I have a 1998 F150 truck that has a battery volt meter that would work periodically and when it didn't work I checked the alternator with a multi-meter and the charging system was charging properly. I didn't start the truck for 6 weeks and found the battery was dead when I went to start it. I replaced the battery because it was 7 years old and when I started the truck , 3 or 4 seconds later all of my gauges stopped working including the tachometer. I have lights for the instruments and fuse #5 and #29 are good. I have all the other functions that are controlled by the body module. I assume the #2 relay which is 5 amp rating is overheating since my gauges worked for 3 or 4 seconds. I thought maybe it was a ground issue ,but I'm not sure since there are several things that work that share G201 ground. It had rained a lot while the truck sit and it seemed like moisture had gotten into the cab of the truck. Need some expert help on figuring out what may be wrong.I

 

Instrument illumination is separate from instrument operations.
While the fuses might be good, did you verify they are actually passing power 1) through the fuse and 2) to their respective connector pins on the cluster?
Did you check the integrity of the ground connection from the cluster to the grounding stud?

 

No sir I have not. I've had to stop working on the truck because of rain. I'm working outside and when the weather changes I'll be able to process and check it out. I'll give a post follow up when I'm able to get back to it. Thanks for your input.

 

Give those things a checkout when the weather clears. If none of those pan out, report your specific observations AND measurements for further analysis.

 

Connect a battery charger and fully charge the battery. Sometimes a low battery will cause issues with the onboard electronics.

 

I have a Fuse 29 issue on my '98 F150. The PO installed a 10A in place of the 5A and it lasted about 3 weeks. When it blew on me, I looked at online diagrams and found out it was supposed to be a 5A.

I found an old thread with this advice

>>>F29 in the CJB blows when the little wiring harness that goes into the shift lever from the steering column wears through and shorts out to the shift lever.

>>>Remove the column shrouds and repair with electrical tape, at a minimum.

I am going to look up how to access the wires and go from there.

 

I'm having this same issue. GEM is good, fuse 29 keeps burning. I've opened up the steering column shroud, idk which area the bared wire is, can anyone point me to the right location?

 

How do know the GEM is good? did you remove the fuse box and pull the GEM and pin it out
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Look at the little wiring harness that runs up into the shift lever tube. They usually chafe right at the lower end of the tube.

Leave the GEM module alone unless you actually know what you're doing.

 

Thanks for the replies....
I can reinstall a 5a fuse and it works, it blows when the column is tilted or when the ride is bumpy.

I'll open it back up and post a pic if I cnt find the wire, not mechanically inclined!
Thanks guys, I'll try it this afternoon I hope

 

If you can't find it, just replace the shift lever, it comes with a new harness.

 

Thanks guys, i believe you led me to it