The dash cluster between the speedo and tacho is dim and practically unreadable when the car is first started. After about a half hour drive, it comes bright and remains that way. I have replaced the switch cluster with the dimmer switch but no good. Any thoughts? Dennis

 

Welcome to the forums Dennis,

If only it was a simple as a bulb!

As a newbie, you can't yet download documents from the forum so here's the description section from the Workshop Manual:






Diagnostics (Jaguar SDD or equivalent) is likely to give relevant codes for troubleshooting.

Graham

 

many thanks.......off on the 'hunt'

Dennis

 

That problem is USUALLY the headlights are Auto-On in a garage, then stay on for an additional minute when pulled into sunlight.
Your Half Hour would preclude that, however. I just mention it in case someone else has a similar problem.

 

Could be a faulty ambient light sensor?

 

I bought a T-bird decades ago and I couldn't see the dash for nothing (had the new and fancy digital speedo). I went a week complaining, then I noticed the dash pad that was on it. Sure enough, it blocked the Light Sensor. I cut a hole and it worked perfect after that.
No, without the dash pad the glare was horrible. It had a beige leather dash that reflected terribly in the light.

 

I have the same problem in my 2009 XK. I had the cluster sent away to a specialist and he said it was due to a faulty voltage regulator inside the unit. The only fix was to get a donor cluster and use the part from that in the original cluster. The issue he said was to find one with the same numbers, year etc. You could try just swapping out clusters but there is an issue with programming the donor to the car. I gave up in the end and just put up with it as it's not getting any worse after 3 years of ownership.

 

The cluster stores important VIN specific vehicle data and functionality and can’t simply be exchanged for another without SDD software.