I picked up a RHD full panel a while back to get a couple of bits I needed for my '83 Series 3. It had full instruments so I assumed that they would be spares for may car. However the part numbers are all different. I went thru the parts manual and found that the instruments frequently have multiple part numbers depending on where in the world and the VIN of the car. These are all electric instruments and operate off the same wiring and sensors. Does anyone out there know why the part number variability? I can understand perhaps changes in the face plate graphics, but are they otherwise compatible?

 

Early Series III cars used Smiths instruments. Circa 1983 Jaguar began using to Veglia instruments...but not all at once. It was a phase-in type of thing. Plus, the metric/Imperial reading differences. Plus electric versus cable drive speedometers. Plus V12 versus 6-cylinder. Plus (and I'm not quite positive on this) I think the very early cars used instruments with the outer bezel being a slightly different profile. So....lots of different part numbers, yes

They should all be cross-compatible as far as electrics as concerned. Same sending units, same wiring, etc. I don't think you have any problem.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for the quick enlightenment. This may be the shortest thread ever.
That makes sense, a change in source is often a part number change as well. And usually the new source would provide backward compatible components. It seems I have a full set of spares, including the electric speedometer.
I just occurred to me that I should be able to determine the donor car VIN range from the part numbers on the instruments to compare to my own. I've not had the opportunity (or reason) to pull the instruments to check the part numbers. I got the panel for the UK warning light module because I converted my car to UK/European lighting, including the Rear Guard light. The harness has all the right wires, it's just a matter of using the appropriate switches and lights.