Jaguar XK8 Guide to changing instrument cluster bulbs V124 / XKR (X100)

Video 124 shows how to access the rear of the instrument panels to change the bulbs on a Jaguar XK8. Includes removing the dashboard veneers and instrument clusters themselves.
Link to Richard Astleys excellent video - • Improving the Jaguar X...
#Modurol #JaguarXK8 #JaguarXKR #X100
Please 'like' if you like the video by pressing the thumbs up, this is much appreciated.
Channel = / odrmodurol @ODRModurol #ODRModurol #Modurol
This is not an official guide and is for general information and interest only.
Part of a series of short videos on the experience with maintaining our own cars.
We currently have a 1996 Jaguar XK8 4.0 V8 Petrol, a 2014 Ford Kuga (Explorer) 2.0 diesel and a 2013 Nissan Leaf 80Kw Electric car.
We Current have lots of useful playlists on the @O&DRModurol Channel for these cars.
You can also find us on:-
Facebook - / damian.richmond.1
Instagram - / oanddr_modurol

[@gordcampbell4712]

I too am looking forward to seeing your recommendations. I find the OEM dash lighting a challenge with the top down in sunlight. I truly appreciate the clarity of your presentations.

[@ODRModurol]

Good Campbell, this next video is how the access and change the bulbs. In the following video V125 we are presenting our finding on using LED bulbs. Thanks for the compliment and comment regards Damian

[@markjohnson8502]

Damian. First, thank you ever so much for doing what you do. Between you and John my wife has become an XK8 widow, and I have only owned it a month. Loved this video and those associated with it. I tore the dash apart this afternoon and changed out the incandescent lamps with LEDs. The T10s were not polar specific. The T5s were. Unfortunately 1 T5 was bad out of the bag and caused about an hour of extra troubleshooting, but all is good. Been changing out the other exterior lamps as well. What a difference. I can finally see those turn indicators in this bright Florida sunshine. Thanks again for what you do.

[@ODRModurol]

Mark, no problem. Thanks for taking the time to compliment our work and comment. It’s much appreciated and encouraging. Regards Damian

[@nathanlozada5469]

Damian - I did the trio cluster. Actually I didn’t need to detach the wiring harness. Thanks!

[@ODRModurol]

Nathan, understood, thanks for the feedback. Hope you are happy with the result, regards Damian

[@andrewgraham4838]

Hi Damian. I followed your video to the letter and managed to change the bulbs. Thank you so much. Just one point, I bought new bulbs and holders from SNG Barratts and when I installed them all I found that I was worse off than before in that some that I was only changing as a precaution no longer worked. After some puzzlement I decided to use the new bulbs with the old holders and that did the trick. The new holders were not as good a fit as the originals.

[@ODRModurol]

Andrew, interesting feedback, much appreciated. I had similar problems with the LED bulbs. The original size holders are not quite the same size as current 'new' bulbs for some reason, regards Damian

[@Jim-fe6gl]

Hello Damian, Excellent video! Saved me alot of time especially with the polarity. 2 of my T10s burned out so the gauges were pretty dark on my XJ8L. Just changed all four T10 and the four T5 today. Went like clock work thanks to your video! Just an FYI, I changed the current setting resistors on both the T10 and T5 LED bulbs to lower the current. T10 was lowered by 33% and T5 were lowered by almost 4x. Still alot brighter than the OEM incandescent bulbs. The lower current will significantly extend the LED life. Very happy with the display! Thanks again.

[@ODRModurol]

Jim, thanks for the feedback and thanks for the adding resistance tip. That sounds a really good idea to reduce the brightness slightly and increase the life of the LED bulbs. Do you remember the ohm rating of resistors you used. Much appreciated, regards Damian

[@Jim-fe6gl]

Hello Damian, For the T10, it had two 24ohm resistors for a total of 48ohms. I changed one of them to 51ohms so total is now 75ohms. For the T5, it had a single 120ohm and I changed that to 430ohms. Signal indicators and information display don't need to be that bright. Even with 430 ohms, it was still slightly brighter than the incandescent bulbs that I removed.

[@ODRModurol]

Jim, cheers, thanks for the details might add these resistors if I need to change any bulbs, regards Damian

[@garyvanremortel5218]

Excellent presentation. Bravo. Make absolutely certain ignition is OFF before disconnecting/reconnecting major cluster multiplugs or you will cause electrical damage.

[@ODRModurol]

Gary, very good point. I did go a bit further to be 100% safe and disconnected the battery. Should have mentioned that in the video. Thanks for the comment and input, much appreciated regards Damian

[@stevenslight2607]

Great video Damian. 👍👍

[@ODRModurol]

Steven, much appreciated, regards Damian.

