Is there one fuse for the entire instrument cluster? Because today the entire instrument cluster went dead, even the digital odometer part. Hoping it is just a simple blown fuse...

 

Just checked, NOT a blown fuse. There are two fuses for the instrument panel/cluster and both are intact. Now what?

 

Did you check the fuses with a continuity tester? It is possible for a fuse to appear OK visually but still not be working.

Another way is to check the fuse in place with a test light. On the exposed part of the fuse is the metal parts of each fuse blade. On a good fuse, there will be power on both sides of the fuse.

 

I had a short circuit on my Tow/Haul switch which blew a fuse a couple of times - it took out the entire instrument cluster and gauges just as you described.

Try fuse #45 -- bottom row about 3 in from the right side -- it is labelled ignition power or something similar (not labelled instruments) - but that was the culprit in my case.

 

It might help to know what year you're talking about. Different years used different fuse panel configurations.

 

Sorry, I see it's a 2003.

The instrument cluster gets power for various reasons from Fuse 33, 45, 41 and 35.

 

Sorry - I forgot about that --- mine is a late 2004

Bottom line - there is a fuse in there that can take out the entire instrument cluster power - and it is not labelled as anything to do with the instruments.

hope that helps

 

Thanks guys for the new leads.

BUT I just remembered exactly how the panel went out. The engine started fine, all the gauges were operating nicely, then immediately after putting it gear (specifically into 1st gear) the cluster went dead. That leads me to believe now the shifter pulled on a plug or something? possible?

oh and yeah it's an 03 6.0L F250

 

Yes it is possible -- I am not sure if the 03 and 04 are the same but on my truck the tow/haul button is on the end of the gear shift lever, there are two thin wires that run down inside the lever and out of the end, they flex every time the lever is moved.

I would start by finding if you have a blown fuse - if so pull the steering wheel shroud off and inspect the wires around the shift lever.

Good luck

 

2002-2004 fuse panels were mostly the same. I'd be willing to bet that what Paul is describing is exactly what happened to you and you have a blown fuse.

 

It was a fuse! Ignition/starter or something like that, but i don't know why the truck was starting with that fuse being blown...

Whenever i put the truck into 1st gear, it blows that fuse! and that fuse is supposed to be a 10 amp, but its a 20 amp, and it still gets blown. Could that be something more substantially wrong with my electrical system, causing a short?

 

One of the wires going into the shift lever is rubbed through the insulation. When you move the shift lever it is shorting out and blowing the fuse. Take the column apart and find those wires and you can probably repair it.

 

https://sites.google.com/site/woodnt...edirects=0&d=1

This is your problem and how to fix it.

 

Link does not work for me ...........

 

Sorry, try this.

https://4656923915310766587-a-180274...attredirects=0