Ghost in the dome lights

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Jul 9, 2022 | 09:30 PM

Digital_Dad

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From: SW MO

Ghost in the dome lights

We have been trying to get the ghost exorcism done on the 2004 f150 fx4 5.4l automatic on the column 4wd crew cab. It has a flickering dome and cargo light issue we can't seem to get fixed. We have sanded down to metal and cleaned up the grounds in the engine compartment, yesterday the passenger side kick panel by the fuse box and today both of the ones behind the drivers kick panel. The lower one sparked and made the lights flicker when we were taking it off? Anyone else ever fight this demon?

Jul 11, 2022 | 07:36 AM

WWR

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99.8% of the time it's your instrument cluster. Especially if you get the constant or random BRAKE light. Actually you might be able to diagnose by hitting top left of dash above cluster when it's happening, and/or removing top panel and pushing in the connector up there (there are also YT vids showing which connector and where)

There are YT vids on where to re-solder if you wish to attempt the fix, or send it off for repair. Don't think a used cluster will fix your issue, it's extremely likely it has similar issues.

Circuit Board Medics is a big name for repair service, but you pay for the name. I had our '08 cluster repaired from a place on ebay out of Arlington TX and it's been great. Cost was around $85 pre-panicdemic. If you send it off list all concerns, such as BRAKE light, ghost dome light, LCD backlight, and is your airbag light illuminating during self-test?

Also, please don't vanish. Let us know what you find and what you eventually do to resolve the issue.

Jul 11, 2022 | 07:46 AM

WWR

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Also, if you have an XL cluster (no tach) and always longed for a tach, now is actually the time to upgrade to an XLT cluster (avoid FX4 clusters)

I did this on my '07 XL and really enjoy it, but you'll almost surely want FORSCAN to program the new cluster with your ABD (as built data). It's nowhere near as terrifying as it sounds, and if you want to do it we can walk you through that.

In this instance I wouldn't repair your existing cluster but just order an XLT off ebay (what I did) and then determine what issues it has, and have it repaired if necessary (likely). The bonus is you could still run around with your old cluster while the new is being repaired. You'll lose your existing odo reading as FORSCAN can't change this in these F150s, and I'm not sure even CBM can, but maybe? But basically whatever mileage the new cluster has is what you'll see. My replacement -- ironically-- has 99k less than actual, so it makes for easy math: just add 100k (again, for easy math) to the reading and that's actual mileage

Again, please let us know what you find!!

Jul 11, 2022 | 02:35 PM

Digital_Dad

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From: SW MO

Thank you! Do you have any links to some good videos?

This is a FX4, but it has the XLT style cluster with the tach in it?

Jul 11, 2022 | 02:45 PM

WWR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital_Dad

Thank you! Do you have any links to some good videos?

Well YT has a search function and God helps those who help themselves, but:

and 2:40 here is very important

Jul 11, 2022 | 03:11 PM

Digital_Dad

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From: SW MO

I agree but I have searched and am still searching, none of those videos you linked or so far none of the ones I have found searching really show the repair being done(soldering and which places to solder). I was really searching for something that shows the actual repair possibly.

Jul 11, 2022 | 04:05 PM

WWR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital_Dad

He shows clearly where to solder at 2:53 in the first video. If you need a tutorial on soldering circuit boards that's a separate topic. I'd inspect everything carefully for cracked solder while you're at it, which is again a separate issue of electronics repair SOP

Anyway, good luck