Instrument Cluster problem

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Nov 20, 2010 | 06:47 PM

Andysutt

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From: Conway Arkansas

Instrument Cluster problem

I've recently purchased another 73-79 ford truck after not having one for a while.

It's a 74 F-100 Explorer with a 390/c6

The only things that work on the dash are the right turn signal bulb, the gauges work minus the voltage meter.

When I turn on the lights nothing happens.

I've pulled the dash out and verified that when I pull the headlight switch its getting power to one of the wires.

I've also pulled the bulbs out of the dash and verified they work by hooking them to a battery.

The printed circuit on the dash looks to be in good shape so I figured i'd ask for suggestions here before I tried to find another dash.

Nov 20, 2010 | 06:53 PM

bucks77ford

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From: Kasson, Minnesota

did you make sure the headlight switch is turned all the way to make sure it's not dimming the dash? it has happened before where people forget about that.

Nov 20, 2010 | 06:55 PM

Andysutt

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From: Conway Arkansas

Yup, I've checked that but forgot to include that in my original post.

Nov 21, 2010 | 07:47 AM

Andysutt

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From: Conway Arkansas

Wow, can't believe anyone doesn't have a solution or an idea for this?

I've never had this problem on this year truck before

Nov 21, 2010 | 08:06 AM

bucks77ford

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From: Kasson, Minnesota

Have you checked to make sure you have power at the plug? If you have power at the plug than it's a cluster problem. In many cases it's the printed circuit that goes bad.
I have an aftermarket harness, but I think the Light Blue/Red Stripe wire is for the dash lighting. If power is there, than I'd try getting another cluster and see what happens.

I also have experienced the headlight switch has corrosion on it so the contacts are bad causing loss of power to the dash, but usually the dome light doesn't work either.

I'd also try swapping out the lighting sockets on the cluster for other ones to see if they work. Corrosion can build up on the printed circuit and the sockets don't make a nice contact and if it looks like there is some white powder on the copper lighting circuits you can take a pencil eraser and clean them.

I found this thread with some good reading.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...er-lights.html

Nov 21, 2010 | 10:54 AM

Andysutt

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From: Conway Arkansas

Thanks.

Yes, I'm getting power to the plug and there is no corrosion at all on the circuit board so I'm baffled.

I'll check out the link you sent me