[xj-s] Instrument Bulbs

I have the instrument cluster out for repairing the heater core
and would like to now upgrade the bulbs so that the gages might
actually be visible. Quite some time back there was a thread about
using LED bulbs with great success.
I don�t see how the bulb holders are removed. There are five of
them. Don�t want to break anything. Do they just pull off??
Thanks in advance for your help.–
1987 XJS Coupe
Weston Lakes/Texas, United States
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In reply to a message from Don Franke sent Mon 14 Feb 2011:

My instrument cluster is quite bright. Bypassing the rheostat can
give brighter results. I found the proper wattage bulb for the
opticel and now my ignition, headlight and HVAC panel are quite
bright and finally I pulled out the panel holding the hazard,
interior light switches, it’s amazing how bright they can be once
everything is cleaned up properly, use a Q-tip and alcohol on the
light sockets that reflect the light on these and renew the bulbs.–
1986 XJS, 5.3 Litre V-12, 1974 Triumph TR-6
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In reply to a message from Don Franke sent Mon 14 Feb 2011:

The bulb holders just pull out. If you ditch the green
covers and install 5 watt bulbs instead of the 3 watt ones,
and clean evrything up as the other poster suggested, you
will get good illumination.

Greg–
The original message included these comments:

I don�t see how the bulb holders are removed. There are five of
them. Don�t want to break anything. Do they just pull off??


UK spec 1986 XJS V12 HE
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In reply to a message from gregory wilkinson-riddle sent Tue 15 Feb 2011:

Here is the breakdown on the wedge bulbs:

Wedge Bulbs

Trade No. Design Volts Watts Amps Avg. CP Life
161 14.0 2.66 0.19 1 4000
158 14.0 3.36 0.24 2 3000
194 14.0 3.78 0.27 2 2500
192 14.0 4.62 0.33 3 2000
168 14.0 4.90 0.35 3 1500

Ditching the green covers and using the 168 wedge bulbs will save
you the expense and trouble of doing the LED’s, and give you plenty
of light such that you will want to use the dimmer pot.–
lockheed 92 XJS Cpe/97 LT1 Miami FL/ 96 XJS Cv 4.0 Austin TX
Austin, TX, United States
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In reply to a message from lockheed sent Tue 15 Feb 2011:

When I went to replace mine I found the cluster melted at the
sockets on a lot of the bulbs (tach & speedo mainly)and this made
poor connections and thus darkness. If my facelift cluster ever
gets installed I hope it lights up like my XJ40 I’ll be a happy guy.
Nick–
The original message included these comments:

Trade No. Design Volts Watts Amps Avg. CP Life
168 14.0 4.90 0.35 3 1500
Ditching the green covers and using the 168 wedge bulbs will save
you the expense and trouble of doing the LED’s, and give you plenty
of light such that you will want to use the dimmer pot.


Nick Morland 86XJ-S 88XJS6.0L5spd 73xj6 91VdP 97XK8cvt
Scotts Valley Ca, United States
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In reply to a message from konrads sent Tue 15 Feb 2011:

You will be happy with the Facelift cluster lighting.–
lockheed 92 XJS Cpe/97 LT1 Miami FL/ 96 XJS Cv 4.0 Austin TX
Austin, TX, United States
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In reply to a message from gregory wilkinson-riddle sent Tue 15 Feb 2011:

Be careful putting higher wattage bulbs in, the extra heat
can melt the green plastic diffusers. This had happened to a
couple of them on my V12.

The correct wattage bulbs are not that easy to, that is to
say not available from a regular accessory store. As Greg
points out, a 5W is now common in that size (for side and
tail lamps). Another common one is 1.2W, I ended up putting
2W in the V12, after I’d replaced the melted green things
from a scrap binnacle.

If your lights are really dim then as the other poster says
it could be a problem with your rheostat. Also the
connections on the flexible PCB can go tarnished. Luckily
they clean up well using wire-wool.

I’ve had my 3.6 XJS for years and the panel lights, although
not as bright as a modern car, are quite acceptable.–
The original message included these comments:

covers and install 5 watt bulbs instead of the 3 watt ones,


1989 XJS V12, 1985 XJS 3.6
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88 & 91 XJS Roadsters:

Do any of you fellows know what the cross references for
part #C38966 (small warning indicator bulb) and #C43898
(instrument cluster general lighting bulb)are.

I’m trying to source some replacements locally.

thanks for any help.–
vkv884j
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