Hey guys high idle check engine light on but nothing over heats on the gauges but hoses really hot and see little air bubbles around water pump any ideas..

 

Check my post here about upgraded gauge lighting: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...l#post10747063

Start by DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY and removing the keys from the ignition. I failed to do this while looking for an ACCY ON wire behind the dash and managed to put the 12vdc positive post of the ammeter against the (grounded) steel dash and fried part of the flexable circuit board. I managed to fix it but I felt really stupid and it was easily avoidable.

When you get that cluster out, unplug the harness and remove the black bulb holder things and take a PINK #2 pencil eraser and polish the heck out of the exposed copper contact points on EVERYTHING. Replace the bulb sockets if they look corroded. They should be cheap and available everywhere. If your bulbs still give you fits, it may be your headlight switch dimmer and not the cluster itself.

 

Hey weaver79 !
If you han't already gotten it disconnected, it's much harder to do with the instrument cluster installed because your working blind. Just take a few extra mins and remove it
so youv'e got it in front of you like the clip shows( I assume you need it out anyway to fix
your bulb problem?) all the attaching screws to the cluster and cover are easy to get to
then you'll see the cable retainer and have room to deal with it

 

highboy44 is right, much easier if you go ahead and pull the instrument cluster out some so you can get in behind it.

 

Truck isles high after warms up plus checked engine light comes on and ideas.

 

Dude...guys like you who don't like to help others should have their tool boxes welded shut.

After struggling with mine for a good half hour (awkward angle, wrist being cut on metal) I came in, used search, and voila...this thread hooked me up.

I didn't know whether there was a metal slip-clip, it un-screwed, or there was a retention clip that needed squeezed (as was the case).

After seeing the above pic, I had it undone in 30 seconds. I simply had to force my hand in way beyond the comfortable point and squeeze that clip and it slipped right off.

Here are some more shots to help the next guy:

The clip that needs pushed is on the left hand side in these shots:







While you are in there, if your turn signal lever won't stay latched, replace the plastic cam with two wires, shown here:



Thanks to all who assisted in this thread. I love this forum.

 

I spent way too long trying to get that cable off the first time. I thought you had to pinch both sides of the clip, sort of like some of the electrical connectors.

I too see too many clusters with the clip broken at junk yards.. I think one of the main problems is how little wiggle room there is in some dashes...

 

Video does not work. I cannot get it to load and I tried searching Youtube for the same video.
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I don't know who would waste there time to bag on someone for having a little inexperience, after all isn't that what we're trying do is help each other and teach?

 

Should work now. I'm not sure why the link to my photobucket doesn't work, but I went ahead and uploaded to You Tube.

 

Thanks. I am hoping this will assist me in getting mine disconnected.
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Well said. I don't understand why folks get off on being so damn grumpy. I grew up on Pong and black-and-white TV, but that doesn't keep me from thinking the internet is amazing. If anything, it makes me appreciate it even more. And everybody learns by asking questions, we shouldn't be trying to make people feel stupid.

Now I'm going to jump down off my soapbox and watch some internet **** on my iPad.

 

I removed all the screws for the instrument cluster ,disconnected the cable from the t-case,removed the wires on back of cluster and pulled the cluster all the way out till it was on the seat. I unhooked the clip(two seconds) and sprayed PB on fitting, and never did get the cable off of cluster. I gently put vise grips on lower part of cable and still no luck removing. I sprayed some more lube on plastic clip slot and put it all back together.
So I guess I need my tool box WELDED!! Funny stuff, I know

 

well I have a 1994 f-350 with a 7.3 diesel non turbo I bought a new speedometer cable and got it in the tranny but for the life of me I cannot find where it hooks to the cluster the cable was gone when we got the truck so I have checked every where under the dash and the hook to find where this ties in the back of the cluster does not have a place to put a speedometer cable

 

Sorry guys to bump a 5 year post but reading this in the junkyard right now about the clip just saved me from wasting another 10 minutes trying to figure out the unknown. Appreciate it..