Instrument cluster lights

[Mike_D]

Hi everyone, I'm having a problem with my '94 Daimler which hopefully someone has encountered before.

For some reason, the lights that light the numbers/needles on the instruments have started staying on all the time, regardless of whether the lights are on, or even the ignition for that matter. The only way to turn them off so they don't drain the battery is to remove the fuse. Could this be something to do with the headlight switch?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, MOT coming up and i'm pretty sure it'll fail on this.

[stuartie148]

Hi Mike
Don't know if this will help but when i was trying to wire in the stereo on my 1995 sport i had to use a trial and error method for finding a switched live. I noticed while doing this that one of the wires (one thinner than the others and pink/red or pink/purple) brought these lights on when connected to any other part of the wiring harness - I have no idea what the wire is for and it remains disconnected
Maybe a look behind the radio would help - If you need instructions on how to remove the "ski-slope" and subsequent fittings let me know and i'll supply them to you
Can't you dim them to off with the dimmer switch - a temporary solution maybe
Hope this helps
Good luck
Stuart
PS it's not an MOT failure

[Mike_D]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the reply. Good news that its not an mot failure, too many other potential fails at the moment to worry about. The info about that wire could be very useful, as I was thinking about taking off the covers/switches etc and seeing if anything looks wrong, so i'll keep an eye out for this. I've taken the ski slope off once before, not looking forward to doing it again as the plastic part behind it holding the stereo/aircon felt like it was going to snap when I took it out.

Thanks again, Mike.

[Mike_D]

Forgot to mention that since this has happened, the dimmer switch has no effect anymore, the lights are always on the brightest setting and turning to the off position has no effect.

Mike.

[stuartie148]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the reply. Good luck removing the ski slope if it's like that - I think Jaguar will be able to supply another - wouldn't want to pay the price they no doubt ask though
Regards
Stuart

[robv12]

I reckon this is the main light switch PCB failing, quite common on late XJ40, cheap and easy to fins spares, ensure you have a 93/94 one if it as an XJ40, i think all X300 ones swap over

I would look here before pulling the ski slope out

I have spare PCB's here, just pm me for a price