I spent the weekend replacing a few bulbs in the dash. Three in the main instrument cluster and two in the climate display panel. Sam's how-to videos were invaluable in that they gave me the confidence to tackle the job in the first place. It's not especially technical, but you do need to rip out half the interior to access the bulbs, which is what takes the time (I spent 3-4 hours in total), and having Sam holding my hand whilst I was doing the work was very reassuring.

As you can see in the photo, I had him on my Samsung Galaxy tablet, which was poised on my tool chest as I worked

Many thanks, Sam. We all hope you get your XKR soon so we can start enjoying your videos again

 

+1

In situations where a replacement bulb doesn't fix things, opening up the Instrument Cluster is the only option:



With this one, there was a break in the top track (circled in red) which required resoldering.



A similar issue to the Seat Modules which can also get track breaks.

Graham

 

Was that a Reverend Samsung Galaxy ?

 

Maybe we should start a fund to help Sam get his new XK. The work and contribution of Sam, and a few others like him, to DIY XK8 owners well being and mental health can't be underestimated.

As my 07 XK ages I know that sooner or later I'm going to need him.

 

This was mooted some time ago, it finally ended up that I would donate my XKR to him in exchange for some unspecified return (rather like Moderator's pay).
I think he lost interest when he found he'd have to find a landing strip for and refuel the C17 that was delivering it.

There's no doubt, as has been said before, that many of us owe our Jaguar ownership to members like him.

 

I can honestly say that, having read all the scare stories re. capricious Jaguar electrics, I would never have dared buy an XKR if I hadn't come across this forum.

As I was reassembling my dash this morning, I was thinking how nice it would be if I won the lottery to buy an XKR for Sam. He really deserves it

 

Looks like some others have been trying the same thing........




I also learned much from the Rev

 

^ that cracked me up

 

Nice post for the Rev, always good to see humour added in to the mix too

 

If a picture is worth a thousand words then a video is worth tens of thousands. Seeing someone else do one of those diy fixes in real time gives one confidence to try the same.

Doug

 

Exactly. When you watch a Rev video, you think "hey, I could do that" and realise you're not as useless as you thought. It's a confidence boost

 

Sam comes off as the average at home mechanic and gives that comfort level that the job is not above the reach of mortal man. Plus he takes the time to show where he messes up and when he figures out a better way to do it next time. Very helpful and much more useful than those professional videos on YouTube.

Plus he often leaves in those handy technical expletives that invariably will be needed for the job.

 

The mark of a great teacher.

 

What happened to Rev Sam and his silver XK8?

 

Sam sold his XK8 in 2012 due to USAA Insurance's unwillingness to keep his premiums reasonable when his daughter turned 16 and obtained her drivers license. He then replaced his XK8 with a Saab convertible. From what I can discern, he regrets it....

 

Why did it matter to his insurance that his daughter was old enough to drive? He could've just stated she wasn't going to touch the car, not even with a ten foot pole.

 

Several of us conveyed similar advice to Sam, with me also suggesting that if his insurance company wouldn't work with him regarding his XK8, it was time to shop around for another insurance company. He insisted on staying with USAA. If you want a deeper explanation, you'll have to contact Sam himself....

 

Well, ok then. I guess that's good enough for me.

 

Without his videos, I would have never attempted the DIY events on my Jaguar as I am not a mechanic by any means. I've had my xk8 for over 10 years and am now restoring her bit by bit, tiring of all the bad mechanics who have worked on my car. I'm always amazed at what damage the "one before me" has done, stripped screws, missing parts, jury rigging and to think I have paid for that. Now I have a great mechanic, who lets me bring my own parts and now I do as much as possible myself and let the mechanic tackle the really hard stuff. Only difference now is that I am in the know now. From head rest cable issues, to recovering my armrest to cleaning my speed sensors, thank-you, thank-you Sam and to all others out there who I have been stalking on the forums for a few years now. I only just recently actually created an account just to say thank you to those who have posted the JTIS and numerous other helpful and much needed information but it all started because of Sam the Man, BIG THANKS!

 

I second this...I would never attempt anything on my jag without his videos and people like this forum....

maybe we should give him "Medal of Jaguar honor"