Intermittent Gauge Cluster issue….ideas?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
A few weeks ago I had a strange issue with my gauge cluster in my 05’ F250. I fired up the truck, and put it in 4-low …as soon as I shifted the transfer case into 4x4, the display on the gauge cluster popped up a TBC error fault, the check engine and wrench light came on, the odometer read “- - - - - - - - - - - -“, and the speedo and tach went dead….but the truck still idled and ran just fine. I shut it off, restarted the truck……..and everything worked fine. I scanned the truck for any fault codes, nope…nothing, no faults of any kind. I tried shifting the transfer case into 4L and back into 2H again…worked fine, no issues. I figured it was just a fluke…..
Fast forward a week….and I’m at the campground with my family last weekend with our camper. I fire up the truck in the morning, the dash display instantly does the same thing….TBC fault display, no odometer, tach, speedo, and check engine light. Crap! Well, I let the truck idle for a few minutes…..all of a sudden, the TBC fault clears, and everything starts working again. Never had a problem the rest of the day.
I’ve checked the plugs going into the gauge cluster…nothing appeared to be lose. I might try calling circuit board medics and see what they think….but I’m sure they will want to just rebuild the gauge cluster….because that’s what they get paid to do.
So does this sound like the common gauge cluster problem…..or something else? The thing about it doing it as soon as I shifted the transfer case into 4low doesn’t make any sense to me…..along with getting a TBC fault, that’s odd also.
Thoughts?
Fast forward a week….and I’m at the campground with my family last weekend with our camper. I fire up the truck in the morning, the dash display instantly does the same thing….TBC fault display, no odometer, tach, speedo, and check engine light. Crap! Well, I let the truck idle for a few minutes…..all of a sudden, the TBC fault clears, and everything starts working again. Never had a problem the rest of the day.
I’ve checked the plugs going into the gauge cluster…nothing appeared to be lose. I might try calling circuit board medics and see what they think….but I’m sure they will want to just rebuild the gauge cluster….because that’s what they get paid to do.
So does this sound like the common gauge cluster problem…..or something else? The thing about it doing it as soon as I shifted the transfer case into 4low doesn’t make any sense to me…..along with getting a TBC fault, that’s odd also.
Thoughts?
also check your wire harness That connects into the dash which may have gotten chafed and or possibly damaged
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 330
Likes: 15
From: Greenville, SC
I just sent you a PM, but then I saw your last post. There is a possibility that the bluetooth module is the cause of the problems. Obviously, you are having issues over the CAN network that is controlling the data going to the cluster. The bluetooth module is basically tapping into that same network through the OBD2 plug, so it is very likely that it is either faulty or overloading that CAN network with some of it's messaging. I would leave it unplugged for a while and see if you have any more issues.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
I just sent you a PM, but then I saw your last post. There is a possibility that the bluetooth module is the cause of the problems. Obviously, you are having issues over the CAN network that is controlling the data going to the cluster. The bluetooth module is basically tapping into that same network through the OBD2 plug, so it is very likely that it is either faulty or overloading that CAN network with some of it's messaging. I would leave it unplugged for a while and see if you have any more issues.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
Well, I’m 110% sure that the ELM327 OBD Bluetooth Adapter is what’s causing the intermittent issues with my gauge cluster. I haven’t used it for the last few weeks……and then this weekend when I did some towing, I decided to use the Torque PRO app on my phone to keep an eye on things. I had no problems with it at all until later in the day when I stopped at a gas station to fuel up. I left the adapter plugged in while the truck was off, and then after I started the truck up and started to pull out of the gas station…..the gauges went dead, and I got the check engine light on the dash, and TBC fault.
As I was driving down the road I reached down, and as soon as I unplugged the OBD adapter, the gauges instantly came back on….the check engine light turned off, and the TBC fault display turned off….and everything went back to normal.
