaker replaced, (all working well) I was beginning to miss the reverse sensor, but have been advised by a local Jag. service est. that there are no wires/no sensors and therefore it could not have been fitted! I know it used to bleep whilst reversing and the bleeps increased when nearing an obstacle (like a grain of sand). There have never been sensors visible in the rear bumper, but it certainly did work wherever they were concealed. Has anybody heard of a Jag. (or after market) system that is not visible + concealed wiring?
(no, there is nothing wrong with my memory)
(no, there is nothing wrong with my memory)
(no, there is noth .....

Have you changed the car recently and are you sure about your memory?

Seriously though, I have seen sensors fitted under the rear valance and, funnily enough, (!!!!) giving a very sensitive rear "view"
Have you been right under the back end,??? Can you remember.....

The other place I have seen them concealed is in the number plate surround sometimes incorporating a reversing camera.

Hello Painter,
The only Jaguar reversing kit I know of for the X100 is part number LJE7354AA, which requires holes to be drilled in the rear bumper and a speaker mounted at the rear of the centre console.

This was so expensive in 2010 I fitted an SNG Barratt one instead.

Doug Barrass,
Ashford, Kent.

Hello PTR and Doug,
my memory is fine (really), and the reversing sensors (no camera) I had assumed would have been located in the rear bumper but without the need for drilling (visible from outside). The car is 1997 and I have owned it since 2007. Prior to purchase I had it checked over by Stratstone in Plymouth, and have found their check list, with a tick against 'rear parking sensor'. There have never been any drillings in the rear bumper. I am told Jaguar didn't do these for the XK8 in 1996/7 so must be an after market job. There is no evidence in the boot, and I don't have a number plate surround. So it was there, and maybe still is, but not working although very good at hiding.

Hmmm, very odd ...... Can't really see that you do have them on the evidence of the dealers.....or maybe they gave you the wrong car back
Mind you, i get a lot of "bleeping" from the passenger seat when I am going backwards or forwards

My reversing sensors are mounted in the bumper but are body coloured and it is still obvious what they are.

The truth is out there (on the drive)
well stratstone knew it had a reversing sensor, I know it had a reversing sensor, and my wife remembers the manic bleeps reversing up the drive. I'll have to dismantle a few bits to find it, or evidence of where it once was! bleep. bleep

Hi,

My 2004 XK8 had the rear sensors in the rear bumper, colour matched but very visible.

I can only think of two things.

1) You have an aftermarket reversing sensor.
2) Stratstone ticked a box but didn't actually check it.

The only other possibility is that your car has had a new (older) rear bumper fitted since Stratstone checked it which didn't have the sensor holes and the sensors were 'omitted' ....But I can't imagine you would not have known about that!

Should keep you busy over the bank holiday weekend.

Hi Zennan,
yes I am pretty sure it would not be a Jaguar factory fitting, also absolutely positive that there was a reversing sensor on the car, and was working about one year ago. The rear bumper was taken off about that time to renew the brackets, but not renewed. It has never had drillings in the bumper, even the photos from the vendor show that. I guess there could be something in the light cluster - but now taking it to my local Jag. service venue to investigate.

Out of interest, just seen a parking sensor system that does not require drilling through bumper. Seems to rely on a 'wire' sensor taped inside the bumper (full length). Company called Parking Dynamics. Wonder if I have one of these fitted. Removing the bumper is beyond the capability of my knees nowadays, so getting it checked by Jag. service.

I have also seen a "taped inside the bumper" type product.
Could it have been one of those "beep beep" reverse warning light bulbs that has either failed or been replaced?

Hi Garagedood,
I haven't had much free time to investigate so have to wait for a ramp inspection, but I have found some wiring which looks as though it was heading in the right direction, but is now tucked into the area adjacent to the rear reflector on the bumper. The rear bumper was removed about a year ago to replace the mounts - maybe just not reconnected.

Hello Painter et el,
The wiring near the reflectors is to power up marker lamps when fitted for the US market. My car, whilst imported from Germany, is recorded on the dealer database as being US or North American spec. I have replaced the reflectors with marker lamps on my car, these come on as soon as the normal lighting does.

Doug Barrass,
Ashford, Kent.

oh! Bu**er