I would like to replace the trunk light microswitch in my XK8 with a 3 post rocker switch with an internal LED light. I want to use the wiring to the current microswitch and connect to the rocker switch. The rocker switch has three posts (Power, Load and Ground) and the wiring to the microswitch has a black wire and a gray wire.

Is it possible to connect the new switch using the two wires so that the toggle turns the trunk lights on and off and the small internal LED indicator lights when the switch is in the "On" position?

 

It might work to connect the Power and Load wires on the switch but it depends on how the LED is connected internally. The ground I would guess is meant to be the LED ground so that it is on all the time.

The trunk lights are controlled electronically though, and will go off after some time even if you leave the trunk open, so I am not sure you will accomplish what you are after by adding a switch.

 

Not sure why but my trunk latch does not lock or unlock when the trunk lights are on. I tried and new microswitch cable but it does not work properly and I believe the problem in in the circular cam inside the latch assembly. I bypass the latch switch with the rocker switch and all works well. It has a built in LED on the rocker and thought I would connect it to reconfirm the switch is in the on position.

 

If the un-bypassed microswitch is faulty (or the bypass rocker switch is used instead) such that the trunk lights are kept on when the trunk is closed, the switch state is also telling the security and switching module that the trunk is open when it's not, which is probably why the lock/unlock doesn't work. Does the dashboard say trunk open in this scenario?

 

Did not look at the dashboard. The only time this situation occurred was when the new microswitch was installed but not operating properly. I believe the microswitch plunger was not fully activating properly. I got tired of fooling with it and installed a bypass rocker switch and all works fine. I will just have to remember to make sure the trunk light switch is off.

 

Pity to have to use the rocker switch.

Maybe you could return the microswitch as not working (this is indeed one of the possibilities) and if you search on google for XK8 trunk microswitch you should see one (used) for sale on ebay which appears to have the latch mechanism included as well.

 

I purchased that unit and it did not work. I tested the microswitch separately and it turns the lights on and off when I depressed the plunger but did not work in conjunction with the latch assembly. Not sure what it could be???