There is no doubt in my mind now that the OBD Bluetooth adapter is causing my issues. Tons of people use this same setup on their trucks…I wonder why mine would be having such as issue with it? I guess I can try a different OBD adapter and see if that fixes the issue.
As I was driving down the road I reached down, and as soon as I unplugged the OBD adapter, the gauges instantly came back on….the check engine light turned off, and the TBC fault display turned off….and everything went back to normal.
There is no doubt in my mind now that the OBD Bluetooth adapter is causing my issues. Tons of people use this same setup on their trucks…I wonder why mine would be having such as issue with it? I guess I can try a different OBD adapter and see if that fixes the issue.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I use the OBDLink LX (https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-lxbt/).
I had some issues with the truck starting a couple of times with Torque Pro open on my phone. The adapter and phone are on when I start the truck but now I don't open Torque Pro until the truck is running and I haven't had a problem since.
I had some issues with the truck starting a couple of times with Torque Pro open on my phone. The adapter and phone are on when I start the truck but now I don't open Torque Pro until the truck is running and I haven't had a problem since.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 3
It's the $12 ELM327 adapter you can get off of Amazon. But from what I've been reading.....it's more a problem with the Torque PRO App vs. the Adapter.
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Mountain Pass
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Joined: Dec 2012
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imq707s,
We're sorry to hear you are having issues with your truck. My first thought is that it sounds like your cluster is losing CAN communication somehow. The symptoms you are having align with that pretty well. The TBC fault can show when the cluster isn't communicating with the TBC properly. The signal for both the tach and speedo come through CAN. It would also make sense why your CEL is coming on and just dashes showing on your odometer because the cluster is not communicating with the PCM. I would probably check your wiring coming into the cluster first since it seems to have issues communicating with several different modules (Pin 6 - black wire & Pin 7 - white wire on the blue plug of your cluster). If the wiring checks out, then I would probably look at the cluster itself as the possible issue. If you determine that the cluster is likely the issue then please let us know, and we can figure out how to help serve you in the best way. Please let us know if you have any other questions or need any further assistance.
We're sorry to hear you are having issues with your truck. My first thought is that it sounds like your cluster is losing CAN communication somehow. The symptoms you are having align with that pretty well. The TBC fault can show when the cluster isn't communicating with the TBC properly. The signal for both the tach and speedo come through CAN. It would also make sense why your CEL is coming on and just dashes showing on your odometer because the cluster is not communicating with the PCM. I would probably check your wiring coming into the cluster first since it seems to have issues communicating with several different modules (Pin 6 - black wire & Pin 7 - white wire on the blue plug of your cluster). If the wiring checks out, then I would probably look at the cluster itself as the possible issue. If you determine that the cluster is likely the issue then please let us know, and we can figure out how to help serve you in the best way. Please let us know if you have any other questions or need any further assistance.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 330
Likes: 15
From: Greenville, SC
@CircuitBoardMedics Having issue with my instruments cluster, could use a little help.
What is the year, make, and model of your truck?
What issues are you having and what do you need help with?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 175
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Curious if your truck has had any more issues. I'm working on a 2007 F350 with a suspected CAN issue. It runs like crap, shuts itself off, and my laptop running Autoenginuity cannot communicate. The odometer will display miles when you open the door and at key-on but soon after starting the engine it displays "---------" and at the same time gives "check gauge" and "TBC fault" warnings as well as illuminating the wrench. If my OBD adapter is connected it will display the blank miles and give the faults within seconds of key-on without starting the engine. At key-on the glow plugs will buzz indefinitely. I just got the gauge cluster back from Circuit Board Medics so the gauge cluster is not the issue. I checked all fuses and verified power/ground at the cluster connections per the instruction sheet they send back with the cluster.
You thought the OBD adapter was the issue. With this truck the OBD adapter seems to make it fault quicker but I do not believe it to be the problem.
You thought the OBD adapter was the issue. With this truck the OBD adapter seems to make it fault quicker but I do not believe it to be the problem.