Hi all,
Been quite awhile since I've been on but need to solicit some advice.
I have a 2005 F250 Super Duty 5.4 gas with 4x4.
The last few days I've experienced odd behavior with, in no particular order the following.
Dome light stays on and wont time out and turn off after shutting off truck, locking doors and walking away.
Random gauge failures (they just quit) and e brake light coming on without applying e brake.
When gage cluster fails, power windows quit too. As does cluster back lighting.
Not technical but a wrap on the top of the dash usually fixes the problem for a short time.
My research points to a bad cluster which could have various problems causing these issues.
What are your thoughts on circuitboardmedics.com?
I called them and they thought that very possibly could be the culprit.
I don't want to throw away $300.00 bucks but seems like a reasonable place for the problem to manifest itself.
Would be great to hear of any experiences with this problem and the success with circuitboardmedics.com.
Being the glutton for punishment I am, I have pulled the cluster once the other day, inspected, pulled and reseated the connectors on the top of the cluster and reassembled.
No joy. Same behavior.
Any and all thoughts and comments are appreciated.
By the way if you go that route, do you get yours rebuilt, or order an exchange unit, and what are your thoughts on the led backlighting upgrade.
Not in a big hurry so truck could be down while waiting for my cluster to get refurbished in lieu of quick turn around with just ordering a refurbished one off the shelf.
And sending mine back as a core.
Many Thanks,
Bob Belz 2005 F250 Super Duty XL 4x4. (138,xxx miles)

 

Circuitboardmedics.com is a good repair service - at work we’ve sent them clusters, PCM’s and BCM’s from Ford and Chevy for repair and they’ve been able to repair them. I don’t know exact costs as my boss handles the direct communication but I’m sure it will vary some depending on what actual repairs need to be done.

The reason for the seemingly random accessory operation is because the battery saver relay is a printed circuit board relay that’s integrated into the cluster and that provides power to the coil side of the accessory delay relay. The cluster malfunctioning is certainly affecting the accessory delay operation.

HOWEVER - before you just send it out for repair, first verify the power and ground feeds to the cluster are good. A weak power/ground feed can also cause the malfunctioning you describe. Make sure to wiggle test the harness while checking the feeds to identify intermittent opens in the circuits.

 

DB,
Thanks for your response on the gauge cluster and circuit medics inquiry.
Appreciate the schematic too. That's a big help to understanding what I can't see.
I'll check grounds and other possible loose wires before committing to a new cluster.
I appreciate your in-depth explanation.
All the Best,
Bob.

 

You’re welcome