Instrument cluster failure
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Instrument cluster failure
Hi! New member and new Ford-owner 
But not everything is all sunshine, every instrument in the dash cluster is malfunctioning; voltmeter, oil pressure, water temp and fuel indicator. They are all showing way less than they should. Except the tank indicator which shows full untill 2-3 gallons is left and then drops to zero.
One tank is disconnected (taken out due to rust), can this affect the other gauges? Any ideas on what to check out first?
It's a 89 F-250 7.3 diesel XLT Lariat.
But not everything is all sunshine, every instrument in the dash cluster is malfunctioning; voltmeter, oil pressure, water temp and fuel indicator. They are all showing way less than they should. Except the tank indicator which shows full untill 2-3 gallons is left and then drops to zero.
One tank is disconnected (taken out due to rust), can this affect the other gauges? Any ideas on what to check out first?
It's a 89 F-250 7.3 diesel XLT Lariat.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
The disconnected tank sending unit should only affect the fuel gauge since it is only providing a variable resistance ground for that gauge. Could be the Instrument Voltage Regulator (IVR) is going bad or the main harness connection to the cluster is not tight or corroded. The IVR is mounted on to the back of the instrument cluster and provides a pulsed voltage to the gauges. Average voltage is 5 - 7 volts I believe. A bad IVR will affect the gauge readings both high and low.
John
John
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Thanks!
The IVR, is that the little print card bolted to the back of the instrument cluster on bottom left corner? Is it replaceable, or do I need to change the entire instrument cluster? And any tips for how to get the speedo cable off and on??
The IVR, is that the little print card bolted to the back of the instrument cluster on bottom left corner? Is it replaceable, or do I need to change the entire instrument cluster? And any tips for how to get the speedo cable off and on??
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
The IVR is replaceable. It just unplugs, I think the older ones unbolted. Your local parts store will have one.
To get the speedo cable off, reach around to where it plugs in, and you should feel(or possibly see) a little white plastic thing around the cable. Take your fingers and push this sideways toward the cable, and it should come unplugged.
That was good advice about cleaning things up too. While you are in there, unplug all the lights and the main plug, and take a pencil eraser and clean all the copper lands. Check all the bulbs for continuity too. Work them in and out of the sockets to clean the connection down in the socket to the bulb.
To get the speedo cable off, reach around to where it plugs in, and you should feel(or possibly see) a little white plastic thing around the cable. Take your fingers and push this sideways toward the cable, and it should come unplugged.
That was good advice about cleaning things up too. While you are in there, unplug all the lights and the main plug, and take a pencil eraser and clean all the copper lands. Check all the bulbs for continuity too. Work them in and out of the sockets to clean the connection down in the socket to the bulb.
Last edited by Franklin2; Sep 12, 2005 at 01:22 PM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Cleaned everything up and checked all connections; same error still.
But the IVR is insanely expensive here in Norway, and considering it would be cheaper to install a row of new autometer-gauges, which most certain will fix the problem, I need to make sure that I'm not wasting my money on a new IVR.
So, is there a way to verify that the IVR has gone bad, with a multimeter maybe?
But the IVR is insanely expensive here in Norway, and considering it would be cheaper to install a row of new autometer-gauges, which most certain will fix the problem, I need to make sure that I'm not wasting my money on a new IVR.
So, is there a way to verify that the IVR has gone bad, with a multimeter maybe?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
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
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
Check the voltage to the guages or on the pins coming out of the IVR. One of the pins should read 12 volts to ground, and the other pin should have a constant on-off voltage coming out of it, almost like a turnsignal type voltage.
P.S. Did you see the IVR on the back of the instrument cluster? Somewhere near your year they quit using the IVR system.
P.S. Did you see the IVR on the back of the instrument cluster? Somewhere near your year they quit using the IVR system.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
There was a small print-card with resistors and stuff that were bolted on to the circuit-board. It seemed to be connected to at least oil, water and volt. That little bugger cost more than 300 dollar.. That's more than the airbags I need to correct the sagging front springs..
I'll try to pull the instrument again tomorrow and try to get a reading. But I'm tempted to mount three gauges on the a-pillar instead. Can new senders be mounted in the old water temp and oil pressure holes? Anyone know what threadsize the holes are?
I'll try to pull the instrument again tomorrow and try to get a reading. But I'm tempted to mount three gauges on the a-pillar instead. Can new senders be mounted in the old water temp and oil pressure holes? Anyone know what threadsize the holes are?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
I am not sure, but I don't think that circuit board is the IVR(it doesn't look like the ones I am used to seeing).
The holes in the block for the sending units are just standard pipe thread. The guage sending units should come with enough adapters for it all to fit, but if they don't, you can go to the hardware store and get brass pipe fitting adapters to make it work.
The holes in the block for the sending units are just standard pipe thread. The guage sending units should come with enough adapters for it all to fit, but if they don't, you can go to the hardware store and get brass pipe fitting adapters to make it work.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
The part list just called it instrument module. At least that's a wee bit to much unceirtanty to spend several hundreds of dollars on. I'll just pull all the gauges and black out that part of the dash, and get new aftermarket gauges. They can anyway be used later in another car or project.
Appreciate the help!
Appreciate the help!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rchouser
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Aug 24, 2007 10:48 AM
Kevin
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
2
Jan 4, 2000 12:19 PM