Instrument cluster & lighting doesn't work.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
Instrument cluster & lighting doesn't work.
on the 73 that i just got, only the speedometer works, but none of the other guages, or even the dash lights work, the connector was plugged in and didn't look harmed, but still doesn't work. is it possible that the entire instrument panel is bad? or is there a hidden fuse of fusible link(did they even use fuseable links that far back?) that i dont know about?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Check that there is power in at least one wire of the harness connector that attaches to the instrument panel.
Very carefully check the printed circuit on the back of the instrument panel, sometimes they get small cracks which causes a loss of power.
Also check the voltage regulator mounted on the back of the instrument panel, it's a small 1" box that gives power to the guages.
Let us know what you find.
Marty
Very carefully check the printed circuit on the back of the instrument panel, sometimes they get small cracks which causes a loss of power.
Also check the voltage regulator mounted on the back of the instrument panel, it's a small 1" box that gives power to the guages.
Let us know what you find.
Marty
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
muscle,
The foil conductor wrap around the back of the IP can get folded and loose contact with the plug. It's pretty common. This is my guess. Dissassemble the IP and inspect the plastic conductor sheet. Carefully push the conductor wrap into the IP and reassemble.
Secondly, if you ground either your temp or oil sending unit wire to ground it should peg the gage. This is a quick way to tell if you have power.
Good Luck.
KingFisher
The foil conductor wrap around the back of the IP can get folded and loose contact with the plug. It's pretty common. This is my guess. Dissassemble the IP and inspect the plastic conductor sheet. Carefully push the conductor wrap into the IP and reassemble.
Secondly, if you ground either your temp or oil sending unit wire to ground it should peg the gage. This is a quick way to tell if you have power.
Good Luck.
KingFisher
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
yesterday i tried grounding the gas guage to see if it was the guage or sender and the guage didnt do anything, and i had the ip out and looked at the circuit, didn't see much(i dont remember any cracks or breaks in it), although at that time i didn't know exactly what to look for. i wont be able to get to it again untill tomarrow afternoon, but will check it out. also,where could i stick a test light to see if its getting power?
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 0
From: TX
I think the main wire for the lights is the blue and red one. (correct me if Im wrong). I had the same problem on mine and thats what I remember checking to make sure I had power. My IP was cracked real bad and the lights wouldnt keep contact. Also on my gas gauges the foil was bent back and lost contact with the plug. The blue and red wire runs from the plug in the back of head light switch, you should be able to trace it from there.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga, NY
Haynes for these trucks have what you need as far a wiring goes, yet they arent as good as say a modern Mitchell manual or Alldata, but then Fords werent that easy to read either back then. Yeah you gotta know how to read them.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
I was having the same problems.
I took the cluster out, unplugged the large harness, then turned the headlights on, which in turn the interior gauge lights should come on, then used my test light to see if there was any power getting to the metal "tongs" on the end of the harness. I ended up having to replace the "mylar" plastic backing that contains the metal components that delivers the power to the twist in bulb sockets. For some reason if one of the bulbs that provides the lighting (not blinkers or brake indicator) is shot the other one wouldn't work with my panel. Make sure you have good bulbs.
I took the cluster out, unplugged the large harness, then turned the headlights on, which in turn the interior gauge lights should come on, then used my test light to see if there was any power getting to the metal "tongs" on the end of the harness. I ended up having to replace the "mylar" plastic backing that contains the metal components that delivers the power to the twist in bulb sockets. For some reason if one of the bulbs that provides the lighting (not blinkers or brake indicator) is shot the other one wouldn't work with my panel. Make sure you have good bulbs.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Washington
The bulbs are probably wired in series.
As for the complexity of the service manuals...errr, I ordered them anyway before I read the replies above. I'm interested in getting them not just for wiring diagrams but for everything else too (primarily).
As for the complexity of the service manuals...errr, I ordered them anyway before I read the replies above. I'm interested in getting them not just for wiring diagrams but for everything else too (primarily).
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
I got the mylar backing off of the back of a cluster on an econoline van that has the same guage setup. I do believe that the mylar thing came on many, many trucks and vans. Probably any of the mid 70's early 80's trucks and vans should have one. I even think that mine came out of a 90's model econoline van. Just make sure the guage cluster is practically the same.