I own a 2005 X100 XKR convertible and have noticed of late that in bright sunshine (having to use Sunglasses) that the larger instruments are dim and indistinct. At 80 years old I can no longer have the pleasure of working on my car so my independent local Jaguar garage has recommended swapping out the 3w bulbs for 5w (still incandescent). Having trawled the internet I see that I am not the only one for whom this is an issue, and found on YouTube a very interesting video showing an LED conversion by a very knowledgable gentleman called Richard Astley. The links on the video appear to be out of date as it was uploaded 6 years ago. Can anybody recommend specific T10 bulbs which give good results? I realise I would lose the dimming capability at night but frankly I don’t see that as an issue. I have specified T10s as I only wish to replace the 4 larger instrument bulbs as I find the other (T5) bulbs adequate. Many thanks.

PacificBlue

 

@77 I know what you mean ...just change for leds ..I used blue ones gauges as well looks real prity

 

I used the Sylvania LED T10s and did not lose the dimming function.

 

Many thanks for your very helpful reply. As I am from totally the wrong generation to understand LEDs I need to hopefully pick your brains further. I am looking at a single bulb Sylvania LED Light 194 T10 White 6000K Bulb (Formula-J87 (159591)), for £19.79. It does not mention any dimming capability but does mention possible flickering problems. Am I on the right track?? Thanks again
PacificBlue

 

These LED bulbs will only work one way around so you need to mark which is the +ve and fit to suit or they wont work

 

Many thanks for the tip!

 

The sylvanias I used have a nice mark on them denoting the + side. Makes it a little easier when changing all the bulbs.

On my XKR One of the (original) bulbs near the tach was burnt out, and finally I got around to replacing it and all the others with the LED’s.

A very nice improvement to the driving experience.


Z

 

It will be interesting to see if the new fangled LED bulbs last longer than the original tungsten bulbs.

 

Removing the unit is not difficult ...trim 4 screws ..I just pulled the two plugs ..did not even disconnect the battery and it lifts out bulb holders on rear 3 screws easy to replace but not no 4

 

I did 3 of the T5s as well, each indicator flasher and the backliight for the info display, which I can now see with the roof down a sunny day!

 

hard to beat 20 + years. All of my original dash bulbs were working at the 22 year mark except the one.

Z

 

You might find 6000K too 'stark'. That price is insane for 1 LED.

 

Yeah, that seems like way too much for one bulb.

Does anyone have a total listing of the LED bulbs and sizes needed to do a complete replacement?

Instrument panel, center climate bank, 3 dial dash (if applicable).

Also, when replacing, can one just go with clear LEDs for all, or do you need to source green/blue/clear like the original?

Lastly, any recommendations on choosing bulbs with marked polarity on them like @zray suggested?

 

Following this thread.
I'm thinking red instrument lights would look good in my all-black car (body and leather, panels are walnut). Another add to my rapidly growing to-do list

 

Check out this video. Good tutorial on LEDs for the XK8 interior. Bonus for LMG is that at 21:32 it references a black on black XK8 with all red interior bulbs.

 

I think all the Sylvania’s have the red dot.

Amazon USA/

https://a.co/d/3wqaxw9

see the red dot demoting the “+” side :

 

Hah, thanks!
That looks about as cool as I imagined it, no choice but to go for it now.