1971 xke 4.2

I am new to this Jag thing...wife always wanted one and we found a decent driver. Horns don't work...had them both off and tested on the battery direct and they both work that way, but no juice to the spade terminals. Wiring I can see looks okay, no visible rubs or shorts...but I can't find the fuses! I am a backyard mechanic playing with cyles and cars all my life but have never been stumped on where are the fuses? Looks like harness feeds into one of the monocoque frame rails. Looks like there is lotsof room between the fire wall and the dash...thumbscrews on the dash are easily removed but the dash is still solidly connected.
I have ordered a Bentley Pub. owners manual and repair manual, but did not receive the yet. I wna tot drive it but want horns too! Help!-

Submitted by mike@neopart.com on Mon, 05/22/2006 - 15:33

Thanks everyone...I discovered the horn on the turn signal by mistake...lots of dB's on those two! Worked fine for one afternoon...now dead again! I will investigate the ground wire...I used to have a Morris product, so I am used to this jiggery pokery kind of cat and mouse game. Yes it is British (God save the Queen!)and it is LUCAS! 1971 xke 4.2

Submitted by ianc@uvic.ca on Sun, 05/21/2006 - 01:58

'Just push the tip of the stalk in!!!" Ha! The turn signal stalk (in theory) does three things. It actuates the turn signals, sounds the horns, and flashes the high beams. It will do the first, unless it's really US. Likewise the third. BUT in order for the horns to work, the stalk has to be grounded. This was accomplished by a wire soldered onto the metal collar that surrounded the stalk. It was a kludge to start with, and in time, the wire comes loose, or the collar parts contact with the stalk, so it doesn't do a damn thing. The fix is to remove the cover from the steering column, and ground the stalk. If the horns sound, the ground is faulty. Attach a wire to the stalk and to the steering column, and you'll have horns. If that doesn't work, let us know.
1969 E Type

Submitted by mfrank@westnet.com on Thu, 05/18/2006 - 21:34

Remove the two thumbscrews in the center of your dash panel. It will then fold forward; instruments, switches and all. On the backside, you will find a fuse chart, and the fuses will be on the bulkhead directly behind it.

Maybe I should back up a minute. If you're hitting the button in the center of the wheel, don't expect the horns to blow. The horn button is on the tip of the turn signal stalk. Just push the tip of the stalk in.

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Thu, 05/18/2006 - 21:05

If it is like my series 1.5 '68 FHC with no air conditioning the fuses are behind the center instrument panel. I must unscrew the 2 thumb screws at the top of the panel and then the 4 screws (nuts) on the sides that hold the radio / speaker console in place. Lift the console out and then the instrument panel flips down. The same fuse on my car also runs the tach. I had an intermittant problem with both on my car. The fuse looked good but one of the end caps had come "unglued" with age causing the intermittant conection. I am not sure if the Series II are wired the same way or have the same goofy set up where you must take out the console to access the fuses. It is not difficult just more than it seems you should have to do to look at the fuses...but it is British.

David Barnes '68 FHC