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Old Jul 22, 2004 | 07:03 AM
  #1  
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Instrument lights

"Hi", it's that V8 guy from England. I finally picked up my Lariat Screw yesterday and drove it back from Liverpool docks to Southampton, about 240 miles. I set the cruise at 60 mph and then kept an eye on the fuel economy it did 23.4 all the way home, no stops, brilliant i thought when 12 miles from home the dash, radio, heater, gear change console illumination went off. I've checked the fuses and are ok. Does anyone know what this might be or know of someone else i could get in contact with who may have had this problem ? I have no warranty with any dealer as i imported this truck myself.
Even though this has happened on the first day i am still smiling like a Cheshire cat, English expression. This truck is the best thing ever i love it. I went for a Lariat screw fully loaded with all the toys in wedgewood blue over beige, black leather captains and westin bull bar and side steps. I also had a fibrobeck tonneau painted to colour and a liner fitted. As you can imagine i'm well happy still, please help with the light problem if you can.
Regards to all 150 owners, V8
 
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Old Jul 22, 2004 | 10:49 AM
  #2  
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CruelCrew
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Sorry to here about your trouble. Welcome to poor quality American made products.

Just taking a stab, but it sounds like the main lighting connection at the instrument cluster board has gone bad. Maybe it's just loose. You really need a test light and a good wiring diagram to diagnose.

BTW, aren't there any Ford dealers in England? One of my favorite cars I owned was a 1971 Mercury Capri with the 6 cylinder. Made in Great Britain. One fun car.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2004 | 10:06 PM
  #3  
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The problem may be your instrument cluster dimmer (refer to your owners manual). It's located just to the right of your headlamp switch.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2004 | 11:55 PM
  #4  
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DaParm
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CruelCrew, there aren't any American Ford Dealers in Englad even though a few of England's finer vehicles are made (owned) by Ford. Granted if you had an escort or the likes you would probably be able to find someone to fix it but not an F150. Case in point (between American and British specs), I owned a VW Jetta that the trunk latch broke on, so I went to a VW shop and even though Borra is English for Jetta they had to special order the part because it was made with different specs.

Vee eight, you have got to be spending a ton of money keeping gas in that thing. Up here in Uxbridge gas prices are around 81 pence a liter, wow! For everyone not in England that equates to almost about $5.80 a gallon.

On another note, I just found out my truck has been built and will be ready for pickup when I return to the States in a couple of months.
 
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 02:57 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by Vee eight
"Hi", it's that V8 guy from England. I finally picked up my Lariat Screw yesterday and drove it back from Liverpool docks to Southampton, about 240 miles. I set the cruise at 60 mph and then kept an eye on the fuel economy it did 23.4 all the way home, no stops, brilliant i thought when 12 miles from home the dash, radio, heater, gear change console illumination went off. I've checked the fuses and are ok. Does anyone know what this might be or know of someone else i could get in contact with who may have had this problem ? I have no warranty with any dealer as i imported this truck myself.
Even though this has happened on the first day i am still smiling like a Cheshire cat, English expression. This truck is the best thing ever i love it. I went for a Lariat screw fully loaded with all the toys in wedgewood blue over beige, black leather captains and westin bull bar and side steps. I also had a fibrobeck tonneau painted to colour and a liner fitted. As you can imagine i'm well happy still, please help with the light problem if you can.
Regards to all 150 owners, V8
Hey, V8, welcome you bloke and give my regards to the Queen. You might want to limit use of the cruise control for the first 1,000 miles or so during your break in period. You should keep the speed varied. Good luck with your truck Mate!!!!
 
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 02:58 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by 04scab
The problem may be your instrument cluster dimmer (refer to your owners manual). It's located just to the right of your headlamp switch.
Very well could be. I've accidently hit that dern thing a couple times myself. Gave me a brief "spook"!!!!
 
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Old Jul 23, 2004 | 02:12 PM
  #7  
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Wink Instruments

Thanks for all the reply's but i sorted it myself. The fault was the dimmer switch, it's open circuit. I removed the light switch / dimmer switch assembly and smelled a burning. On inspection the switch is slightly burned i checked the current draw and it's only 1.2 amps for that circuit which is fine. I then bridged between the brown wire and the very end blue/orange and hey presto illumination. Going to the ford dealer to see if they have a new dimmer out of a focus or mondeo(contour) that'l do the job. The switch assy is made in Mexico.
I'l let you know how i get on : HAPPY TRUCKING IN AN F-150.
I don't care that i have to pay far too much for petrol i'm alive and still can drive the best thing that Fo.Mo.Co. produce. Have a good weekend, V8
 
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Old Oct 17, 2004 | 09:23 AM
  #8  
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How do you remove the light switch / dimmer switch? Does the trim just snap loose?
 
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Old Oct 17, 2004 | 10:19 AM
  #9  
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Instrument lights.

It's very easy to remoe the lighting switch from the dash. All you do is get a thin bladed screwdriver, gently wedge it in the small gap by the drivers door side of the dash and just tease it away, don't slip with the blade use a piece of thin material to protect the plastic edge. You'l find it comes out quite easy and you can be brutal with it. The two wiring plugs come off easily too by pushing the release tabs. When i refitted mine i put some grease on the clips to help it come out next time. If you need to take the switch apart then send me a further message. It's not possible to get any parts for the switch assy from Ford but a new one is $ 89.00 plus tax.
Happy trucking V8.
 
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Old Oct 17, 2004 | 04:07 PM
  #10  
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Lee F.
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Thanks - my switches are fine, I'm just toying with an idea to use the dome light power to turn on a relay for the power windows, so I can operate the windows whenever the doors are open or the dome light is on, without the key. I thought I might have to tie in at the switch, but I may connect at the fuse block. When I saw this thread I thought it was a good time to ask the question about the switch removal, just in case.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2004 | 12:06 PM
  #11  
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I'm way ahead of you with that idea i connected my electric windows up to my brake light circuit using a relay. It's great because you hav'nt got to search for the keys you can just push the brake pedal and lower the windows as normal. The brake lamp circuit is live all the time.
I use to own an Isuzu Trooper and the windows use to stay live for 90 seconds after the ignition was turned off. If you want any info let me know.
It's starting to get cold over here in Enland, luckily my Latiat has got heated seats and remote start so i can leave the heater on from the day before and fire it up before i go to work. It's a tough life.
V8.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2004 | 02:36 PM
  #12  
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1956MarkII
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Did anyone else note the irony here? The first problem our English friend had with his new truck was ELECTRICAL!! The ghost of Lucas is everywhere in jolly old England, even brand-new F-150s!
 
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Old Oct 18, 2004 | 06:57 PM
  #13  
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Vee Eight - I'd definitely like to know just how & where you made your connections. The brake light idea sounds interesting to me, though I still think maybe I'd prefer to have it work whenever the door is open. So far you are the only person I've found that gets the point of what I'm trying to do! I started looking at the fuse box to see if I could do it there, but so far I can't find a wiring diagram.
 
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