OK campers, I think I figured it out! (Sorry if this gets long...)

I took out my instrument cluster to install my Nu-Image Flame gauges. Since my odometer has been plagued with the famous blackout syndrome, I decided to dive in and see if it could be fixed without giving Ford $375 for a new cluster.

What I found was a cold solder joint. With a couple of minutes using a solder pencil, problem solved! No need to fork over any money to Ford.

Here's how it goes: .

Using a service manual or CD, remove your instrument cluster









If you find a cold solder joint, simply touch it with a hot soldering pencil (NOT A GUN...It's TOO Hot!) and add just a touch of solder.

If all goes well, reverse the process to put it back together.

****IMPORTANT****
If you are not comfortable soldering or getting into electronic boards, you may want to consider finding someone in your area that is. (Maybe a stereo shop) I have been in electronics for several years and was willing to go for it rather than shell out the cash.

Good luck and remember to TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

If you have any questions, just shoot me an e-mail, I may be able to help out.

 

dakota-viking-

This is an awesome post!!! After reading it, I am going to try to muster enough ***** to try to fix mine as well. Thanks again. I will e-mail you if I have any quesitions. Thanks.

Bill

 

very good post and one of the best I've seen anywhere. 'Thanks.

 

Sweet! Talk to ken and see if you can get that made into a tech article

 

Viking- do you mind if I include this in my EOG 2.0?

If so, please email me with your full name, etc. so I can credit you properly.

This is great stuff.

XXL

 

How hard is it to remove the instrument cluster ???

 

KR1,

The cluster is very easy to remove. You have to remove the headlight switch, the cover just above the steering column, and the panel that houses the headlight switch and also goes around the cluster. Once that is out, just remove 4 bolts, 2 connectors and the gear display (just squeeze tabs and remove). With that, the cluster is out of the dash and in your hands.

It took me a total of about 14 minutes and that included disconnecting the battery (do this before you do anything else)

Good luck.

 

Thanks, will try it soon. The Odometer always has problems in the summer months, but is OK now.....

 

Well, It's been 3 days and about 50 degrees of temperature difference as well as about 150 miles of driving.

Everything is working perfectly and the odometer has not even blinked once!

I think it's a winner! Good luck to anyone else that tries this. If you have questions, just shoot me an e-mail.

 

Well I took the plunge this weekend and decided to pull the cluster out and take a look. My 1999 F150 has had odometer problem since about 50000 miles. Now has 69000 and I was tired of playing hide and go seek with it. Did just as Dakota said. Didn't have the magnifying glass which would have really come in handy but had the wife look at the pins and the picture that Dakota posted and sure enough it was the same one. Took a pencil type soldering iron with a very small tip and just touched pin and put a VERY small amount around the pin and it works like new. Looks odd now to look down and see odometer all lit up. Not a bad job if you take your time and don't get in a hurry. Thanks to Dakota Viking I saved myself about $300 plus from what I have heard. It appears that there are quite a few trucks out there with this problem.

 

Glad to be of assistance!

PS. I accept tips at....

Congrats on the fix!

Tim

 

glad I found this thread. just started having the blackout with my 99 F-150 about a week ago. I know what I'll be doing this weekend. put this thread in my favorites list in case I need to look it up again.

 

Great job! I knew someone would finally dig in and try a fix for this. Ive seen many clusters with this problem. Thanks!

 

Nice one dakota_viking!!!!

 

Am I glad I discovered this thread! My 2000 F150 has the same odometer blackout problem. When I turn the key and stop before actually starting, wait for the odometer light to finally come on - theres a low boom-thud sound coming from directly behind the dash. Anyone else discovered this? It only happens when the odometer lights up. Any ideas?
Cheers!