I am completely stumped. I have a 98 Ranger XLT with 4 Wheel Drive and high miles (probably similar to most of us on here with older Fords). The other day my instrument cluster lights went out all the way across the dash (except for the radio lights). At the same time, the tail lights and marker lights up front went out, and the turn signals now flash the instrument cluster lights. This is a major problem for me. I had hoped that the lighting problem was related to my other problems with the dome light and windshield wipers so I replaced the GEM module. The new/used GEM module fixed my wiper and dome light/door buzzer issues but did nothing for my lighting issues.

In doing the do-dilligence of searching the site before posting a question that has been asked a hundred times I found out that there are a lot of people that have had the same symptoms that I'm having but no real answers for any of there problems.

Below are the links to the threads that others have posted with similar symptoms. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/429417-instrument-cluster-running-lights-out.html?highlight=Flashing+Dash+Lights

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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/427150-98-ranger-dash-lights.html?highlight=Flashing+Dash+Lights

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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/420939-electrical-question.html?highlight=Flashing+Dash+Lights

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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/232236-98-ranger-issues.html?highlight=Flashing+Dash+Lights

 

Finally I found in the repair manual that the fuse number I needed to check was actually in the power distribution box under the hood. Fuse number 11 was the culprit. Now I'll just have to wait till it blows again to see if I can trace it back from there, hopefully there isn't a bigger problem lurking somewhere.

 

The instrument cluster lights blinking with the turnsignals sounds like a grounding problem. Check along the frame rail all the way to the rear and around the rear bumper. Stuff can get caught under the truck and damage the wiring, or someone could have modified the wiring for a trailer, and now there is a problem with corrosion. Most of the other wiring related to these circuits is protected fairly well. The only other problem spot is around the brake and clutch pedals if the wiring gets caught in the linkage.