I replaced a bulb in the three gauge cluster and all the dash lights stopped working, even the derectional lights, and the clock stopped working and there are engine service lights on, ABS lights on and the heater cluster beeps several times and there is an ER code showing until it beeps aprox5 times then it shows the temp. What happened? I only replaced a bulb good grief!!!!

 

The bulb you replaced was contagious. It managed to infect everything else moments before you replaced it. hahaha

Ok, I'll stop joking now.

Maybe you accidentally disconnected a wire(s)? Check to see if you didn't leave any wires or disconnected. If not, maybe try resetting the battery.

Now imagine if these cars had the Lucas electrics from the e-type. xD

 

Did not touch the wires. Justr the bulb. and put it back in. when I turned on the key & lights, that's when I discovered the nightmare!

 

It sounds like a connector did come loose in the cluster, its connected to all systems. Go back in, sorry.

 

I'm sure Matt's right - the instrument cluster is the hub of all sorts of systems and you must have displaced a connector.

 

Hi.

Do not EVER do anything to the main instrument cluster without disconnecting the battery first. Being a hub for all kind of systems, failure to do so may cause all kind of warnings and problems.

Good Luck

 

Check for bent pins on the two main harness connectors (arrowed in red) and also that the 'roll over' locking levers are properly engaged when you reconnect the two harness plugs.



Graham

 

Absolutely true! Especially when dealing with the 2 main connectors pictured above.

 

Thank you all for the great information. I again say that I did not touch any connecter. I only turned the three gauge center dash pod (oil, clock & amp) so I could replace a bulb.

I might have caused the harness to pull but that is really crazy. I tired to do the battery disconnect thing but it did not work. How long does it have to be disconnected? is 5 minutes enough?

I called my mechanic and he said he would check the harness tomorrow.

I am so angry. I only changed a stupid bulb!

I am never going to do anything ever again!!!

 

No, don't say that. These things happen and you CAN sort them - that's what this Forum's for.
Here's the reset procedure
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...connect-74146/
All you've done is strain a harness plug - sort it yourself and rhr Force will be with you!

 

So it was the CENTRE Panel (arrowed in red), not the INSTRUMENT PACK bulbs you've changed?



Graham

 

That is correct. That is why I am at a loss to understand this. It was one bulb. did not pull at wires nothing just removed and replace a bulb. frustrating.

 

Sounds to me like either the main instrument cluster fuse blew or the one of the connectors on the main instrument cluster was not well seated and pulled loose when you moved the wires for the 3-gauge cluster next door.

On your 1998, check fuse #10 in the driver side of the dashboard fuse box (a 5 amp fuse).

Also check fuse #14 (a 10 amp fuse) in the driver side fusebox.

 

So all you did was remove the Veneer followed by the four fixing screws and ease the Cluster forwards to access the bulbs?



If it's not a fuse blown, it has to be the harness (arrowed in black below) detached or not fully secured:



Reverse what you did and check the harness plug is fully engaged.

Graham

 

Rule 1 Disconnect the battery
Rule 2 Reconnect the battery

 

If the fuses are not blown and no obvious plug or wire problems I would suggest doing a hard reset and see what takes place.

 

A little creative editing -

 

Pulled the fuses and they were ok. I am going to let my mechanic check it out thursday morning. I am done playing with this car, I am really upset. I have had a really bad week with cars and all stupid stuff.

I HATE CARS!!!

Thank you everyone, I will let you know what he finds.

You guys are the best.

 

We all reach that point at times, you need a few days away from said machinery, clear your mind, and you'll feel better afterward.

 

Bad weeks must be contagious. My wife, ill with the flu, tried to get out of bed, yesterday, fainted, fell and broke her shoulder. My son got in a car accident with the XJ8 today. The wife's shoulder will eventually heal, and no one was hurt in the accident with my son, so I guess it's really a good week.