Adding a Trip Computer to a 1996 4.0 cat?
 

I currently have two XJS Convertibles, a 1995 V12 and a 1996
4.0 and one thing the V12 has that I really wish the 4.0 had
is the trip computer instead of that small analog clock.

This may sound strange to some but I'd like to swap them and
put the trip computer from the '95 V12 into my '96 4.0 and
the clock from my '96 4.0 into my '95 V12. That or buy a
trip computer (and of course would need the wood panel with
the correct sized hole) if I could find one cheap enough.

My question is, can I do this? I thought I remembered
reading somewhere that someone thought the harness and
connector for the trip computer was actually already inside
there ready to be plugged in even on 4.0 models that just
came with the clocks.

Can anyone confirm that and/or tell me if it's possible to
add a trip computer to my '96 4.0 and what all is required?

I've done this. No problem. The connector is back there. Very easy.

You will need to buy the correct wood trim, which I believe is still available!

Thanks, actually I'm thinking about taking the trip computer out of my V12 and putting in it and putting the clock from this one into the V12 (I assume that connector is also there).

Are the trip computers the same between the V12 and 4.0 or does each engine have it's own particular set of programming, or is there a switch on the back like some tachs have to tell it which engine you have?

Well I just came in from swapping trip computer and the clock between the two and went smoothly, very easy except for those phillips head screws they used on the wood panel inside at an angle on the clocks panel was a bit of pain, esp when it came to put them back in and get them started.


Other than that clock is now in the V12 and running and illuminating properly and the trip computer is in the 4.0 and the clock and illumination parts are working properly. Reset the trip stats of course and have not actually driven it yet so everything is still showing 0.0 but looks good so far. Will test drive tomorrow.

I added the trip computer to my 95 4.0 and it works fine. plus/minus about 5%. I bought it from Coventry West and don't know what year XJS it came from. Both my display lights were bad and I replaced them with green LEDs. Display does not dim when I turn on the lights though.

Im removing trip computer from my 86 coupe if that would help. PM me if interested.