Just picked up a 2001 F-350 with Lariet trim pkg. The overhead trip computer is inoperative........okay, I'm dumber than a bag of hammers.......what do I look for to fix it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Probably not dead. Mine is slowly getting dimmer. With the running lights on at dusk, I cant see it. At night I can see it but not that well. I am curious if there is a fix for this too.

 

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Regular unit replacements are available on ebay....

 

Why not see if you can fix it, first?

A very common problem is the teeny-tiny "surface mount" resistors on the circuit board become slightly unsoldered. Apparently Ford's supplier was stingy with the solder and the connections become intermittant, then they just go open.

Look at the picture below and find the two little "hooks" that hold the aft part of the bezel in place. One is shown by the triangular arrow. There is another on the other side. Push the tan plastic hooks outward, while pulling down on the bezel. The front part is held in place by two springy tabs into some slots. Pull the whole thing down and out of your way. It will later snap back into place.

From there, remove the electrical connector (be sure to press in the lock release tab), then use a T-10 Torx driver (a trip to the auto parts store) to remove the three mounting screws to remove the circuit board.

Find a friend that is a ham radio operator or a good television repair shop (are there any still in existence?) and have them "touch up" the solder joints on these resistors. This soldering part of the job is VERY delicate, so have someone do it that is VERY familiar with surface mount devices and has the right tools to do it! This is NOT the place for a soldering gun!!!

Very likely, it will bring it all back alive.

Common problem, usually easily solved.

Pop

 

Thanks for the fast responses. I will certainly look at the fix before purchasing another one. I appreciate all the help!

 

Scott233 there are several of those little resistors so it is hard to find which one is causing the problem but you can find it if you leave it hook up and press in on them. Mine went bad and it drove me mad ( hate to have something not work ) good luck.

 

Great tip, Bandit! Press on each of them in turn, and one will likely make it all light up again.

Good thought!

Pop