XF instument cluster

[Vaughano]

Hey Guys,

Is there a known bug with the XF instument cluster?
I've had 2 XFs and both instrument clusters died.

I used to be able to hit the speedo and it would come good, so this indicates a loose connection of some sort, so if anyone could give me a clue where to start that would be great.

Vaughan.

 

[wagon]

Mate, XF instrument clusters get full of bad solder joints - the worst offenders of the bunch the fairlane type or the s-pack (tacho) types. If you know how to solder or know someone who can, resolder the whole thing - paying particular attention to the connectors where the instrument module plugs into the wiring harnes of the car. You will probably find the first one you had was OK after you fix it! Any questions, let me know.... I know a bit about these rotten things.

Kendall

 

[Vaughano]

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a go.

 

[Vaughano]

Kendall,

Spot on! The wiring harness connector had broken joints on the PCB.
I resoldered everything and now we have speedo, fuel and clock.

Unfortunately the temp gauge is now reading off the scale. I suspect this could be the sender unit from the front of the head. I've just put in a motor from an XE that I rebuilt, so maybe the sender unit is different for the XE gauge. Or maybe my rebuild is suspect...

 

[wagon]

I thought so! I think the resistance of the temp sender drops as it heats up.... So, if the sensor or the wiring had a short circuit (to ground) the gauge would read very high or off the scale. I am glad my incorherent ramblings were of use.

Kendall.

 

[Anonymous]

Dry joints is another one and don't bother doing a resolder my partner did it on our and it sent everything heywire the digital tacho read full on the fuel showed full when empty & well we go into the speedo it was way out. The best thing is just to try and find one that hopefully works good luck on that one I've been unsuccessful so far.

 

[Vaughano]

My instrument panel only had analog gauges (and digital clock).

There's not much to these when you dismantle them. Just a PCB with the three gauges, the clock and the wiring connector. I resoldered all the joints on that PCB, and ensured the fuel and temp gauges had a good earth through their mounting bolts.