I would like to know what kind of LED is used for lights indicating in the XK8 instrument cluster. It is soldered to the circuit board. I also did was not able to disconnect ribbon terminals to the circuit board. Any hints appreciated. Thanks

 

Which light indicator? Some are tiny bulbs in sockets accessible only from the front and some are soldered in LEDs.

See my RealGauge instructions http://www.thejagwrangler.com/upload...on_rev_1.2.pdf, steps 7-9, for how to open up the cluster and unplug the ribbon cable.

 

I still do not know what LED indicating "lights on" I should get. It is soldered on the printed circuit in the cluster. I also need to know how to take it apart without damaging it. It seems to be very fragile.

 

The 'Lights On' (green) indicator is not an LED, it is an ultra-tiny 'E73' wedge base light bulb. This is it: https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/12...0E73-10PK.html

It is in a socket (the socket is soldered, but the light bulb simply plugs in). It is only accessible from the front of the cluster, so the circuit board needs to be unplugged and removed from the housing to access it.

Yes, the assembly is fragile, but if you handle it carefully it can be done safely. You will need to unplug the four ribbon cables at the top and the red display connector, as well as remove all the screws retaining the circuit board. The document I linked to previously takes you a good part of the way there.

 

I took it apart. In my cluster it is is 73 with T1.75 socket. I have replaced it, but something went horribly wrong. I do not have cluster illumination, tachometer does not work and all warning lights are on and the transistor next to a big condenser get very hot.

 

First make sure none of the pins on the two large connectors are bent.

Then, make sure that the two large connectors are fully seated.

Also check both fuses 14 and 18 in the fusebox on drivers's side of the dashboard and make sure neither one is blown.

And also...do not plug or unplug the cluster while the battery is connected.

 

I de-solder the overheating chip, but cannot find any reference to what it really is. Here are S/N numbers : W990A9832 Made by ST or another number is 70022FB. Can anyone help? Thanks

 

I did check all that. I probably have to by another cluster, or at least, if I can find it, the mother board. What looked as a simple bulb change turned to a disaster.

 

One of these?



I just happen to have one lying around (as you do!) Now I would love to sell you this VERY RARE and HIGHLY EXPENSIVE board for $50,000 ......... but - it might be busted! Now I'm in the all original Hampshire (UK), and for the postage cost I'll send it to you because I can't be certain it's a good unit. Cost prob Ł5. If nothing else you could lay into it with your soldering iron and maybe next time blow up the whole neighbourhood!

 

Look on ebay. Used cluster can be had for well under $100. Shop carefully though.

Note that the '96-99 clusters , '00-'02, and '03 and later clusters are different and not compatible. (Note that Jim's cluster above has different connectors than yours does and is a later model cluster.)

Also clusters from supercharged and non-supercharged cars do not have compatible software.

Clusters also have software versions which may not be compatible, but if you get one from the same model year, in most cases it should work.

You cannot readily change the odometer mileage, so also try to get one where the mileage is close to yours.

On the plus side, XK8 and XJ8 clusters from the same model year group can be interchanged, so that expands the pool of available units.

Lastly, be sure to disconnect the battery before installing the replacement. Plugging these in under power can destroy them.

 

To jimforrest - yours has different terminals.

 

I already ordered one from the Ebay. It is from the 1998 XJ. It seems to me that odometer is driven from smaller daughter board connected to the motherboard by the red connector.But now feeling a little uneasy about attempting to replace just tha main board and use my instruments, ot just swap to whole thing. Any advice on that option?

 

Swap the whole thing. The storage for the odometer is on the main board, so even if you swapped the LCD display, the odometer reading would not change.

 

Automotive Scientific Inc. | Quality Rebuilt Automotive Electronics | Rogersville, TN - perhaps these people can help you

 

I have received and installed a new instrument panel. Everything works except for lights. Dimmer works only as a switch - on/off. The gauges lights are on only in the lights off position and in the Parking lights position with the ignition key in position one. As soon as I start the engine the gauges lights go off. In the "auto" position they are never on.What is causing it? Any idea? I got so proficient in removing the dash panel that it takes me four minutes. But I want it solved.
Thanks anyone.

 

Whatever damaged the instrument cluster may have also damaged the dimmer module. See https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-module-31455/

 

a new panel installed, all lights work, but a new quirky problem has arisen. A new post needed.