I didn't like the LED bulbs I put in, so I changed them out with some regular 194 Sylvania Long Lifes. Since I had done it a couple of times already I figured I'd make a video for anyone interested in doing it themselves.

Sorry for the video quality. I must have a setting wrong on my camera because my videos are way too grainy. It's clear enough to show you what to do, though. I only show how to remove the cluster, but reinstalling is the same as removing it, just in reverse. It took less than ten minutes to remove the cluster and replace the bulbs. Reinstalling took another ten minutes, so the whole process was about 20 minutes. A first-timer can probably do it in under 30 minutes.

Here's the video: How to Change the Instrument Cluster Bulbs in an XK8

 

great video, should not be any problem when mineneed replaced. thanks

 

Great video! Is there a place you can load it so we could download it?

 

It's about a 26 meg file. I'm not sure where I can upload that so that others can download it. But it's right there on youtube, and once you've watched it you don't really need to watch it again. The process is pretty straightforward.

One thing, though. The first time I tried to do it I was following some directions that were a PDF in the FAQ section. Those directions don't say anything about taking off the knee bolster, and they say that the wood trim can be pulled off just like the wood trim around the nav system. Well that didn't work. I pulled and pulled and I was pulling so hard I'm surprised I didn't crack it. When I finally found the other directions and got the trim off by removing the knee bolster, I discovered that the wood is glued in place up near the trip computer buttons. Maybe the older XKs can be taken apart that way, but the 2003's sure can't.

 

Nice video Rev, FAQ linked it...of course We're getting spoiled by the video DIYers. Thanks for the hard work.

 

His Rev Sam,
You can upload the file via Hotfile , Rapidshare, megaupload .
Thanks for your time

 

Uh... what's hotfile, rapidshare, and megaupload?

LOL! I have no idea what those are, but I'll figure it out and try to do it this evening.

I feel so old.

 

I figured out how to use Rapidshare. Here's the link:

http://rapidshare.com/files/41143123...ement.wmv.html

 

Excellent

 

Thx 4 the video. A real help. Any experience with replacing the LED for the radio?

 

None whatsoever. Sorry.

 

REV,
THANKS! I downloaded it. I just like to keep good information at hand for future use. It was a great video. I like it when the errors are not edited out, because that really helps in not making the same errors.

 

Great video. Would never have tried replacing the bulbs without your guidance. I had been driving my 02 xkr with 1 bulb out. Jumped at the chance to fix it. Took everything apart, went and bought 4 bulbs and replaced them all. Excitedly put everything back together and checked the lights and 2 were out. Pulled everything apart again and pulled the bulbs out, bent out the contact wires and before putting everything back together checked the lights and they all worked. Thanks again.

 

Oh yeah! I should have mentioned that. After you have the instrument cluster reinstalled and the connectors plugged in, check the lights to make sure they work! That happened to me, too. and I had to tear everything apart all over again. It's much easier to fix it before you put all of the trim pieces back on.

 

rev.- terrific video. anyone know if the same led set-up is used in the 2011 xkr's. if so, i'll watch the vid. 100 times before any attempt. thanks again rev.!b

 

Rev Sam, got a question for you or anyone who might have an answer. I have an 05 XKR Conv. and followed the video (great video). Everything seemed to go smoothly until i realized I had bought the wrong bulbs for the lower lights instead of the upper ones. No worries, 20 min later i had the 194's. I changed out all four, buttoned every back up and turned the key... douggghhhh, no dash lights, all the rest of the lights were working, and it would not turn over. I got an "ER" message on the climate control display. Any ideas??? ...

Battery was working fine earlier. I had driven the car 20 min before I started the replacement, battery was only disconnected for an hour or so by the time i reconnected it.

 

Disconnect the battery again. Go back and make sure both instrument cluster connectors are fully seated. The bail on each of the connectors must rotate 180 degrees and draw down the connector.

 

WhiteXKR, thanks for the quick response, yeah i tried that first. took it all apart and tried again. Made sure everything is nice and tight. No luck. Started going through fuses related to the instrument panel to see if i could maybe find one that failed, but nothing yet.

 

I also found that when i lift the door handle the window drops a couple of inches. I tried to follow the window reset too. I heard the click after going up and down but haven't resolved that yet either.

 

Thank you Reverend, very nice video as always.
Two things:
1) You mention glue on the wood trim. How did you deal with that (the first time you removed it). Brute force?
2) To those of you who would like to download all those nice Youtube videos for local viewing (and use Windows): you might want to try Youtube Downloader HD. Works for me, and fast too - you just enter the URL (link) to the Youtube video you want, hit "download" and wham. No need to watch the whole thing before you can save it.
Just be sure to opt out of the silly "add-ons" when you install the application.