My xjs convertible 1996 just developed a new one - the dasbhoard lights - just the instrument panel, not the idiot lights or any other interior lights - has gone out. It was intermittent for about a week or two - you would turn on the headlights and the panel would be dark but in 1-5 minutes it would turn on. I've wiggled the switches and the rheostat dimmer, no effect. I've read through the various electrical diagrams I can find but haven't been able to locate where I might start fixing this issue. Obviously it is some kind of bad or corroded connection - thus the intermmitence and not a fuse - but I don't know if or where I can access the wiring harness to see about fixing this. Anyone?

 

Try bypassing the rheostat dimmer, they are well known for going pear shaped.
Just drop the panel, pull the wires and connect them together.
If that doesn't work then you have a load more exciting investigation to look forward to!

 

Check to see if your park lights are working also with the park lamps turned on. I have a 1995 and as I remember my relay went out under the hood and took out the dash lights and the park lamps. Let me know and I can steer you to the correct relay to check out if you find your park lamps are also not working.

 

Thanks guys - I'll take a look at both of those suggestions and let you know!

 

Hey Luvmy'XJS - looks like it IS that relay - The lights were out again today and I did a walk around and had NO running lights - yikes! even though I had headlights. So this needs fixing asap. If you have any way of orienting me to that relay - description of location, a photo, anything - that would be awesome. The intermittence leads me to think that is it likely just loose or corroded. Thanks for any help!

 

I replied earlier today in a PM but I want to make sure everyone knows where to find this relay. Open the hood ( for those of you across the big pond you will want to open your cars bonnet ) and you will see a row of 5 relays on the inside of the drivers fender. This row of 5 relays sits between the inside of the drivers fender and the air intake canister that holds the engine air filter on the AJ16 4.0L engine. The relay that works the dash cluster lights along with the park lights is the 2nd from the front of the row (front being closest to back side of drivers side head light). The good news is the 3rd relay from the front or middle relay in the row is for factory fog lights so this is the relay to switch out with the relay 2nd from the front to make sure it is the relay causing the problem. My 1995 does not have factory fog lamps but did have the fog lamp relay sitting in the 3rd from the front slot so hopefully yours will also.

 

Many thanks - going to try switching those relays now. Much appreciated.

 

Don't forget to keep us posted on progress...

 

Sorry for the slow replay - I was away - I switched the relays and that seems to have fixed the issue - now I'm wondering where to get replacement relays so I am prepared in the event of another failure. I jotted down the type and part no. but no luck finding online yet. Anyone have a good source for this kind of thing?

 

eBay has tons.

 

Wow I will try that tonight... as my dash lights are also out... my fogs work though...

 

running lights ok fog lights on every light on the outside is ok (except I lost a fog light bulb) the instrument panel lights are out and the lights behind the switches and the shifter and cigar lighter, so I ordered a dimmer module. it is here I need to put it in and try it...

 

I had the same problem with my dash lights and parking lights. First they intermittently started not working then failed altogether. Through this forum I found out it was my relay. I changed it out and problem solved!

 

Annnnd BAM!
TY Luvmy XJS!
Now, on to NAPA!

 

mine was / is the dimmer control

ordered one on ebay

replaced

same problem

analyzed circuit

made jumper to by pass the dimmer...

have dash lights will readdress the problem after I fix radiator and power steering leaks....