quick question- are there two light bulbs under the shifter to light the gear positions? it seems dimmer towards the back (like by park). I didn't want to take it apart to find there was only one bulb and that was how it was supposed to look Thanks!

Steve R
1998 xj8 L

 

thats normal.. 2 bulbs..

 

So there are two bulbs? Are they difficult to change? Thanks so much for the response.

 

Both my bulbs have gone and I had to dismantle the J-Gate to get at them, only to discover they're soldered into the circuit board, and couldn't remove them to get replacements until I get round to de-soldering them. Be aware also if you do take them apart because the little coloured domes that give them the Ice Blue colour can fall out without you noticing. Good Luck, Stu.

 

I've just noticed that at night I only have one button on the J gate that is backlighted (Sport mode). The cruise control button is dark. Do I have a bulb out ? I can't remember if it's ever lit up (getting old, etc)

If it has gone, I assume the bulb is going to be soldered into the switch ?

 

The Switches would probs be the same as the Gate and soldered in, though you'd have to split the switch. Being Ford Switch gear I'd advise going to the scrappy & getting a couple of similar switches from Ford's of that era to try first to make yourself familiar with the construction of them. Thats what I did when I had to break apart switches on my old Fiesta to change the colour of the bulbs. Good Luck! S.

 

The gear positions are supposed to be illuminated??? Had no idea! Just thought the selected one lit up and nothing else.

SARC, both those buttons should also light up. My Sport mode one is out - haven't gotten around to dealing with it yet.

 

Yeah White line that follows the pattern of the shifter is supposed to light up in that Ice Blue colour the clocks and switches light up in, but it seems the bulbs aren't up to much with length of life! Only half of mine lit up until I investigated, then broke the other bulb, so now none of it lights up until I get round to fixing them!

 

The bulbs can be replaced with RadioShack 272-1154 units. The bulbs are clear, I reused the blue plastic sheath to give the correct color.

I did the soldering work with the circuit board in the car, the connections were too delicate to attempt to break.
I used a desoldering braid to remove the old solder and bulbs and put in the new ones. If you have any kind of soldering experience you can do it.

 

Ok, thanks all.

I've just done the same thing (pull switch part, clean, put in new bulbs) with multiple switches in my XJS which weren't lighting up so I'll have a go at the XJR cruise control switch at the weekend.

 

i've done the same job today...i ordered the exact radio shack part number and soldered them in, order a few extras as i broke one trying to do it...total pain in the butt...here are my pics...i cut the pins of the light to different lengths to make it easier to solder it in...it is nice to have the light again...i just need to do the same to my cruise control and sport button back lights as those have been out for a while...

 

cadrad: Not to beat a partially dead horse. But as others have said, these can be removed and new ones soldered in. Another post mentioned Radio Shack 272-1092 (2.95 / 2), I used these. These, steady hands and a good pencil soldering gun will do the trick. The circuit board can be unplugged from the left side of the shifter box (white plug?), it will make the job a whole lot easier. Be careful with the two very small phillips screws that hold everything in place. My bottom/aft one was broken, allowing cover to sit a little high when reassembled. Good luck.

 

i feel like i am in a space ship now that my shifter illumuniation bulbs have been replaced...i had no idea till i replaced them...as they were burnt out when i bought my jag...