So I know this is a common problem - my dashboard goes out constantly on my 89 XJ6. I can't see the left or right side of my dashboards, so I can't see fuel amounts, temperatures, error messages, etc. The speedometer occasionally goes out as well. My temporary "fix" is smacking the dashboard to bring the speedometer back up. Occasionally the left and right side come back on.

So I'm thinking loose connections somewhere? Does anybody else have experience with this? If so, where do you suggest I start?

Thanks!

 

Hi Gardianlh,

Loose or corroded connections are a possibility, and you can clean and re-seat the electrical connectors for the instrument cluster to rule them out. To access the connectors, remove the driver-side knee bolster - here are photos showing how it's done on our '93 (a little different from your '89 but you'll get the idea):

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page


But the most common cause of your symptoms is broken solder joints on the circuit boards in the instrument cluster. Here are photos showing how to remove the cluster:

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page


And here are some threads that deal with the solder joint problems and related issues - as you will see, our member Rob Evenson is very knowledgeable on this issue - hopefully he'll chime in soon:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...working-26802/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...nt-fix-123817/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-panel-112095/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ts-dead-77696/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...n-fixed-72994/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...er-dead-76857/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-115181/page2/


And here is a thread from a member who converted his original Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) cluster to a later all-analog version:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ge-type-59239/

Cheers,

Don