Hi there, I'm hoping someone may be able to help me solve the problem I'm having with the instrument cluster in my 2009 XK. When I start the car in the morning the screen between the speedo and rev counter is very dim and I struggle to read the information. After about 10 minutes it brightens up and is fine for the rest of the drive only to repeat the following day. I have a new battery in the car and the alternator is working fine. The dealer said this was very common in older cars but I'm not so sure. Before I paid for the car 3 weeks ago the cluster was removed and checked but it seems the specialist was unable to replicate the problem and it was refitted to the car with the issue remaining. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

There should be a dial on the right side of the steering column that adjusts the brightness of the cluster. It sounds as though yours may be failing. As the witch heats up it is getting brighter. You might try spraying it with electronic cleaner and see if if it just corrosion causing the high resistance. The dial is a rheostat that can be turned up and down to control brightness. The higher the resistance the dimmer the lights.

 

Welcome to the forum Brian,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to XK/XKR forum. This is the place to post technical questions about your model. I've also deleted the duplicate from New Zealand Region forum.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some information about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Thank you for taking the time to reply to this question. I've had it in to two auto electricians and the later one suggested it was the transformer in the cluster which powers up the LED screen I called the dealership and they could only supply a complete unit at $5000! They told me a second hand unit would not work in my car...

 

Brian,

I have gone through the whole process of replacing a failed instrument cluster. Take a look at the following link:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...roblem-191580/

Hope this helps.

Ken

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply Ken! Sounds like you have been through a lot with your car!

 

Well, that was educational and informative ... and depressing. I've recently begun experiencing the same "dim at start" issues that Brian is, and am dreading the replacement cycle you experienced. Electronic failures are a part of owning a 10-year old vehicle, and eventually it will be the reason I release my cat into the wild.