Instrument Panel Blackout
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Rolla, MO
Instrument Panel Blackout
I need your help guys. My instrument panel lights went out completely on the way to work the other morning. The only lights working in the dash are the clock, and the mileage. I have checked the fuses under the dash and can not find any blown. I have an 03 CC, is there anymore fuses under the hood? I did not see any.
I believe this problem stems from my auto-start. When I start the truck with the auto-start the instrument panel and everything else is lit. Once I disengage the auto-start the lights go out like they should but when I turn my parking lights/headlights on the instrument panel does not light up.
Any of you electrical guroos have any ideas? I could really use your help on this one. It sucks driving to work in the morning when it's pitch black and can't see your gauges! It's probably something simple, but I can't figure it out.
I believe this problem stems from my auto-start. When I start the truck with the auto-start the instrument panel and everything else is lit. Once I disengage the auto-start the lights go out like they should but when I turn my parking lights/headlights on the instrument panel does not light up.
Any of you electrical guroos have any ideas? I could really use your help on this one. It sucks driving to work in the morning when it's pitch black and can't see your gauges! It's probably something simple, but I can't figure it out.
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Dash Lights
Did You Ever Find What Was The Problem With Your Dash Light? I Purchased An 03 F-250 W/ V-10 About 3 Weeks Ago And Started Experiencing The Same Proble A Couple Of Days Ago. Dash Lights, Fog Lights And Radio Lights Are Out. Replaced A 15 Amp Fuse Yesterday, Do Not Know #fuse, And Lights Came Back On. On The Way Home From Work Today Lights Went Out Again. Any Help Would Be Greatly Appreciated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 38
Ranchero64
My first car was a 65 Ranchero
Try a PM or Email to THEDON117 I checked his posts and his last post was back in August so I kind of doubt he will see you question here....
As to your problem...do you have any aftermarket gadgets hacked into the electrical system like a stereo amp or alarm or remote start system? If so that may be where the problem is... also you need to locate all the electrical grounds you can find, remove the screw or bolt and clean up any rust or corrosion... don't forget to just remove and clean BOTH battery terminals.... I find more often then not that a corroded ground usually causes this type of grief... you might also pull the dash cluster and remove and reinsert each electrical connector...same behind the master fuse panel... ON the back side are 4 or 5 connectors...perhaps one of them never seated fully and locked and over time has wiggled loose.... check the grounds first...hint it is easier.... removing the dash or the master fuse panel is a pain... Unlike THEDON...please report back when you find the fix for your problem...
My first car was a 65 Ranchero
Try a PM or Email to THEDON117 I checked his posts and his last post was back in August so I kind of doubt he will see you question here....
As to your problem...do you have any aftermarket gadgets hacked into the electrical system like a stereo amp or alarm or remote start system? If so that may be where the problem is... also you need to locate all the electrical grounds you can find, remove the screw or bolt and clean up any rust or corrosion... don't forget to just remove and clean BOTH battery terminals.... I find more often then not that a corroded ground usually causes this type of grief... you might also pull the dash cluster and remove and reinsert each electrical connector...same behind the master fuse panel... ON the back side are 4 or 5 connectors...perhaps one of them never seated fully and locked and over time has wiggled loose.... check the grounds first...hint it is easier.... removing the dash or the master fuse panel is a pain... Unlike THEDON...please report back when you find the fix for your problem...
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Dash Lights
I don't have any of these items but I did notice after fiddling around that whomever owned this before may have had an amp and speakers installed. I found a red wire tapped directly into one of the mini fuses but not the fuse that is blowing. Although, these wires have been here since I bought this truck 3 weeks ago and the problems just started this past week.
I did install a brake control for my trailer using the factory quick connect and hard wired my satelite radio to a power point near radio. The brake control and satelite radio are still working though, which leads me to believe they are not the culprits.
Anyway, more ideas on problem would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, I still have the 64 Ranchero. 3 spd, v8 260, black cherry. I have had it for over 20 years and my dad had it before me. Do you still have yours.
I did install a brake control for my trailer using the factory quick connect and hard wired my satelite radio to a power point near radio. The brake control and satelite radio are still working though, which leads me to believe they are not the culprits.
Anyway, more ideas on problem would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, I still have the 64 Ranchero. 3 spd, v8 260, black cherry. I have had it for over 20 years and my dad had it before me. Do you still have yours.
