Cluster Trouble
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Cluster Trouble
I bought a 2000 F150 4.6 4wd auto off an old friend of the family.
It has been setting around for a long time.
Among other things it needs a instrument cluster.
I went to the local salvage yard and bought another one.
When I installed it the theft light started flashing very fast and the truck wouldn’t start.
It spins over real nice but it won’t start.I put the old one back in and it starts right up.
What needs to happen to make the new cluster work with the theft system?
Thanks so much,
Jake
It has been setting around for a long time.
Among other things it needs a instrument cluster.
I went to the local salvage yard and bought another one.
When I installed it the theft light started flashing very fast and the truck wouldn’t start.
It spins over real nice but it won’t start.I put the old one back in and it starts right up.
What needs to happen to make the new cluster work with the theft system?
Thanks so much,
Jake
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
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From: St Louis
A dealer (or competent mechanic or locksmith) has to program the cluster into the anti-theft system.
You cannot simply replace a cluster, the PCM, or the keys as a DIYer on a 1999-on F150 and expect it to start.
You cannot simply replace a cluster, the PCM, or the keys as a DIYer on a 1999-on F150 and expect it to start.
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The cluster has been busted up before and he said that someof it didn’t work.
I haven’t been able to drive it yet. I found a nice one andjust decided to replace the whole thing. I had the same problem with mydaughters 99 Escort.
Thanks for the heads up.
I’ll just take it to the garage.
I need to have them make me another key anyway
Thanks so much,
Jake
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Joined: Nov 2013
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Technically you can drive the truck to your Ford dealership and take it apart in the parking lot. Swap cluster so you are at the point where it just cranks but no start with anti-theft flashing.
Walk into the dealership, hand them the key, and tell them to reflash the computer because it is intermittently starting/no starting, they will charge you $100 to $120.
I was in a similar situation and the locksmith I found was a huge waste of time and money. He was a clown with a clown machine (that he claimed was worth 10 or 20 grand). Everytime he programmed the key his crappy tool counted down 15 minutes! And he attempted to program the key a number of times. It was pretty frustrating because I agreed to pay him a small fee just to come out, even if he couldn't fix it, which he couldn't.
Another option is to send it for repair, there are a number of people on eBay that will repair the gauges on your cluster...
Walk into the dealership, hand them the key, and tell them to reflash the computer because it is intermittently starting/no starting, they will charge you $100 to $120.
I was in a similar situation and the locksmith I found was a huge waste of time and money. He was a clown with a clown machine (that he claimed was worth 10 or 20 grand). Everytime he programmed the key his crappy tool counted down 15 minutes! And he attempted to program the key a number of times. It was pretty frustrating because I agreed to pay him a small fee just to come out, even if he couldn't fix it, which he couldn't.
Another option is to send it for repair, there are a number of people on eBay that will repair the gauges on your cluster...
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Technically you can drive the truck to your Ford dealership and take it apart in the parking lot. Swap cluster so you are at the point where it just cranks but no start with anti-theft flashing.
Walk into the dealership, hand them the key, and tell them to reflash the computer because it is intermittently starting/no starting, they will charge you $100 to $120.
Walk into the dealership, hand them the key, and tell them to reflash the computer because it is intermittently starting/no starting, they will charge you $100 to $120.
Thanks so much,
Jake
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
I've had 2 of these crank no start and the solution is to reflash PCM/computer at dealership. I actually have a 3rd that over the winter due to lack of being started is also flashing anti-theft and needs to be reflashed but I haven't got to that one yet.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
He was a clown with a clown machine (that he claimed was worth 10 or 20 grand). Everytime he programmed the key his crappy tool counted down 15 minutes!
I've had 2 of these crank no start and the solution is to reflash PCM/computer at dealership. I actually have a 3rd that over the winter due to lack of being started is also flashing anti-theft and needs to be reflashed but I haven't got to that one yet.
Do not reprogram keys unless a defective key or
control function has been replaced. Reprogramming
keys does not fix any known problem by itself.
control function has been replaced. Reprogramming
keys does not fix any known problem by itself.
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After checking around another person with a similar problemtold me that if I replace the cluster with another one and have the computerflashed that it will mess with the odometer.
How does that work?
Thanks so much,
Jake
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Joined: Nov 2013
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It will mess with the odometer...As in whatever the new cluster reads that will be what your odometer reads. This is a $100 fix (I took mine to a Ford dealership in Belleville)...It's something that if you drop them off at 9am it is ready by 11am...
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I did just what you suggested and it did fix my problem.
Now I am on to the next issue.
A big thank you to all for of your help and direction,
Jake
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