That's why I love this this place, blue and radar you both have offered kick *** suggestions and info, much appreciated.
I'm starting to lean towards something being wrong with the cluster. The speedo works but the other gauges are all a lil wonky. My fuel gauge and engine temp don't work, my alt never moves and my pressure is at L when engine is off but goes to H as soon as it starts and drops a lil as it warms up (which I suspect is backwards.) I just took it apart on my break and will poke at the cluster and wires a bit. Hopefully when I put it back in (before I leave work) it'll all be fixed
Here's a few pics, anyone notice or suspect anything?....other than me being clueless lol
<a href="http://s1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/?action=view&current=image_zpse60e3920.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/image_zpse60e3920.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

<a href="http://s1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/?action=view&current=image_zps95811da9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/image_zps95811da9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

<a href="http://s1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/?action=view&current=image_zpse60e3920.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/image_zpse60e3920.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

Can you post a picture of the back of the cluster?

 

Lol crap I meant too but posted the cab photo twice.
Here ya go:
<a href="http://s1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/?action=view&current=image_zps833b921a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/image_zps833b921a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

Everthing "looks" good to me except I can't make out whats going on between the bottom center light and the main wire harness plug.

 

Here's another pic I just took for ya:
<a href="http://s1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/?action=view&current=image_zpsa976decd.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/image_zpsa976decd.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>
From the back of cluster in the first pic there's a plastic guard over the nuts for the top left gauge. You know if that's important or not? Any chance if I take the nuts out and clean them is there any hopes and possibility that corrects my issues?

 

That looks fine so I would do this: Very very carefully remove the circuit board snaps off the voltage regulator which is the silver box to the left of the fuel gauge from the back and clean those contacts. I say becareful because if you just pull it off you take a very good chance off ripping the circuit "paper" around the snap. So pry them off from underneath (I hope this makes sense).. Clean all the contacts really good and add some dielectric grease. Hopefully everything works but if not, you might want to try just replacing the voltage regulator.

 

Micromanagement is gay....but....to avoid busting anything do you suggest prying in between the clip and paper? Or from between the white plastic and the paper? I'm leaning towards clip and paper but want to be sure. Also what works best? Two knives on each side is the best I can come up with.
<a href="http://s1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/?action=view&current=image_zps3b288166.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y503/Schplick/image_zps3b288166.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

Between the white plastic and paper. The connection on the regulator is like that of 9volt battery and the paper has the little nubs that seat inside of it..

 

Sounds like an ICVR issue (instrument cluster voltage regulator).

You can try adjusting/testing it, it should pulse 5v every second when tested with a VM.




As for that Alt gauge, they never moved even when new...

Ford Ammeter Gauges: Do They Work? | MILEPOSTS Garage (Tech Tips)

 

Thanks for the details Mike I was able to pop it off pretty easily. I cleaned it up and hooked it back up. I then tested the volts and it was bouncing all over, all the way up 12, I didn't notice the lowest number but I'd guess 0 lol remember seeing some 2's.
I figure the pressure gauge is normal, voltage gauge is normal, but the engine temp and gas gauge are still dickered. I'm going to replace the voltage regulator ASAP and go from there I guess.
Thanks fellas