Originally Posted by Fredvon4
Ranchero64
My first car was a 65 Ranchero
Try a PM or Email to THEDON117 I checked his posts and his last post was back in August so I kind of doubt he will see you question here....
As to your problem...do you have any aftermarket gadgets hacked into the electrical system like a stereo amp or alarm or remote start system? If so that may be where the problem is... also you need to locate all the electrical grounds you can find, remove the screw or bolt and clean up any rust or corrosion... don't forget to just remove and clean BOTH battery terminals.... I find more often then not that a corroded ground usually causes this type of grief... you might also pull the dash cluster and remove and reinsert each electrical connector...same behind the master fuse panel... ON the back side are 4 or 5 connectors...perhaps one of them never seated fully and locked and over time has wiggled loose.... check the grounds first...hint it is easier.... removing the dash or the master fuse panel is a pain... Unlike THEDON...please report back when you find the fix for your problem...
My first car was a 65 Ranchero
Try a PM or Email to THEDON117 I checked his posts and his last post was back in August so I kind of doubt he will see you question here....
As to your problem...do you have any aftermarket gadgets hacked into the electrical system like a stereo amp or alarm or remote start system? If so that may be where the problem is... also you need to locate all the electrical grounds you can find, remove the screw or bolt and clean up any rust or corrosion... don't forget to just remove and clean BOTH battery terminals.... I find more often then not that a corroded ground usually causes this type of grief... you might also pull the dash cluster and remove and reinsert each electrical connector...same behind the master fuse panel... ON the back side are 4 or 5 connectors...perhaps one of them never seated fully and locked and over time has wiggled loose.... check the grounds first...hint it is easier.... removing the dash or the master fuse panel is a pain... Unlike THEDON...please report back when you find the fix for your problem...
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 38
Completely off topic re the Ranchero
no---- made a big mistake years ago as a young married with child soldier and traded it in against a Ford F250 4x4 truck
Factory 289HP (4bbl carb), Bucket seats, Borg Warner T10 4 speed, factory 4.10:1, Leather interior... original color was red...including the leather---I tore her all the way to bare frame in 1973 and did a total refurb of every system, heated up the motor internals significantly, redid the trany to have the Super T10 larger main-shaft and back cut shift dogs.... the entire body was chemically stripped and repainted a Chevy Vet color "Targa Blue" a real deep and dark metallic blue... she was a very good looking and excellent hot rod...
Every time I see a blue 64,65,66 Falcon Ranchero I get bad pangs of nostalgia.... perhaps some day I will find a clean well kept 65 and relive my teen years of first car fun.... ain't fantasies a trip?
no---- made a big mistake years ago as a young married with child soldier and traded it in against a Ford F250 4x4 truck
Factory 289HP (4bbl carb), Bucket seats, Borg Warner T10 4 speed, factory 4.10:1, Leather interior... original color was red...including the leather---I tore her all the way to bare frame in 1973 and did a total refurb of every system, heated up the motor internals significantly, redid the trany to have the Super T10 larger main-shaft and back cut shift dogs.... the entire body was chemically stripped and repainted a Chevy Vet color "Targa Blue" a real deep and dark metallic blue... she was a very good looking and excellent hot rod...
Every time I see a blue 64,65,66 Falcon Ranchero I get bad pangs of nostalgia.... perhaps some day I will find a clean well kept 65 and relive my teen years of first car fun.... ain't fantasies a trip?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Man, I feel for you. It sounds like you put alot of work into that beauty than I have in mine. I would love to convert mine to rack and pinion steering due to alot of slop in my gear box. I would also love to find me a Ranchwagon so I could have 2 Ford's of relatively the same year for my 2 twin boys.
Tell you what I did with my V-10 this past weekend. I had a hunch that it could be the auto headlight switch or the cruise control. Well, I drove plenty of miles this weekend in my moonwalk rental business and never blew a fuse. I am going to still watch and hopefully if I'm lucky either it will not happen ever again or I will stumble across the problem.
Tell you what I did with my V-10 this past weekend. I had a hunch that it could be the auto headlight switch or the cruise control. Well, I drove plenty of miles this weekend in my moonwalk rental business and never blew a fuse. I am going to still watch and hopefully if I'm lucky either it will not happen ever again or I will stumble across the problem.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AlaskaJeff
Audio & Video Systems, Navigation, Satellite Radio & Mobile Electronics
5
Jan 1, 2010 07:39 AM