[x300] I fixed my airbag light - 1999 XJR, U.S.A

Recently the airbag light on my dash refused to go out after
the car was started. I checked all the fuses and they were
all good. I also disconnected the battery for a bit to see
if that would reset it. No luck. In scanning the archives
I found where some owners had corrected theirs by wiggling
the wires under the passenger seat (mostly), although some
had success wiggling those under the driver’s seat. I had
no luck messing with those under the passenger seat, but
just a little bit of movement under the driver seat made the
light turn off.

Unfortunately just a few days later the light returned.
This time after disconnecting the battery I unbolted the
seat and tilted it backwards to gain access to the
electrical connection plugs under it. I disconnected both
plugs and sprayed electrical contact cleaner into each end.
After it dried I dabbed a little dielectric grease on each
pin and reconnected them. After putting everything back
together the dash light went out and has stayed out for 10
days now (knock on wood).

I’m sure a lot of this is old information to many of you on
here. I just want to reinforce one thing I’ve found
repeatedly about this car. Any time I’m having any type of
problem, if there is an electrical connection involved with
it, the first step should always be to clean and lubricate
the contacts. I can’t tell you how many times this one
simple thing has solved the problem.

Best to all.

Mike–
X308 1999 XJR 4.0L, 02 BMW M Roadster, 02 GMC Sierra
Middlebury, IN, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

In reply to a message from Mike 99 XJR sent Tue 29 Jan 2013:

Interesting, My light started coming on after I replaced the
transmission. Would come on after 20 miles. I think its the
clock spring do to the fact my headlights will go out by
them selves while driving at night but work fine when set to
manual. The light hasn’t come on this week even after 2, 125
mile drives but I am sure it will come back. 98 XJ8–
1998 XJ8
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

Just a suggestion!
I have a 2000 xj8l with an intermittent air bag light glowing!
For the past two years I have been trying to get ‘rid’ of it with limited success.
Sometimes it would be out for days, but mostly it stays on.
However, today, I used the valet key in the ignition and, so far, no light.
I am hoping someone else will try this and it’s not just a fluke.
Cheers,
john Colville
Vernon, bc