Random Loose Wire Behind Cluster?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2018
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Random Loose Wire Behind Cluster?
Hello all. Truck is a 77 F150. I am trying ti fix all of the hacks the previous owner did. One main issue is there are no gauge lights....
Previously there were red LED adhesive strips stuck to the cluster. And tapped into a wire coming from behind the dash. I cut that fof and trashed it, however I cannot find where the wire is "Supposed" to go. Below is a pic, any insight is awesome!
First pic is where it was cut off. Second is where it goes behind the dash. It connects to a big plug with a few other of the gray with red wires.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2018
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Cigarette lighter didn't work. Another giant pain in the *** cause I can't charge my phone on trips. It has a lead on the back of it for power, but it is currently on my parts shelf as I didn't know which wire went to it.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2018
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Okay. I will check all three and report back later tonight.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2018
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So you are assuming that it is intended for the cigarette lighter to function and give accessories power?
That would be good and bad. Good that I could fix that part of the truck. Bad that, it means I still have no idea why my gauge cluster does not illuminate.
That would be good and bad. Good that I could fix that part of the truck. Bad that, it means I still have no idea why my gauge cluster does not illuminate.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
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Check to see that you have tail lights coming on with the headlights. If not, that would point to a fuse. (I think/assume they share the fuse on these trucks.)
Does your HVAC controls and headlight and wiper switch labels light up? Factory radio? Could be your headlight switch too. Does it turn on the domelight like it should? And just in case you're not one of us old farts, you do know that the headlight switch is the dimmer for those lights, correct? Counter clockwise will brighten the dash lights, and eventually turn on the domelight.
The other possibility is that the light bulbs are simply burned out. There are two for the gauges, one for the lights/wiper switches, one for the HVAC, and one in the factory radio. If all the bulbs are good, inspect the cluster shell for crumbling/erosion around the bulb socket holes. Ford or their vendor used the wrong kind of plastic for several years.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2018
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Hopefully I only made an *** of me...
Check to see that you have tail lights coming on with the headlights. If not, that would point to a fuse. (I think/assume they share the fuse on these trucks.)
Does your HVAC controls and headlight and wiper switch labels light up? Factory radio? Could be your headlight switch too. Does it turn on the domelight like it should? And just in case you're not one of us old farts, you do know that the headlight switch is the dimmer for those lights, correct? Counter clockwise will brighten the dash lights, and eventually turn on the domelight.
The other possibility is that the light bulbs are simply burned out. There are two for the gauges, one for the lights/wiper switches, one for the HVAC, and one in the factory radio. If all the bulbs are good, inspect the cluster shell for crumbling/erosion around the bulb socket holes. Ford or their vendor used the wrong kind of plastic for several years.
Check to see that you have tail lights coming on with the headlights. If not, that would point to a fuse. (I think/assume they share the fuse on these trucks.)
Does your HVAC controls and headlight and wiper switch labels light up? Factory radio? Could be your headlight switch too. Does it turn on the domelight like it should? And just in case you're not one of us old farts, you do know that the headlight switch is the dimmer for those lights, correct? Counter clockwise will brighten the dash lights, and eventually turn on the domelight.
The other possibility is that the light bulbs are simply burned out. There are two for the gauges, one for the lights/wiper switches, one for the HVAC, and one in the factory radio. If all the bulbs are good, inspect the cluster shell for crumbling/erosion around the bulb socket holes. Ford or their vendor used the wrong kind of plastic for several years.
Okay a lot to dissect.. Currently I ahve another post where my taillights don't work.... ALOT of wiring issues. I also have no radio. I will check to see if the HVAC control illuminates. I do have headlights, high and low. And I do know about the switch be the dimmer. The dome light does not work either. I highly considered buying a painless harness or a new OEM harness. However after I pulled the cluster out there wasn't many wires disconnected. Two that went to the radio, one that was in the T/S switch which I replaced completely, this one and then some issues with my brake light switch I think you've already lent some advice on.
All the fuses looked fine, I inspected them Sunday. I will double check though and then see what illuminates and what doesn't. No visual corrosion on the cluster at all, and I will check the bulbs just to be safe.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Taxachusetts
Originally, I think that BLUE/red went to the cluster lights, with a WHITE/blue connection to it.
Gauges have the 18 grey pin connector on the back where the printed plastic dealie is....it's #10 on it....#9 (BLACK) is the cluster ground.
Gauges have the 18 grey pin connector on the back where the printed plastic dealie is....it's #10 on it....#9 (BLACK) is the cluster ground.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 243
Likes: 10
The green plug w/ the yellow wire and blue wire is for your radio. Your index finger is almost pointing to it. You could temporarily wire you up something to get your cigarette lighter working so you can charge your phone.
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