I have a 1995 XJ6,that has an electrical issue with some of the lighting. It seems that the gauge lights stay on even when the vehicle is turned off and the headlights are switched off. I have to pull the fuse out to keep my battery from going dead. The lights will not dim either. I replaced the dimmer switch and this did not help. Any ideas out there? Thank You

 

Grasshopper, from what you are saying, it sounds like it is only the instrument cluster that is remaining lit. If I am wrong with this, please let me know as this changes what the problem most likely is.

Now, assuming that only the instrument cluster lights are remaining lit, your problem lies most likely you are having a 12VDC supply coming in contact with the red/orange wire on the back of the dimmer switch. This is either Pin 4 or Pin 7 of your car depending on what motor you have with the car. I would first check the connection on the back of the dimmer to make sure that none of the pins around that wire are coming in contact with the red/orange wire. After that, you will need to look at the back of the instrument cluster. You will be looking at pin 10 of the FC9 plug. This will still be the red/orange wire. The only wire in the area that could do this is wire #22. Again, check the surrounding wires for any making accidental contact. If both of those are looking good, then you have a wiring harness issue and unless you are good at hand over handing wires, this may be something that a professional should handle. Not that it is hard, but it can be a royal PITA and may be well worth your time and effort.

If you do what to dive into this deeper, let me know and I will do what I can for you.

 

Thermo,thanks for the reply I will check that out. Oh yea it is just the gauge lights staying on.

 

Well over the weekend I checked the red/orange wire and had the interior all apart. Did not find anything touching or burnt. However I did find that (what the dealer calls the illumination module) was melted on the top corner. This is the small black plastic box that is underneath the lower part of the steering colum. It has two pig tails coming out of it one of which plugs into the dimmer and the other into the wire harness part of which goes to instrument cluster and the other to left rear fuse panel. I picked up a used one for $10 at a pull it yourself junk yard and tried it, still does the same thing but I noticed it gets very hot I don't think that is right not warm HOT.

Any ideas? I am stumped. I was told mabe a bad ground somewhere. I don't know. Thanks Again

 

Anyone have any other ideas? Thanks

 

Just wanted to post an update incase anyone else has this problem. I took a chance and found a used Illumination Module on ebay for $40 shipped, and this fixed the dash lights staying on all the time issue.

 

Grasshopper- Thanks for closing this post out. It really makes it all worthwhile to those of us who get involved and we learn a few things to boot.