Request for help with electrical problem
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Joined: Jan 2019
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Request for help with electrical problem
Hello,
I hope someone can help me.
I'm setting myself up for a Ford F-100 (1978, V8 5.0L, 302cui) and am currently standing with a big question mark in my face.
My problem: The instrument lighting is working only partially.
The light or bulbs for safety belts, handbrake, high beam, turn signals on the left and right, windscreen wipers and driving lights and the lighting from the heating unit work.
It does not work: Oil gauge lighting, fuel gauge, speedometer, battery gauge and engine temperature gauge.
What I could exclude:
- All bulbs of the instrument unit replaced by new ones (also versions cleaned)
- fuse works (it is fine and otherwise the other lights would not go)
- Plug in the unit (on the back) seems to be in order and has also locked in
Did I miss something? Could the "board" (cluster at the back) at the back have a defect? Or is there a special trick?
Already thank you for accepting my problem.
I hope someone can help me.
I'm setting myself up for a Ford F-100 (1978, V8 5.0L, 302cui) and am currently standing with a big question mark in my face.
My problem: The instrument lighting is working only partially.
The light or bulbs for safety belts, handbrake, high beam, turn signals on the left and right, windscreen wipers and driving lights and the lighting from the heating unit work.
It does not work: Oil gauge lighting, fuel gauge, speedometer, battery gauge and engine temperature gauge.
What I could exclude:
- All bulbs of the instrument unit replaced by new ones (also versions cleaned)
- fuse works (it is fine and otherwise the other lights would not go)
- Plug in the unit (on the back) seems to be in order and has also locked in
Did I miss something? Could the "board" (cluster at the back) at the back have a defect? Or is there a special trick?
Already thank you for accepting my problem.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
The back of the cluster can crumble, causing the bulb holders to not go in tightly, and losing contact.
Your light switch could be the problem too. And don't forget that the **** can be turned to change the brightness, so it might be all the way at dim, if you're lucky.
Are your heater controls and the indicators for the headlight and wiper controls lighting up? They're supposed to light up with the gauge lights.
Your light switch could be the problem too. And don't forget that the **** can be turned to change the brightness, so it might be all the way at dim, if you're lucky.
Are your heater controls and the indicators for the headlight and wiper controls lighting up? They're supposed to light up with the gauge lights.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm setting myself up for a 1978 F-100 and am currently standing with a big question mark in my face. My problem:
The instrument lighting is working only partially. The light or bulbs for safety belts, handbrake, high beam, turn signals on the left and right, windscreen wipers and driving lights and the lighting from the heating unit work.
It does not work: Oil gauge lighting, fuel gauge, speedometer, battery gauge and engine temperature gauge.
What I could exclude:
All bulbs of the instrument unit replaced by new ones (also versions cleaned) / Fuse works (it is fine and otherwise the other lights would not go).
Plug in the unit (on the back) seems to be in order and has also locked in
Did I miss something? Does the "board" (cluster back) have a defect?
YES!
The instrument lighting is working only partially. The light or bulbs for safety belts, handbrake, high beam, turn signals on the left and right, windscreen wipers and driving lights and the lighting from the heating unit work.
It does not work: Oil gauge lighting, fuel gauge, speedometer, battery gauge and engine temperature gauge.
What I could exclude:
All bulbs of the instrument unit replaced by new ones (also versions cleaned) / Fuse works (it is fine and otherwise the other lights would not go).
Plug in the unit (on the back) seems to be in order and has also locked in
Did I miss something? Does the "board" (cluster back) have a defect?
YES!
The instrument cluster backs were made of a composition material that can TURN TO DUST before your very eyes!
1981: Ford came out with hard plastic cluster backs for Econolines. These were also the "service part replacements" for the POS composition cluster backs.
There are TWO types, both are obsolete. CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has both of them (dennis_carpenter.com .. 704-786-8139).
E1PZ-10848-A .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back - Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Obsolete
1981/91 Econoline / Retrofit: 1975/79 F100/350; 1975/80 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco.
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E1PZ-10848-B .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Obsolete
1981/86 Econoline / Retrofit: 1975/79 F100/350; 1975/80 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 118
Holger:
If the above solutions don't correct your problem...this may be a stretch but I have a 66 that had a similar issue. I know the year is different, but Ford kept a lot of the wiring similar year to year. Check your ground at the ignition switch and your 12v power supply at the ignition switch. I think that the items you mention get either a ground or power through the switch, so make sure the ignition housing is getting ground and that the wires coming from the back of the ignition switch are all "hot". The items you mention all have a "common denominator".
If the above solutions don't correct your problem...this may be a stretch but I have a 66 that had a similar issue. I know the year is different, but Ford kept a lot of the wiring similar year to year. Check your ground at the ignition switch and your 12v power supply at the ignition switch. I think that the items you mention get either a ground or power through the switch, so make sure the ignition housing is getting ground and that the wires coming from the back of the ignition switch are all "hot". The items you mention all have a "common denominator".
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