That is where i got lost, is i only seen 2 coming off the starter relay, and then i seen a buss bar style one next tot he fuse box on the driver side and that was good.

If i could find a diagram of where these other fusible links are i would be golden

 

If you take out the battery you might be able to see better around the headlight on the radiator support. Fusable links are marked.

 

Well I replaced the ignition switch and now im getting power to the fuse that goes to the cluster, but none of the gauges are still working.

I took the cluster out and test the 3 harnesses and they are getting power, so could the cluster be bad?

any way of testing it?

 

Its very possible some of the gauges might not be working due a one time over voltage thing---tough to tell though. Your cluster is the same as my '97 and '00 which is a plastic case and flexible printed circuit board on the back into which the three connectors snap. I've had my clusters apart to fix the odometer (DO NOT attempt this is short of patience!!) so I'm a bit familiar with what might be wrong. If you have a clear photo of the printed circuit board as it's mounted to the cluster I'll take a look and see if anything jumps out. I've sent a PM to you with my email address---if I can help I'd be glad to do so.

Keep in mind these are VERY year specific but don't ask how I know this---they are NOT compatible one year to the next. Not one of Ford's truly better ideas and it makes finding replacment parts a bear!

Standing by..............

 

thanks for the help

I found a used one for the same year locally, I tested the harness that plug into the cluster and power is getting to all three(harnesses) of them on and on 2 prongs each, does this mean the power issue is ok.

I am thinking that the cluster might have been bad, because when we replaced the ignition switch we got power to the cluster fuse

I just want to stop running out of gas LOL

 

HOLY CRIPES Batman---WHICH gauges aren't working? Just the fuel or water temp, oil pressure and volts? THIS might make a huge difference!

All along I've been assuming the whole cluster has failed!

Speak to me Remmers!!

 

The fuel,voltage,temp,oil, and speed are inop. The blinkers works, all the idiot lights works, and when you turn on the head lights the dash lights up.

I took the cluster out and tested the 3 harnesses and each harness is getting power to 2 of the brass pins. When i replaced the ignition switch i got power to the fuse that is labeled for the cluster number 36 if i remember correctly

 

The cluster i found is out of a e-350 1999, mine is a 1999 e-150. will it work(inter change)

 

#36 does show "instrument cluster" on my wiring diagram but I can't help thinking Henry10 is onto something with the fusible links even though I've not yet found them on my factory schematics.

Long story short you might have to look at both clusters side-by-side very very carefully to see if all the traces go to the same places, paying close attention to the smaller PCB mounted separtely from the larger green flexible circuit board. If you see different colored wires or wires soldered to different pins you might have an incompatibilty.

What I know from interchanging cluster heads complete is there is a big difference. I found a brand new, never installed cluster on FleaBay for like $75 but it was from a diesel---couldn't be much different right, just a gauge head? LOL Well it turns out I had full function of all gauges and warning lights however while driving the speed and odometers weren't working and the transmission wouldn't shift out of second. It seems the ECM talks to the VSS through the speedo and in turn tells the tranny when or if to shift.

I don't know if the E150 and E350 are significanly enough to stop the gauges from working when changed but there is still a way to "rebuild" the correct cluster---simply transfer the E150 PCB's to the E350 cluster which is not that difficult. I've done it which is proof of that!

It might be tough finding the exact part for the model and year----perhaps maybe not in your area.

Hope this helps----PM me if I can be of direct help.

 

Try this .... Instrument Cluster Test and Diagnostic Mode - Focus Hacks

Evidently is also works on the F-150....

 

Thanks but mine is not digital

I found a cluster for $30 at a junk yard for my exact van, so i am going to buy it and try it and see what happens

 

This will be a sure test of what might be wrong and probably your best bet for replacing it. Please let us know what you discover as it would be helpful should any of us find ourselves in a similar situation.

Best of luck!

 

does anyone have the wiring diagram for the cluster,there are three harnesses coming of the cluster, and i would like to find out what wire is what.

 

I had to get the dealer to repair mine, they replaced the entire fuse box, mine started out as sporadic, on/off before quitting all together.

 

I believe they're available to download online although I've never searched for them myself. I purchased a Ford factory EVTM (electrical/vacuum troubleshooting manual) used from eBay like this one: 1999 Ford Econoline Club Wagon Truck Wiring EVTM Manual - eBay (item 200195800975 end time Dec-12-10 14:01:43 PST)

If you'll be doing this sort of work on your own these have always been very helpful to me. The good thing is they do tend to be suitable for a few years either way of yours--anything from a '97 to '02 would be similar enough.