Cluster problem
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Cluster problem
I have an 82 F-150 that's been good to me for the year or so I've owned it. Last night, I fired it up...no problems until I turned the headlights on...with that, the cluster stopped working with the exception of the cable driven speedo. The only lights that come on at all are the high beam notification & the directionals which still blink when activated. I've checked all the fuses, they seem ok. & My dash is currently apart but connected. What's wrong with my cluster & how can I fix it? Keep in mind that it works with the lights off but not on.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
I would look to the headlight switch itself. Mine had the same issue along with the instrument panel(s) lamps dimming intermittently. It's also a good idea to replace the highbeam switch if it's all crudded up. All of your "grounds" solid ?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Orlando area
So it is just the cluster lights that stopped working - or did the gauges stop working? Please clarify your last sentence.
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the guages also stopped working with the lights on...they work with the lights off only...the heater blower also doesn't work with the lights on
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,636
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From: Orlando area
Is this with engine running or off?
Are your sure you have enough battery power? Maybe alternator (or regulator) is not working and battery has now dropped too low, so when the headlights are on there isn't enough power for the other demands. You can check this easily with a voltmeter.
Are your sure you have enough battery power? Maybe alternator (or regulator) is not working and battery has now dropped too low, so when the headlights are on there isn't enough power for the other demands. You can check this easily with a voltmeter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
Good thing for 4WD !
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,554
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From: Northern Arizona
With all 4 gauges on the right being dead... sounds like it could be the instrument cluster voltage regulator ICVR. Don't know if that would affect the cluster illumination though. Might be worth a quick look at the circuit film itself. I've seen a few with burnt ammeter leads that melted other circuits in the process...
Edit: do you have illumination on your HVAC controls and radio (if still stock)? That might help separate a cluster problem from a light switch problem. I just don't see why the headlight switch would kill your gauges...
Edit: do you have illumination on your HVAC controls and radio (if still stock)? That might help separate a cluster problem from a light switch problem. I just don't see why the headlight switch would kill your gauges...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
I'm thinking it is a ground problem, and everything is grounding through the headlights until they are turned on and then there's no ground and, therefore, no function. Page 6 here shows everything in the cab grounds through G701, which is behind the instrument panel near the right hand side of the radio: Grounds - ???Gary's Garagemahal. If that were bad you might get the symptoms being seen.