Cheers all:

I have an '86 XJS Saloon. Thanks to a recent influx of (somewhat disposable) cash, I am having my mechanic do a major repair (not quite a rebuild) of the car. So far, he has replaced the entire wiring under the bonnet (many of the wires had burned away insulation, causing serious engine problems - my mechanic wondered how the car ran at all); the steering rack and associated bushings, bearings, etc; an oil sensor that was spewing oil all throughout the engine; countless number of rusted bolts, nuts, etc.; and practically all gaskets, hoses, belts, etc., just to be on the safe side. And this is just the engine area - the interior is yet to happen.

It is amazing to see what kind of abuse the car had taken over the past 20+ years (165K miles).

Now for my question (sorry for the digression): As part of the repair work, my mechanic will need to remove the dashboard. Since he has always been reluctant to do that for me (truthfully, he would have, but for a lot of money that I didn't have to spend at the time), I have let some minor repairs go by, such as a broken odometer, flaky gauges (probably due to wiring), etc. So I am wondering what kinds of improvements or upgrades I can make to the dash at this time.

I have heard of some antique/vintage gauges to replace the stock ones. Any recommendations or pointers (note that I am not too concerned with keeping the car "stock", since the transmission was replaced a while back with a GM tranny).

Also, what about the clock/computer? Though I like the functionality (the fuel and distance meters are a bit more accurate than the dash gauges), I think that it really is ugly. Has anyone replaced this with something?

Any other ideas for upgrades? While I don't have an unlimited amount of money to put into this project, I have a great opportunity to put these in now, while the car is apart.

Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.

TIA

Ken

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Sun, 03/16/2008 - 12:07

the side marker light problem is most likely the bulb socket/housing. The spring under the contact in the front driver's side marker tends to corrode inside and the socket too, preventing ground contact at the bulb.

Try cleaning the inside of the housing with a brass brush or sandpaper (disconnect battery first!). Pull the wire from behind the socket and see if the spring returns the contact.
A battery terminal cleaner works great for cleaning the bulb socket.

Remove the bulb from a good side marker and put it in the one with the problem, to see if it's a bulb issue.

The wiring for these markers is in the loom under the fuse box in the engine compartment.

I will find the link for the ignition repair procedure and post it later.

Submitted by NE40-29744 on Sun, 03/16/2008 - 08:19

J.A.M.
Thanks I'll try your suggestions. I only suspected and therefore wanted to check the connector. I think someone told me once it could be a problem.
The light problem was the side running light not the headlights but could be as you suggest.
Where is the procedure for fixing the ignition switch?
The speedo bounces off and on with bumps in the road. Rarely but still....
Dick

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Sat, 03/15/2008 - 17:54

and you have found out that the problem is at the firewall plug?

For the headlights: I had the same problem one time, I traced it to the headlight fuse located in the small fusebox next to the coolant reservoir/expansion tank. Those fuse holders there are a known issue, in that they do need to be cleaned shiny and tightened with needlenose pliers for them to "grab" the fuse properly.

And, underneath that fuse box, if you remove the 8mm bolt located under the fender/wing,
(you might need to raise the car to lower the tire for clearance), there are a bunch of wires with bullet connectors which dissapear under the wing/fender. If you can pull them carefully, you might have some loose grounds there in the bundle.

The Speedo is most likely the Transducer located on the transmission, has nothing to do with the firewall connector.

Failing to start: you have a worn ignition switch, that's all. You can replace it, or remove it and service it. There is a procedure for dismantling it, making it work again.

Submitted by NE40-29744 on Sat, 03/15/2008 - 17:22

Peter and J.A.M,
Thanks for the input.
The left front side light was out for some time . Actually it was intermittent sometimes on sometimes off. When off I chased the lost voltage back to the engine side of the connector. Then the speedo just goes off from time to time. Of course cruise control goes with it. And finally it has failed to start on a few occasions. When that happens no click, no nothing. Not closing the starter relay. But these gremlins have lasted long enough to allow me to find the problem.
Dick

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Fri, 03/14/2008 - 13:18

what bad conections? exactly what are you trying to achieve? I seriously doubt that the firewall "connector" has anything to do with any problem you might be having.

Submitted by NE40-29744 on Fri, 03/14/2008 - 08:30

Hello,
You guys seem to know so much more than I. I have an 85 XJ6. I have begun to suspect bad connections through the connector that comes through the firewall on the left (drivers side). I can see the block on the engine side but cannot get to the connector on the inside. How much of the dash must I remove.
Thanks
Dick

Submitted by SE21-31278 on Wed, 03/12/2008 - 22:22

Ken,
You don't need a series 2 center panel. The square clock was available on series 3 cars made for markets other than North America. A brand new center panel with the smaller opening for the clock is easily obtainable on E-bay. Heck, I may have one with the clock laying around somewhere. (see picture)
As far as the light switch goes, the US versions are simple to get the fog light function operate. There is a circlip on the back side to remove, that's it. You can switch it out for the euro version, but that would only help if you also had rear foglamps since those switches have the added position for rear ones.
As far as gauges, I think the series 3 layout is gorgeous the way it is. If yours are faded or fogged, it's really easy to find brand new ones. Makes a huge difference. They are cheap enough to make refurbishing the old ones not worth the time, unless you like doing that stuff.
Good luck.

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Sat, 03/01/2008 - 11:57

please clarify: XJ-S or XJ-6 ?

The Saloon (Sedan 4-door) is the XJ-6,

The 2-seater, 2-door, is the XJ-S.

If you are talking about an XJ-6 (Sedan 4-door), I have not heard of any Gauge upgrades, the original Smith gauges are good enough. But if you can find some different gauges that fit and work, then by all means.

As to the Computer/Clock, the only modification I know about is to obtain a center panel from a Series 2 XJ-6 (1972 - 1980?¢), which has a real clock instead of the computer, and then adapt it to your Series 3 XJ-6 (1980?¢ - 1987). The computer itself has never been a super-accurate piece of equipment, so you will not miss much.

Also some owners bypass the Dimmer to (supposedly) obtain brighter lighting at the gauges, but I have never tried it so I can't comment. Mostly, I am happy with the amount of light. You can do the same adding higher-wattage bulbs to each gauge; I would like Red lighting though.

In my car, I added Front Seat Heaters with Lumbar Massage. You can buy kits and install the heat pads under the seat covers. I mounted the two switches one below each ash tray.
The wiring was done by myself, vary carefully following all instructions.

I also added a European Headlamp Switch which has more "presets" or "functions" than the US switch, and allows me to use the Fog lights with the Headlamps, which the US switch does not allow.

There are other mods like making the Sidelights (mounted on the fenders) blink with the Turn Signals. Requires about $3.00 worth of supplies and the time/labor needed to rewire.