Well, mucking through, since I got my 00 XJ* back, minor issues that were pending its return.

Anyway, two of the backlight bulbs for the gauge cluster were burned out. Luckily not the speedo, but, it bugged me.

So, following the great instructions on the forum (THANKS!), disconnected the negative lead on the battery, removed the veneer panel, disconnected the multi-pin connectors, had the cluster out in a couple minutes, and the 4 large bulbs out of the case. Hmmm...one was definitely burned out when I ohm'd them out.

But those bulbs look familiar. Sure enough, they come out of the mount, and they're nothing but standard 12V type 658 bulbs. And, at < $.50 each, a LOT less than the complete assembly (Bulb and holder) from Jag.

658 - JKL - datasheet

Seeing as they are the exact same bulbs as are used in the channel on/off buttons on my audio console, I have bag of about 100 of them since they do tend to burn out about every 6 months or so (and, in a 14 channel radio station audio console, that is a lot of lamps of this type).

So, cleaned up the contacts in the holder with deoxit and a relay contact file, installed new bulbs in all 4 holders (remember to slightly pull the contact wires on the base of the bulb out a little bit), and reinstalled, slightly bending the fingers on the holder before putting them in to make a more solid contact on the traces in the back of the gauge set.

Installation was the reverse of disassembly (LOL). I found using a small wad of windshield butyl tape on the tip of the phillips screwdriver held the mounting screws nicely (so they didn't drop into the dash...) and upon reconnecting the battery and turning on the headlights was rewarded with full illumination of my gauge cluster.

Probably the easiest job on this car. Total time from start to finish? 25 minutes give or take.

Just thought I'd share for fellow newbies (and maybe some veterans).

 

Excellent information, thanks.

 

Proper info. & right on time as I currently have my veneer out to add chrome bezels to the gauges. Since I acquired the car the gas gauge & the far side of the speedometer has been out.

Kudos sir.

Edit : Do these require a green/blue colored sleeve ?!

 

If you are very careful, you can pry the sleeve loose from the original bulb.
I normally use a toothpick, round the end of it, then a drop of oil and a bit of careful poking.

 

Now we are on the subject of switch backlight, is the boot remote opening switch (somewhere around your left knee) illuminated?

 

Negative on mine, just checked it unless it too is out lol.

 

Thank you! I hope that concludes there is no bulb there, not that yours is blown .

 

What color are the bulb covers just in case, I'll pick some up when I grab the bulbs.

 

Fast majority are dark blue.
I think there are only few green in the center panel.
AC and/or radio display? I forgot.

 

AC and radio display are blue.

 

Awesome found the 658's @ Napa now let's just hope my surgeon like hands can handle the colored cap transplant lol this may go better w/ Rum hmmm.

Edit/update :
All's well so far just the 2 multi-plugs are the last thing holding it in, I'm trying to be gentle, but alas my patience wanes lol.





These 2 little guys are currently my nemesis' lol.

 

Ok total time vested so far, about 30 minutes lol. The multi-plugs to the harness have a locking mechanism in which I cannot get a grasp of (literally lol) w/ any type of pliers or digits(even tried my young son's small hands).

I think a rocks glass w/ a 50/50 ratio of island rum & green tea may be in order to conquer this.

 

I did not run down yet to look, so working my memory.
I think these connectors have a bridge-bracket, which needs to be swung away 90 degrees, you know that, right?
These bridge bracket should point at you (car-backwards), and normally need a push or pull to unlock before swinging away.
They should start to push out the connector once you swing them.

Hope my memory served me well, be careful, you don't want to break anything there..

EDIT - it is the black piece next to my arrow.

 

Yes I'm aware of the bracket just mine are not budging @ all, I don't want to use too much force. I was in a bit of a distracted mode maybe I was pushing the wrong way.

I will continue this quest tomm. or if the rum moves me inspired, then it shall be tonight ! My neighbors love it when I get in my garage banging & clanging around after midnight.

 

Ok I finally got back to this, removed cluster replaced the 2 offending bulbs I hooked back up just to make sure they worked & nothing worked ?!


I'm wondering if the cluster has an internal fuse I may have tripped.

 

First off, if you did not disconnect the battery when removing the cluster, disconnect it now.

Then try to re-seat the connectors. Note that as you rotate the black plastic handle, the connector must be automatically be drawn into the cluster, otherwise it is not seated properly.

 

Replaced all bulbs,re-seated plugs properly,powered up. Everything works except the same 2 initial bulbs ?! I gather their bases/holders are no good, I will try one more contact cleaning, then off to E-Bay to hunt for holders.

Did I mention it's near tornadic conditions here w/ constant 50 mph winds & torrential rain, oh the joys of working from one's uncovered drive-way.

The saga continues :

I changed the old still working bulbs into the 2 "out" holders & they worked, I also placed the new 658 bulbs vice versa to rule out bad holders.

 

I presume you routed and bent the bulb wires in the exact same way as the OEM's? Have a look at that, they just might not make contact with the board.

 

Yes I did to no avail,I may have one more go @ it.

These gauges will be fully illuminated tonight ! Grrrrrr lol.

Update :

Never seen this before, the new bulbs wire/contact was coated in some wax/film/plastic did not notice until I brought out my magnifying glass ?!

Mission accomplished it appears that I indeed had one bad bulb holder but I got everything changed & firing. I'll track down a holder online I moved the inoperable one down to the temp. gauge as I monitor that via Torque Pro app. But it will be fixed asap, just small things like this draw my eye & I can't let go until it's remedied. The blessing & the curse lol.