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Project : Improving XJS Dashboard lights

By Laurence Jones

Published: 15th September 2025

Many XJ-S owners find the instrument cluster lighting disappointingly dim, particularly on pre-facelift cars. While bulb upgrades and LED conversions are widely discussed, there is a simpler, cost-free improvement that can be made using the original components. This article walks through the process step by step, explaining how improved light output can be achieved with care and patience.

Introduction

Like many XJ-S owners, I have found the dashboard lighting — particularly the instrument cluster illumination — to be lacking in one basic commodity: light. This is especially noticeable on pre-facelift models, where the speedometer and rev counter can be difficult to read at night.

A quick search online reveals many options involving LED bulbs or higher-wattage replacements. These can work, but they come with cost and, in the case of higher-wattage bulbs, additional heat that the surrounding plastic components do not always tolerate well.

Fortunately, there is a cost-free method of improving the lighting to the instrument cluster, and this article explains how to achieve it.

Preparation and checks

Before starting, it is worth confirming that everything is functioning correctly so that any issues after reassembly can be identified easily.

  • Confirm that th