Is there an easy way to upgrade the lighting in my odometer, tach, and other gauges? 1989 XJS

 

Hi Sean, I'm about to do mine. I checked out V12.com and their LED upgrade kits look great. They have different colors, i like the red.

If you need specific help on getting to them let me know. I did it the first time a couple weeks ago and it's super easy.

Michael

1988 XJS - Sent from my LG-G2 using IB AutoGroup

 

...totally worthwhile.

Check out my post:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-night-116184/

 

The LED conversion seems the way to go but.....

If you're looking for something easier, or a stop gap measure, try bypassing the rheostat. Only takes a few minutes. The rheostats often develop excessive resistance which weakens the already-not-very-bright panel illumination.

I bypassed the rheostat on my XJS (as well as my Ser III XJ6) and was pleased enough with the improvement to 'call it good'.

On a side note....

I had to chuckle a bit when I got my 1995 Jag. As opposed to the older Jags with notoriously weak panel lights my XJR has very strong panel lights. I adjust them down to about 50% intensity. At full intensity it's just too much for my eyes!

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks guys this is great. How do I get at them? Was hoping it was a quick DIY job.

 

First, extend steering wheel all the way out. Do this by turning the ribbed locking wheel right on the column. Then just pull towards yourself and steering wheel will extend out.

Next, should be plastic tab covers right next to each turn signal. Just pop these straight off to expose a screw under each one. Take out those screws.

Next take out the screw top center of warning/indicator lights, just below the dash lip. Don't lose the little square plastic piece. Then take out the small side screws to left of speedometer and right of tach. At this point you should be able to remove the warning lights/indicator panel as well as the panel over speedometer and tach.

Now you should see a couple black screws. Take them out. Now the cluster assembly should be loose. Wiggle it out just a bit and on tach side reach behind and there should be a clip plug. Squeeze ends and pull out. Now in center rear of cluster there is a identical clip plug. I got to it from speedo side. Once that is out it is a matter of wiggling instrument cluster out.

Once out the bulb sockets just pull straight out. Then bulbs pull straight out.

Reverse to re-install.

This is all from memory from doing it once for the first time a couple of weeks ago for the first time myself.

Hope this helps. And again, LED lights are the way to go. Saw them at Pep Boys the other day too. Individually they seemed pricier than V12.com package but perhaps you could throw just a couple in if you can't afford the whole package.

Regards,
Michael

1988 XJS - Sent from my LG-G2 using IB AutoGroup