I'm thinking of buying this F250 from a dealer, but he said the instrument cluster needs to be replaced. A couple of the dash lights are on (doors open, check engine, check gauge, etc.), and he said that's why it needs to be replaced. The cab lights are also unreliable, sometimes they turn on when I open the door, sometimes they stay on after I've been out of the truck for 20 minutes. So, I'm wondering if replacing the instrument cluster would fix this, or if it could be a bigger issue?

Also, if it's just the instrument cluster that needs replacing, where can I find one I can install myself? The truck is a 2002 F250 diesel with a 7.3L Powerstroke engine.

Thanks!

 

You can get a cluster REPAIRED for under $200. One of the forum sponsors is in that business.

There are very likely more issues than just the cluster. You'll be buying a can of worms if you do not know what you are doing.

 

its most likely the computer...

why else the dealer did not fix it first.. my opinion.

 

There is no evidence presented that indicates a problem with the "computer".

 

Get it repaired, Contact "Circuit board medics" the have a video on their website shows how to remove it, it is very easy to remove. I would add that you should unhook your batteries and if you unplug the two switches to the left of the steering column it easier to remove the cluster then you have to just support the cover till you get it back and reinstall it. It's $169.00 to repair the cluster through CBM.

 

I would not be so keen on a truck with issues like that.

I would seriously have it checked out at a ford dealer before agreeing to purchase said vehicle.

Not to say that its not just the dash, but I would think a car dealer would fix the issue asap to get more out of the truck. I would at least ask for a warranty regarding the issues that are popping up in case its a general electrical bug.

my 2 cents at least. =-)

 

Oh how wrong you can be,-
I had mine at the local stealership for a week they couldn't figure out what is wrong, Because you get no error codes with this problem. I also took it to the local auto electric repair shop and the guy there couldn't find the problem.
I've posted this before but here it is again.

"here are some of the problems cause by a faulty Instrument cluster, Gauge problems and a myriad of other problems all originate from the instrument cluster, they can include, Issues with, Dome light, Radio, TCB, VVS, Odometer/ Speedometer, FALSE Error codes, Drain batteries, Damage your FICM. You will not get error codes with a faulty instrument cluster.
Search for instrument cluster repair and talk to those folks"
On Mine the dome light was blinking, the radio would come on, the message center would flash TBC Fault/Check Gauges, the chime would go off. first 4, then 3, then two times, then repeat. The Dome light would blink. This all happened in the middle of the night when the truck was turned off for hour.
Also some times the radio would come on when I opened the door. NO ERROR MESSAGES WHAT SO EVER. FORD is well aware of this problem but they never talk about it
MUMS the word.
Search for instrument cluster and you will find a bunch of messages about this problem on this site.

Do Not go to the stealership, Contact, Circuit board medics and talk to them. it's an easy fix and not to expensive if you do it yourself.

 

It's also quite possible that the cluster was changed out already with one that has not been programmed for the truck. I'm suspicious as to why the dealer didn't fix the cluster (unless he tried by changing it with another already). Make sure you pull a Carfax report and see how the mileage lines up with what's on the dash.