[@jonathanbarber3004]

Looking forward to seeing your results. I gave it a shot and disappointed with my results. Blue dials in the instrument panel plus cold white lighting does not compliment the interior. Fingers crossed you successfully managed to enhance the interior 🤞

[@ODRModurol]

Jonathan, had similar results. The white LED light bleaches the instrument marking to a light blue like you said. However, I decided to try different colours. The results are interesting. Thanks for the comment and feedback from your result regards Damian

[@ODRModurol]

Jonathan, the LED bit of the series is V125 as waiting for the result of James Lucas’ red LED project. Regards Damian

[@ChristianACW]

Hi Damian, first I have to repeat myself: I love your clear and incredibly helpful vidos! 👍Thanks for all the effort you put into your channel! 🙂I tried to do this job today but I couldn't find a way to get the main instrument cluster out without removing the steering wheel... everything's very tight in there! It looks so easy, when you pull that cluster out - did you do that job with the steering wheel on? If so: is there a trick? I had the steering wheel moved all the way down, but even then: no way 😞 I'd like to avoid the removal of the steering wheel since I'm not sure if I want to play around with the airbag... best regards, Christian

[@ODRModurol]

Christian, I did the job with steering wheel still attached but taking the steering wheel off isn’t difficult. The top tabs on the instrument veneer have fabric glued on and might be tight to remove. I am sure my veneer had been off before which might account for it being so easy to remove. Good luck with your removal and thank you again for your comments and support, regards Damian

[@Hattoon]

Thanks for this Damian, excellent stuff. I noticed in another video that the battery should be disconnected -- could you advise if this is strictly necessary? Also, there was no way in hell I could get the knee bolster off underneath the steering wheel. One side popped out OK but the other -- nearest the driver's door -- absolutely refused to drop off. The lug appears to be out OK, but there is something else holding it jammed -- and I cannot for the life of me understand what it is. Fortunately, I succeeded in loosening it just enough to prise off the fascias and get to the instrument cluster. This was helped by the fact there were NO fascia screws in place. Strikes me that somebody has changed the bulbs previously and encountered the same damn problem with the knee bolster. Which brings me back to -- what else could be holding it on?

[@ODRModurol]

Lawrence, thank you for your compliments. Same with my car, someone already been there. The drivers bolster has two screws at the bottom and two clips at the top. You seem to have sorted these out. What you also might have is wiring caught, the electrical stuff, temp sensor and valet button etc. Or the sunglasses/accessary draw catching. I have covered the bolster removal in another video in a but more detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4W5Z5Z6oa6rptU . You can see the back of the bolster for your information. Plus you need to lift the bolster up and towards you to release the clips. Hope that helps. Please let us know how you get on, regards Damian

[@markrutledge66]

I saw a previous video where you took the bulbs out of the steering wheel would you say that they're all like that I have a 98 XJR some people said that there is no light bulbs back there but I saw on your video that there was places to put light bulbs in they just didn't have the light bulbs put in it is that standard procedure?

[@ODRModurol]

Mark, I don't believe it was a option. There wasn't any bulb locations behind the switches, I believe the steering wheel button were just not design to illuminate, regards Damian

[@markrutledge66]

Does Jaguar leave that decision to have light bulbs in the steering wheel up to the driver?

[@ODRModurol]

Mark, I don't believe it was a option. The steering wheel button were just not design to illuminate, regards Damian

[@Fixthings-mn6nz]

Hi, I found your video very helpful in replacing my 3 dial cluster on my 2004 XK8. The replacement was due to original clock not keeping time. After fitting the replacement used cluster all the dials worked correctly including the clock. Unfortunately the bulbs did not. I replaced the bulbs straight from my old unit including the bulb holder’s as I knew they worked, but still no illumination. Any suggestions on possible cause? Quick update I have tested the bulbs and they seem ok and adjusted the metal connectors on the bulb holder, and have tried the old cluster. No light. Could a fuse blown? None of the rest of the dashboard is affected.

[@ODRModurol]

@Fixthings-mn6nz, sorry haven't had this issue myself. If both new and old clusters could be the fuse or wiring harness. Sorry can only guess, regards Damian

[@Fixthings-mn6nz]

⁠@@ODRModurolHi Damien, I had my electrician friend test all the bulbs and holder. Found that both the bulbs supplied with the used part and from the original part had blown. Using the part no. provided in your video, I ordered replacements bulb and bulb holder from SNG Barratt. We also took the precaution of cleaning up the connector’s on both the cluster and the multi plug. Also applied connector improvement. Result I have now a fully functioning cluster. Thanks Paul

[@ODRModurol]

Paul, glad you found the cause and fixed the issue. Well done 👍, regards Damian

[@Jddjdurjf]

Anybody know how to disable the beep noise that sounds when using the temperature buttons?

[@ODRModurol]

Simon, sorry I don't know if these can be turned off. If you do find out please let us know, thanks for the comment, regards Damian.

[@marcushunt740]

What Bulbs are used?

[@ODRModurol]

Marcus, We cover this about 09:55 mins into the video. T10 Bulb & holder LJA4390BA and T5 Bulb & holder XR83865 depending on the usage Hope that helps, regards Damian