Every now and then when driving at night some of the Climate Control light becomes dimmer than the other lights illuminating on the climate control. Is there a fuse out or something or bulb ? Or do you suspect the bulb ? All the other lights are lit well. My rear defroster & circulation buttons lights on the panel is dimmer than the rest of the lights.

 

Anyone ?

 

Haven't had to do these on an XK8 but have done them on an XJ8 which looks to be a very similar, if not the same, AC control unit.

As recall, there's an extraordinary number of bulbs in the AC control panel. Although they look much the same, some have coloured sleeves. If some of the buttons look dim, it's possible you've blown one or more bulbs. Unfortunately you're going to have to take the unit out to tell which type you need.

 

The rear defroster and circulation button still lights up but its a bit dimmer that the rest of the buttons. So I dont think its the bulb out bc if it was it wouldnt be lit. But some more imput would be appreciative. Thanks

 

I would recommend taking out the climate control module, and use some tunercleaner/lubricant from Radio Shack to clean the connector and the contacts on each bulb socket.

If I were you I would replace the bulbs also while I had it out, they do fail enough to warrant that.

 

Anyone know the bulb sizes ?

 

They are special bulbs. They only place I could find them was a Jag dealership. There are two sizes. The two behind the temp display are bigger than the rest of the bulbs.

Here's a link to a video which shows how to replace the bulbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiOAPgT4lXc&hd=1

 

Im thinking its a fuse the reason being is because the rear defroster dims sometimes then it lights up fully then dims again other times. Its always been like that for a while now. So any input ?

 

I'd still go with one or more bulbs out but have a look at WhiteXKR's reply on my thread about "Instrument Pack Bulbs - Overheating?". He suggests the dimmer module as a possible source for my problem with the Instrument Panel bulbs all blowing and toasting the bulb holders.

If you are definitely getting variable illumination on the AC rather than lack of illumination (which would be bulbs out), dimmer module may be the cause.

 

Just to clarify, I do not think the dimmer module is defective, I just think it has a design anomaly which causes current bursts that can take out old tired bulbs under certain conditions.


The toasting could be due to the wrong bulbs, or just due to running the bulbs at high brightness for many hours and a less than optimal choice of materials by Jaguar for the holders.