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Is there an easy way to service the rear of the instrument panel? I need to check the cabling as my 91 F150 speedometer has become flacky, the temp and fuel gauges are not reading. My 16 yr old was trying to determine why the instrucment panel lights were not working without checking fuses and we ended up with the above noted reaults.
There is a test that you can do for the water temp. Find the gauge sending unit, it's sort of between the distributor and oil fill on a v-8 (not sure on the I6). Take the wire lead off, and ground it. See if the gauge pegs out, it should. If it doesn't, you'll have to look into a possible bad gauge/wiring. If it does, than the sending unit may be bad (probably not, but it might be).
You'll probably have to remove some of the trim pieces and screws to access the gauge panel. The gauge panel probably has 4 screws holding it in, and when you remove those screws you'd be able to pull the cluster and look behind it.
Any speedo problems are usually related to the plastic gears inside the transfer case or transmission (4wd/2wd). Follow the cable to the trans or tc, and there should be 1 bolt on it. Remove the bolt, and pull the cable out of the trans/tc, and inspect the gears for wear or damage.
Oh and dont forget to clean around the area of the speedo cable before you pull it out of the transmission or transfer case, you don't want dirt falling in the hole.