So as with age the car is just dropping parts lol. Has anyone had any luck with anything aftermarket to replace the housing or any luck finding the original plastic covers? I know if I leave it long it will corrode and possibly cause electrical issues. Didnt know if anyone had used anything like this and been successful.

eBay Link

I know those wouldnt work per se, but something like that.

 

I found individual left and right covers for $44 each on Ebay, or you can buy the entire assembly for both left and right for $63 on Ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/04-07-Jagua...kAAOSwNwhca5pf

I found some lens only for $30 each from different Jaguar part suppliers with a google search also.

Good luck.

 

Jaguar Classic Parts now has an X350/X358 index
They have them

 

I paid less than those prices for a new light complete from the main dealer, worth asking them first as we normally assume ebay will be cheaper, I have found on several occasions I can buy brand new for less than ebay prices here in the UK !

 

Awesome thanks guys I did end up hitting up a junkyard so seeing what they say...those little things are crazy expensive lol

 

I'll second that the revised lamp assemblies are cheaper than the lenses alone. It's also worth noting that the left and right are different, and labeled accordingly.

 

Agree about staying away from the dealer's parts dept.
Even with my shop discount, most parts are way to much.
Every now & again (rarely) the part is almost reasonable.
Just a heads up on the parts numbers at the dealer, & to see if available.
So many parts are not, it just saves time calling to see if available.

 

Your guys are awesome thanks!

 

C2C25572 and C2C25573 are both around £15 retail in the UK (complete assembly with bulb and holder).

I replaced them on my XJR a couple of weeks ago after noticing one lamp cover and bulb was completely missing, and the other was very loose fitting. The new ones still only have a very slight engagement when clipped in and they are extremely tight so hard to clip in. I ended up removing a bit of the black plastic holder where the cover clips in and putting a small slip of PVC tape on the mating edge to bind it. They are much easier to remove and refit with a bit more clearance.

Also worth fitting LED bulbs to reduce the heat as over time the bulb holders melt and the bulbs will keep blowing.

 

That's what I found , maybe we ought to buy them up and ship them across to the US !!

 

Was able to remove lens. Bulb base was corroded to holder. In attempting to separate, holder fell back behind black housing...left with the curved housing with hole in middle. Naturally, I need to remove that to get to the wiring...how do I do that, pry it out? What do I need (parts/assembly) to put this back together?

 

At some point you'll need to access the rear of the lamp for ease of repair or replacement. Open trunk, remove the plastic push-in clips that secure the trunk lid liner to the trunk. You'll need to remove the two similar black clips that hold the latch shroud on as well.

This thread briefly touches on the removal of those : https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...efresh-215567/

Once the liner and exterior chrome plinth are off you can see how the number plate lamp is fitted, and remove it for repair or replacement. I recently had to order a new right one which should be here in a day or two, and I planned on doing a small write up once it arrived. It sounds like at least one new lamp is in your future. I'm needing to replace mine due to a similar corrosion issue.

 

I am looking forward to your write-up and will review the link. Thanks!

 

Arrived today. I'm sure some independents have some, but this is the last one in Jags current US stock. There's plenty of them in the UK, but they can't ship due to some customs issue. Facing the same problem with some Land Rover number plate lamps.
Ahh, new parts.

 

That’s great! I went to a nearby junkyard, found a crashed 2004 XJ8! Snapped up about 10 trunk liner clips, a trunk light assembly, a lens cover and taillight bulbs. In the process of removing the liner’s clips and exposing the lighting wiring, etc., I could see how everything re to the number plate lamps comes together. I removed the clips holding the bulb holders to the connectors. Figures that all I need is two bulb holders which probably come without clips...ordered through SNG Barratt. The seats for the bulb holders seem OK. Much easier working on vehicle which you have no fear of destroying! Gave me the confidence to tackle this lighting issue when the bulb holders arrive!

 

Thats the way of it for fixing any vehicle, I M H O.
New parts are great if affordable.
Many are with my bike shop discount.
But MOST still seem rather pricey.
We wind up at bone yards, & Ebay, when new is no longer available.
Or too expensive

 

This forum is such a great resource... Just yesterday I noticed that both the lenses were missing from my newly acquired X350. Prices online ranged from 40/50 USD or 35/40 euro per lens plus shipping.
I found a pair on e.bay from a breakers yard in the UK for a grand total of £10.00 ( USD 12.60) + £4.00 postage to Ireland. It doesn't happen to often with big cats but I do love an occasional bargain.

 

These license plate lights lenses are a PITA after about 10 years or so due to heat and road grime.The lens on the left (looking from the rear) has been jiggled loose many times and I'm not sure why I've not lost it. (knock on wood). They also get very grungy and lose transparency. I removed them (carefully) and soaked them in sudsy water with about a couple tablespoons of ammonia for about 30 minutes then cleaned'em with an old toothbrush and rinsed. Then I polished them with a light compound and waxed them with Maguier's or something similar.

The trick is getting the dang things back into their respective slots. I've found that putting a touch of silicon grease on the lens tabs and putting the lens almost into the 'snap in' slots I can finagle them using a small flat blade screwdriver (or a plastic spudger) and finesse them into place. A satisfying 'click' will ensue.

The sockets in the trunk lid are about to go so that is a forthcoming project + LEDs194 T10 W5W. Stay safe everyone.