The backlight in my cruise control switch stopped working so I decided to fix it


It's a good idea to replace the bulb in the sport button at the same time.

First pull of the J-gate trim, carefully.

Remove two 7mm bolts and two 7mm nuts.

Remove the black plastic surround and disconnect the cables.









Remove the switches from the surround.





Just lift up the tabs and the switches will come out.



Use a small flat-head screwdriver to separate the white base from the rest of the switch. There are 4 small tabs, 2 on each side.





Make sure to not loose the spring.





Pull of the blue cap of the bulb. It's quite burned as you can see.





Get a new bulb. It's a 12v bi-pin bulb. I used 60ma, the same as I used in the j-gate. It's supposed to be 80ma which I determined by measuring the amp draw from the working sport button bulb.

You could use a LED but i prefer incandescent as they diffuse light better.

Size of bulb. It's a T1.





Solder off the old bulb and put the new one in. Don't forget to put the blue cap on.
Put everything back together.




All working now.



You can test it by putting 12V DC to pin 5 and ground pin 1. Pins are numbered in the connector, tiny tiny numbers

Put it all back into the car. You can't connect the cables wrong as the connectors are slightly different.

 

Great write up! Now I can't remember if mine are working or not but at least a great guide if/when I have to replace them.

 

The previous owner of my X308 fitted bright blue LEDs in all switches and buttons... Dreadful. I don't like that. So I'll be doing them new - via this write up! Cheers! 'tis bookmarked!

 

I have been looking for these bulbs (lamps) for some time but have had no success at all. Could you perhaps help with makers name, part or model number, and location from where I could purchase them. Any help gratefully received. Thank you.

 

I bought mine at http://elfa.se , part no 33-653-43
Don't know if they ship outside EU though.

These kind of bulbs will work also if the blue cap fits.

 

Great write-up, hnatten!

Got my bulbs from ELFA and changed them yesterday. Wouldn't be able to without your instructions. I am not particulary good with a soldering iron, but I was able to change the bulbs eventually... A bit fiddly, but manageable with no special skills. Blue cap was melted on one of the old bulbs but carefully prying them of and use a tiny bit of superglue made me reuse it.
Again, great write-up and thanks.

 

Thanks for all this info.


It's all on my to do list.


I assume it's the same procedure for bulbs in the window switches.


Regards


Rocky15

 

Thanks a lot for the great write-up! My sport button LED just refused to light up anymore!
Cheers,
Alex

 

Just started work on this project.


I got the bulbs from CPC, sister company to Farnell. Cost approx. 85p.


My car is the XKR and what an absolute pain removing the J--Gate trim. Took a good hour and managed to break a clip, plus one was already broken, although on a used car you never know what's been removed before and possibly glued.


It will be a slight silicone sealant job on reassembly I think.


Maybe the XJ is slightly easier.


Anyway great thread and whilst the J--Gate panel is removed I'm planning on going all out and replace all the bulbs.

 

Are the J-Gate & Cruise bulbs the same, thanks.

Edit :

Question answered.

 

Sorry, its that long ago since I did it I can't remember. Pretty sure they are.

 

great write up, will have to keep this for a reference when needed. Thanks for the post

 

Doing this now, trying to switch a Sport Mode cover w/ a CC, wish me luck lol.

 

Well that's not feasible as the bases are different.