Ford says instrument cluster bad. Help!
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Ford says instrument cluster bad. Help!
My truck is an early 2002 F250 V10 4x4.
Here are my issues:
-Power door locks do not work
-Door ajar light stays on
-Interior light will not light when door is open
-Radio has no power
-Cruise control will not work
-Auto lights will not work (fog lights come on all the time when selected)
-Power windows work for a few minutes after the door is open
-Lights in the PDL switch won't illuminate
I bought the truck without key fobs so I don't know if they would work or not.
Ford says I do not have a GEM or a VSM. They said all is controlled by the instrument cluster. Has anyone else had these issues?
Here are my issues:
-Power door locks do not work
-Door ajar light stays on
-Interior light will not light when door is open
-Radio has no power
-Cruise control will not work
-Auto lights will not work (fog lights come on all the time when selected)
-Power windows work for a few minutes after the door is open
-Lights in the PDL switch won't illuminate
I bought the truck without key fobs so I don't know if they would work or not.
Ford says I do not have a GEM or a VSM. They said all is controlled by the instrument cluster. Has anyone else had these issues?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 24
From: Chino, California
The door ajar light staying on could be the switch in the door is gummed up. The previous owner may have been fed up with the interior light staying on all the time and cut the wires to the lights. You can try spraying WD-40 in the door clasps to help clean it out a bit.
Power door lock actuators may be weak. Do you hear the motor turn when you hit the power door lock switch?
Not sure about the other issues. Has it rained recently? Maybe a windshield leak messing up your electronics?
Power door lock actuators may be weak. Do you hear the motor turn when you hit the power door lock switch?
Not sure about the other issues. Has it rained recently? Maybe a windshield leak messing up your electronics?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
Worst case scenario, buy a used cluster from a salvage yard for ~$100 or so and swap it yourself. You could also buy it, swap it, and see if it fixes your problem. If not, most reputable yards will let you return the parts the same day if needed.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 144
From: SE Georgia
The Dealership isn't screwing with you...well maybe not. In 2004 Ford went exclusively to the Inst Cluster running all the stuff you are having issues with.
I wasn't aware of the 99-04 vehicles being that way, but it could happen.
If your model is one of them, the Inst Cluster is the culprit. Ford designed a 10 minute battery saver circuit into thier programming. All of the stuff you are having issues with are items that are part of this circuit. The radio, windows, lights and CC are powered from it during normal driving and for 10 minutes after turning off the vehicle (or until a door is opened).
No idea why the locks aren't playing. they are on their own circuit
I wasn't aware of the 99-04 vehicles being that way, but it could happen.
If your model is one of them, the Inst Cluster is the culprit. Ford designed a 10 minute battery saver circuit into thier programming. All of the stuff you are having issues with are items that are part of this circuit. The radio, windows, lights and CC are powered from it during normal driving and for 10 minutes after turning off the vehicle (or until a door is opened).
No idea why the locks aren't playing. they are on their own circuit
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE Georgia
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Scio, OR
I think (not 100% sure) that there are at least 4 different clusters in and around those years. Gas and Diesel clusters are different (they have a different set of idiot lights). And Automatic and Manual transmission clusters are different (auto's have transmission temp gauge, manuals have a volt gauge).
I don't know what would happen if you plugged a diesel cluster into a gas truck. Or a manual cluster into an auto truck. Everything might work right, except where lights and gauges are different. Or the wires going to them might be different and who knows what would happen.
Also, I believe the odometer reading will stick with the cluster. So you'll get the odometer reading of the replacement cluster, instead of what you had.
I don't know what would happen if you plugged a diesel cluster into a gas truck. Or a manual cluster into an auto truck. Everything might work right, except where lights and gauges are different. Or the wires going to them might be different and who knows what would happen.
Also, I believe the odometer reading will stick with the cluster. So you'll get the odometer reading of the replacement cluster, instead of what you had.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 144
From: SE Georgia
but say you have an Lariat, and are putting in the Inst. Cluster from a XLT. The XLT has "as built" data that is different from a Lariat.
The Inst. Cluster runs almost every single damn thing on newer Fords. If you have the Auto AC, it won't work.
All Ford Dealerships can look up the "as built" data for your current truck and re-program the new cluster to your truck. Some are stupid though, or have never even been taught to do this. Drop down into the 2004-2008 F-150 forum. Inst Cluster swaps are an extremely popular mod for those trucks and lots of guys can tell you all the necessary info to get a new"er" Inst. Cluster working.