How is the center panel in the instrument cluster illuminated? Fluorescent panel, LED, kerosene, fire flies? Mines getting dimer & dimer. Have it set to maximum. Can it be changed without replacing the entire instrument cluster? How difficult to do? Can't see didily squat when in bright light. Is this the right place in this forum for this post?

 

Catalyst, what you are experiencing is referred to as "backlight fade". It is a series of lights (based on year, most likely LEDs) that go around the edge of the LCD screen that shine light into it to cause a reflection and show what you see. You can test this out using a small, bright flashlight. You can get your display to come on and then shine the light on to the center part, laying the flashlight parallel to the screen. If this is the case, you will see the image get brighter where the light is shining.

 

Moved to the XK (X150) section where you will get better response

 

Year is 2009 as stated in post.

 

Sorry you didn't get a helpful response. I was interested in a reply as I have the same condition with my '09.

 

I'd help if I knew anything about this problem, but I do not.

 

I have a similar problem. My central display is very erratic so it can be nice and bright or illegible. I have found a company to repair it here in UK for about £200. I haven’t got round to it yet as the wether has been nice so I have been driving it! I am going to send off the unit in autumn/winter. I imagine there would be someone in US who could do the same. I don’t think it is a diy job!

 

Did yer check the display settings?

 

^^ Thanks, McJag. That was a good suggestion. I checked (and reset mine to max brightness) but it unfortunately did not affect the center instrument cluster display. It also didn't make any difference if the auto dimming was off or on.
I also have the brightness knob that's part of the trunk button/gas cap release button group turned all the way up. It doesn't seem to do anything when I turn it up or down. The dim illumination must be something specific to the instrument cluster.
Cheers.

 

Might be right there - not easy to trouble shoot.

 

We understand that you are having problems with the ICP, AKA speedometer/tach.
The general illumination is by COB (chip on board) LEDs.
See as similar: The center display about 2" x 3 may also be replaced as seen in the video.
OSRAM does a great job discussing failure but gives no guesstimate for lifetime. 00102625_0.pdf (osram.com)
If you find no problem at the brightness control (check the voltage drop), we might assume that 2024-2009= 15 years is the nominal lifetime of the LEDs.
Please post your results when you conclusively identify the problem.

best regards,

Bill