Hi everyone,

I noticed the other night, when moving my XJ in the dark, that the instrument panel lights weren't working. I also noticed that the tail lights and front parking lights not working.

The next morning I went and checked all the globes around the car, all fine. I then checked the fuses behind the (S1)instrument panel, and they seemed fine too. It wasn't till I started trying the swtiches again that the instrument lights all started working again, but then flickered off.

I couldn't see any obvious problems on the back of the panel, but I know very little about electrics, particularly old British electrics.

I've put everything back together, and I can get the instrument lights and tail/park lights to work after a few toggles of the instrument panel light swtich. I'm guessing a lose wire or something?

Sorry for the long post, but anyone have any ideas on how to diagnose/fix?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers
Mike

 

The switches get dirty inside and do not make contact... moving them briskly back and forth "several times" may resolve your problems.

Jaguar stuff has to be used or it "quits"... I have some spares for my cars and substitute them when moving them does not resolve the problem.

You can take them out - after you learn how they are held in - two tabs - one in the rear and one in the front... push one down and then the switch
down enough to hold it partially open and then release the other. The switch will fall downward with the pushing pressure..

Take a picture of the wires first... or take careful written notes or both. Remove the wires and examine the switch... some types of electronic
cleaners can be used or you can take apart, clean them and use proper lube and reassemble. You can test each wire position with a meter.

Lots of fun... use them all the time and keep them working.

 

Thanks for the advice Roger.

A few rounds of toggling of each of the switches did seemed to do the trick.

 

Typo: Should be = "You were lucky"... too early and no coffee as yet...


Just after posting my reply to yours, the '72 car starting going crazy with no gauges lights or instrument lights (see post).. not a simple switch problem... car is driving me nuts!