Instrument Panel

[MichaelSB]

I am looking for a instrument panel for my 1995 celebration as the indicator warning light has failed on mine and successful repair is unlikely, the plan is to try and make one good one from two so I can retain the mileage etc of mine.
Please let me know what you have.
Mine is black with no wood panel
Michael

[PaulGover]

FWIW, Unless the celebration models are different, I suspect the basic gubbins are a standard Ford part fitted to several cars (including, of course, several Jaguars). So it may be possible to get something from a breakers and slot the Jaguar-labelled instruments in.
Again, unless the celebration models are special, the warning lights are standard automotive parts available in Halfords; you fit them into the plastic carrier, and they turn-to-lock into the circuit board. Take care not to damage the copper tracks on the flexible plastic circuit board; they delaminate and tear easily. If that's already happened and is the cause of the problem, you can do repairs with solder; I think you can get adhesive copper track from Maplin too.

[davidr]

Michael - it is possible to take the whole unit out in less than 10 minutes and then the bulbs are very easy to get at in the back of the instrument panel. It sounds like checking the bulbs would be very worthwhile before you take more drastic action.
Most facelift instrument panels will have the veneer finish. It was only the Celebration that had the black finish so I think it would be very hard to find one. However, all of the internals will be the same and, with great care not to damage the printed circuit board, it is possible to dismantle it all and make a good one out of 2 if necessary. I have done this myself. I thought I had some photos but I cant find them I'm afraid!
However, I think its highly likely that you just have a blown bulb and that will be easy to change so long as you take care not to damage the section of the pcb that the holder contacts. The bulbs are the small "grain" type and fit in a plastic holder that twists into the back of the unit.
Taking the instrument panel out is straight forward - just remove the screws for the surround and take the surrounds off and the screws holding the instrument panel will be obvious. There are 2 electrical plugs to remove behind and then you can pull the whole thing out. You may have to move the steering wheel down out of the way.
Hope that helps
David

[davidr]

A couple of picture taken off t'interweb

This is from the Jaguar Classic Parts site (www.jaguarclassicparts.com) and shows an exploded diagram of the instrument pack. The bulbs for the warning lights (no 10 in the diagram) are the 12v 1.2w capless type that can be bought in any autostore. I would be inclined to check all of these just in case whilst you have the chance. The car will automatically light most of the warning lights as a check when you turn the ignition on but not all so it's worth going through them whilst the opportunity presents itself.
You can also see how the unit is fixed. Once the surrounds have been removed (a screw on each side and one at the top) remove the screw covers on either side (no 13 in the diagram) and then the mounting screws are behind them.

Here's a random picture of the back of an instrument pack (probably not an XJS) but you get the idea. Its the top line of bulbs that you're interested in. The bulbs push into the coloured holders and then the holders are a twist fit into the instrument pack through the flexible circuit board where they make contact. Be very careful with the flexible circuit board. Its well over 20 years old and may not be so flexible any more and the copper tracks are easy to damage if you're clumsy. These are no longer available from Jaguar so take care.
I'm not trying to scare you - this is actually an easy fix but needs some caution.

[Brakebuster]

i am confused as to why Micheal thinks that a successful repair is unlikely and needs another unit to make a good one from two ?

what has he been ' told ' ? and what might have he already found to give this conclusion ?

BB

[MichaelSB]

Hi Guy's
Thank you all for the above info.
The background is when I bought Rosie back the right hand indicator warning light was not working and there was clear signs that the panel had been removed and not put back very well.
I then got Wiltshire Jaguar to have a look and they informed me the delicate circuit bit was damaged so I thought if I could get a good replacement that would be the way to go.
Michael

[davidr]

Thanks Michael. Sorry! Now I understand. I'll keep an eye out for you

[Brakebuster]

makes more sense now, i suppose your existing one is FUBAR , and needs replacing

here is one on ebay , not cheap , but then nothing is with our cars now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJS-Fa ... Sw11ZZeIRb

BB

[Brakebuster]

what is your VIN ?

there may be some good news

available new from jaguar up to Vin 194774 for under £50

DAC7369 @£46.51 plus VAT

BB

[davidr]

makes more sense now, i suppose your existing one is FUBAR , and needs replacing

here is one on ebay , not cheap , but then nothing is with our cars now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJS-Fa ... Sw11ZZeIRb

BB

The absolutely key thing here, if you're going to pay that much, is to have a warranty that the flexible circuit board is intact as that is the bit I think you're after. It can be swapped over but needs a lot of care.

[MichaelSB]

I think my vin is: 223117 but I will check tomorrow
Thanks again guy's

[davidr]

That VIN makes sense as being in the right range for an early Celebration car. For example mine is very late at 225495 and the last car was 226645.
The earlier flexible circuit board is available as BB says but I think you need the later one which is DAC11192 and unfortunately no longer available. I confess that I don't know what the differences are between the two.
Could it be worth looking at repairing yours as I think it could be a challenge to find the right one

[ptjs1]

Michael,

There's a late changeover in the position of the various warning lights. And also the pre-194775 is pre-AJ16 with it's OBDII compliance. So you really do need to get the right one.

Just a suggestion, but I would try and repair the ribbon board or even hardwire off the ribbon plug and go direct to the lamp holder. These ribbon circuit boards seem to be getting increasing brittle so even a 2nd-hand unit is susceptible to broken circuits. The boards seem quite accepting of repairs using liquid contact paint or similar. Give it a go!

And remember, if it doesn't work, it doesn't really matter as you can't see any of the warning lights in a facelift convertible anyway!!

Paul

[Brakebuster]

I think my vin is: 223117 but I will check tomorrow
Thanks again guy's

shame, but REMEMBER
buying a used one will need confirmation of the VIN range it also come from , as you will be in the same boat with regard to fitment

BB

[MichaelSB]

Ok
Time to revisit this warning light issue.
I have found a guy who is confident that he can repair it if I can take the binnacle to him, so my question is how do I get it out?
Idiot proof instructions would be appreciated
Michael