Gauge help
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
The fact that the OP and fuel level work means the ICVR (instrument cluster voltage regulator) is functioning. To check the coolant temp, reinstall the cluster, turn the ignition to "on". If the gauge doesn't move, ground the wire that goes to the sending unit, the gauge should swing all the way over past "H". If it does, replace the sending unit. If it doesn't move, either the gauge itself is bad or the wiring has a problem.
As for the ammeter, that design had problems from the word go, they rarely work. It was so bad that Ford issued a TSB (techincal service bulletin) on them
As for the ammeter, that design had problems from the word go, they rarely work. It was so bad that Ford issued a TSB (techincal service bulletin) on them
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 340
From: Wildwood Pa
Cleaning the copper where the bulb holders make contact can help bulbs work again. A pencil eraser works well for this. Clean the contacts on the bulb holders as well. sometimes the contacts on the holders need to be bent slightly to make better contact. Replace the bulbs too.
What Mike said about the gauges. You can also remove the nuts that hold the gauges to the cluster & clean that contact too. A good cleaning can get an amp meter to work again, but they will quit as soon as the slightest bit of corrosion comes back. The amp gauge works on very low voltage, less than .5V, so it doesn't take much to make it stop working.
Clean the contacts in the plug & socket while you are there.
I've found that if you put a few drops of tabasco sauce on the copper contacts, & wait a few minutes, then wipe off the corrosion comes right off.
What Mike said about the gauges. You can also remove the nuts that hold the gauges to the cluster & clean that contact too. A good cleaning can get an amp meter to work again, but they will quit as soon as the slightest bit of corrosion comes back. The amp gauge works on very low voltage, less than .5V, so it doesn't take much to make it stop working.
Clean the contacts in the plug & socket while you are there.
I've found that if you put a few drops of tabasco sauce on the copper contacts, & wait a few minutes, then wipe off the corrosion comes right off.
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