Auto lights not working

[Tonyinmeva]

Hi all I have a 1997 XK8 with the auto light function, I have only just realised this function was on the car.
Anyhow it’s not working, I assume when switched on as the light fades it switches on the lights or on dark rainy days.
Tried in my garage tonight pitch black in there ,ignition on auto switch on but no lights, adjusted sensitivity both ways
Still no lights . Does this function have its own fuse ?. Or is there another problem ?
Any help appreciated.
Tony

[JimboV8]

Figure 09.01 applies though it shows no sign of auto lights for your car. http://www.jagrepair.com/images/AutoRep ... xk1997.pdf

Could be someone has fitted an incorrect replacement stalk at sometime in the past.

[mike020150]

The light sensor, or at least its plastic window, for auto lamps (when fitted) is on the forward face of the interior mirror. Check if it's present. If it's not there, either the car has never had auto lamp sensing or the interior mirror has been changed. Mike.

[Tonyinmeva]

Thanks Mike ,Firstly I forgot to mention this is on a car I have just bought, 1997 XK8 convertible with only 36000 on the clock, last owner 10 years did 7000,stood in garage last 12 months without being used, a rare find its in great condition, so i,m going through everything to see what works and what does not.
On the rear of the rear view mirror (facing the screen) there is knob for sensitivity and it looks like the light sensor is resessed
in a hole, I have cleaned this out with a cotton bud in case it was full of dust, and there is an on/off switch by my left knee below the steering wheel. does it have a separate fuse ?
Also stuck to the windscreen in front of the mirror is a circular plastic thing with wires..is this a rain sensor for the wipers ?
sounds a silly question now i ve written it down !! but never owned a car with these functions.
My red coupe that I have done so much work on will have go now cannot keep both.
Thanks Tony

[Tonyinmeva]

Anyone know how long the boot lights stay on when the boot is open, I thought they would time out, mine seem to be permanently on.
To see how long they stay on when the boot is closed I put my phone on video and put it in the boot ( the grandson wouldnt get in ) it went off
after about 15 secs.
Tony

[Tonyinmeva]

Should do what the wife tells me ..READ the instructions.....The on /off button by me knee also goes up and down and back and forth
IT CONTROLS THE STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT. The control for the auto headlights is on the stalk...its all in the owners book !!Both work fine.
The black plastic sensor on the screen is not a rain sensor its part of a sat nav/ tracker system,I traced the wires to a control unit under the carpet by my left foot. I got to thinking if it is indeed a disused system then maybe it would still be permanently live. This could be the source
of my battery drain. Checked with a meter and yes its live with ign off, found the in line fuses removed them . Battery now at 12.6 V
see what happens in the morning.
Must check before putting pen to paper.
Tony

[mike020150]

it sounds a bit like the notes at the beginning of a written examination. First read the question and make sure you understand it ... Mike.