Hi

I`ve a 1998 XJ8 3.2

The bulbs soldered to the PCB below the J Gate have both blown so all in darkness in the night.,looks naff!

I have read several threads that say thes bulbs can be removed and replacements re soldered to the PCB.

My question is exactly what bulbs are required?

I have read some threads that suggest 12v, 50ma T1 bulbs. I have found some of these on internet but there appear to be different dimension bulbs with varying pin centres?
I understand Radioshack sell replacements but as I am in the UK we no longer have Radio shack. Does any one know where I can source replacements in the UK?
thanks
Jeff

 

I used maglight bulbs on one, and plan on using led's on mine

 

Hi Sean

many thanks for the info, does the brightness of the maglite bulb match ok with the rest of the dash illumination?
I thought the Maglite mini bulbs were used with the AA or AAA battery torches so voltage would be approx. 3 volts, wont these blow on the 12v PCB.

thanks

Jeff

 

2nd that, unless they make an 8-cell maglight!

 

Radio Shack bulb#272-1092

 

I soldered bulb holders to the board. Same problem finding the bulbs quickly for my friends car so used what was handy. He was going on a 2000 mile trip to Italy and wanted the car 100 percent.

 

finally got around to doing the job. through much trawling of internet I found the exact bulbs to replace the originals. I purchased from e bay for c£2 for two. They are supplied by RS Components, part No RS 587-579. They are 60ma Bi Pin T1 style bulb and the blue rubber cap slips off the old bulb and directly onto these. Getting at the PCB is a little fiddly but if you take your time, and dont drop and screws into the console, (which is easily done) you can get at it in 10 mins. My son held the PCB with the underside facing me and as I heated both solder joints at the same time he was able to pull the failed bulbs out. Refitting was the same principle, I heated both solder pools simultaneously and he pushed the replacement bulb back through the PCB. Just a case of snipping off the surplus tails. Worked first time and looks fab. The difficulty is finding a supplier for the bulbs as I think RS may have discontinued the above product but may have a very similar replacement that will do the job. Hope this helps some body else!

 

I don't suppose you have a seller name or anything do you because both of my J gate bulbs have gone and I'd like to replace them. Which reminds me I must get bulbs for the centre console buttons too! Oh and the window switches!

 

Can the PCB be removed from the shift mechanism and out of the console for repair at a workbench, or is it better done in place?

 

I would say there is a need here for equivalent part numbers and stores/sources for owners on both sides of the Pond....

 

An alternative is to heat up the solder pads just before refitting and use a solder sucker to clean out the old solder. You are then left with two virgin holes just like a new pcb. Poke the wires through, fold to 45 degrees for retention, solder, snip.

 

The PCB is soldered to the wiring loom so you would have to de solder the 6/8 contacts to remove from the car, so all in all easier to do in situ

 

I purchased off e bay from "annb007" the item number was 130491925433, you could try here and contact seller

 

Nice One! I just emailed them so hopefully some good news will come.

 

Boomer: I just did mine with the bulbs from Radio Shack #272-1092, $1.99 for 2, still available. I would recommend pulling the assembly out, if you remove wood ski slope, and console, you can then unplug white harness plug on drivers side of shifter box and remove from car to work on. If you've had the console out before, you know this is no big deal to remove. If you'ld like I can mail you a board (99xj8) for you to play with, fix it, swap it out, and mail me back your old one for my ever growing parts box.

 

Rae -

I was out looking at my console and shifter, and realized that the J-gate illumination cable did in fact go around and connect at a plug. So that's good news - the illumination module can be removed. I was hoping to avoid having to pull the console back, but maybe there isn't room to get in unless you do.
Anyway, I've done a lot of electronic assembly and repair in the past, so once I get at the bulbs, shouldn't be a problem. While I'm at it, maybe I should replace the bulbs in the heater module as well. Does anyone know what those bulbs are?

 

Hello Chaps, just thought I'd add this picture to show what a fully working and illuminated J-Gate looks like for those who haven't seen it:

 

that looks like a half working j gate module :-)

 

Looks like it would be nice when finished. Those bulbs never worked in my 97 XJR, don't work in my dads XK8, and don't work in my 02 XJR.....makes me want to start another project, but my soldering skills aren't the best...

 

@pdog2000, good job of spotting it... it is only half working. The bottom half illuminates too, Stu1986. Mine have both burned out in the past few months. I want to fix it, but I don't want to screw up the J-Gate's electrics