Have a 2003 Ex, 6.0L PSD, 51K on the clock, darn near zero problems until today. Got back in it from lunch and none of the instrument cluster works. Didn't worry too much about it because I figured it was a freak thing and would be ok once I shut it off and restarted. No luck.

Bottom line- None of the instrument cluster works- No Speedo, Tach, Fuel, Oil Pressure, etc... Also, I have no radio, power windows, key warning chime

Lights, brake lights, and turn signals work.

I pulled the fuse panel and first made sure none of the fuses were loose. Next I pulled the fuses for each of the affected areas. Each fuse is good. Next, I unhooked the batteries for ten minutes or so to try and reset the computer. Nothing.

So, now I am not sure what to do next. I am hoping someone has had a similar problem or is at least smarter than me and can help me troubleshoot.

I am going to go through the fuses again, but is seems odd to me so many areas that are on different fuses are out. I did nothing out of the ordinary with the truck, especially related to the electrical system.

I welcome any ideas to help me before I have to take it to the dealer.

WigWag

 

I have same truck, 49.8K miles. Sorry, no help. Have not had this problem. Sounds like a bad/broken ground. Seems like there was some sort of recall on a ground strap from engine to chassis. I had this done to mine, but I can't remember any details about the purported problem or the fix. What I do remember is that there was some sort of wire/cable on the top of the engine.

 

WigWag,

I sorta got the same problem.... 2000 X V10 with 56,000 miles.....

I've lost all use of the 4 guages on the left, (oil, gas, battery, water temp)

I've taken all the steps you have plus pulled my console off and tried resetting all the plugs into the console unit, this worked for about 2 minutes, until I restarted the truck.

I've pretty much given up...

Funny thing is, This problem started last year when the weather started to cool off. As soon as the air temps hit about 85, the guages seem to just work. Hasen't warmed up enough yet to see if they work again...

Right now, I'm too cheap to take if back to Ford....

Hopefully somebody can help us out....

Big Mick

 

Big Mick,

I finally got it to work. After pulling all the fuses one by one, even the ones that had nothing to do with the affected systems, I started pulling the relays out. I wish I had the owner's manual in front of me to tell you which one it was I pulled and what circuit it controls. However, it was the tan/beige-ish one on the right side of the fuse panel. It is to the right of the 5 or so 1" x 1" relays that control the blower motors and others and stands out because it is different than all the others.

I have no idea why it "worked". I pulled it out, set it in and the interior lights came on. Put the key in and the chime came on. Turned the key and the gauges all went all the way to the right and reset to zero. Started the truck and they worked. Has worked for a day now with no issues. Anyway, I hope my less than scientific troubleshooting procedure helps.

WigWAg

 

I'm going outside to try it right now....

Hold tight...

Big Mick

 

WigWag,

It worked, I got my Battery and Oil Pressure back.. Still no fuel or water temp, I'll try again when it light out....

Thanks
alot


You saved me a trip to the Stealer... Wait, I mean Dealer....


Thanks again

Big Mick

 

I am having an issue with fuse #45 blowing. I powers the guages and the accellerator. Mine is an 02 Excursion, 7.3 L. The accelerator was replaced under a recall, but this has happened since. IT has blown 3 times now. The manual says #45 is the ignition start/run feed, but the engine starts and runs fine, just no gauges and you can't accelerate. The dealer replaced the accelerator again after it happened the first time, but it has happened twice more.
HELP!!!

 

My gauges went out again, but came back on halfway home when I was driving. Very frustrating because I am not sure what exactly it is. If it happens again, I may rent a code reader.

When it happened today, I reached down and pulled the relays like worked before. I noticed several of them were a little hot, not to hot to grab and hold, but close. Not sure if that is normal, but my guess is no.

Electrical gremlins are such a pain...

WigWag

 

What fuse are you pulling from inside the cabin...

Big Mick

 

Well, I guess I'll be the first one... I'll be taking my truck into ford next week to have it looked at... I've pulled every fuse and relay one at a time and tried starting the truck etc. with no luck. The oil temp and battery worked for a litttle while but it's back to nothing now....

THis sucks!

Big Mick

 

I pulled relay #211. BUT, my gauges are still going out. As a matter of fact, it went out on my way home less than 1/4 mile from my house. And my windows are all the way down with no way to roll them up, UNLESS the God's smile on me. I agree, this sucks.

Please let me know what the dealer says. I at least want to know what I am asking my dealer to look for. Sure wish someone else here had an idea of where else to look. I would like to believe it is a grounding problem, but on a vehicle this new, I am not even sure where to start looking. So, I will do the obvious first...


WigWag

 

IT sounds like there is a bad fuse in the #6 spot (in my windstar it's got a holder that it goes into). It controls the radio, part of the dash panel and something else I forget now.... I blew it installin my amp.

 

I found my problem, fuse #35. It is one of two 10A instrument cluster fuses (#41 being the other). As soon as I pulled on it, I heard clicking in the dash and saw my interior lights come on. When I pulled the fuse all of the way out, it looks good. But I am going to replace it anyway.

The crazy thing is I pulled all of the doggone things and reseated them on Friday. I hope this helps...

WigWag

 

It sounds like a similar problem to mine, except my fuse does blow. I even put a 15 amp in once even though it was supposed to be a 10. 2 wks later it blew again. I now put a resettable circuit breaker in the place of the fuse until I can find the problem. On my excursion it is # 45, I am going to order a wiring diagram and see what all this circuit feeds.

 

I've got 3 instrument cluster fuses, 2, 19 and 29..... 2 5amps and 1 10amp


Big Mick