Hello,
My aerostar is the one with digital instrument panel. since a few day, i couldn't see any indications. I think there is somethink like a backlight who enable to see the speed nad fuel and rpm indications. I've not see any fuse broken.

Could it be some backlight lamp dead, and if so, how I could change them, or do you think it is another problem ?

Thanks for the help

Phil

 

It sounds like the cable has fallen off, can you access any of the displays?

 

Sorry, I'm from France, so my english is not very fluant.. What you mean by access any of the display ? I could say that the displays are working, as when I light them with a lamp, I could see the indications (speed of the motor, fuel level and so on).

 

Ok, yes, the bulbs inside are burned out. The best fix is to replace them with LEDs, since its not a lot of fun to pull the dash out, might as well guarantee you will never have to do it again.

 

Oh thanks.
Could you give to me some indication for removing the dash ?

Thanks

Phil

 

check fuse 13 5a for 12v feed to digi display backlighting, dedicated feed to backlighting only
light brown/red wire to pin 13 on digi dash instrument cluster

the digi. dash backlighting is electronic vacuum fluorescent displays powered by a non-serviceable internal power supply

click for digi. dash removal

1/2 way down page


_________________________________________

from Ford Svc cd
Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.

2. Remove cluster opening finish panel. Refer to «Section 01-12».

3. Remove the transmission indicator cable loop from the ball stud on the shift lever.

4. Remove the thumbwheel bracket screw and detach bracket from steering column.

5. Remove four cluster mounting screws.

6. Remove trip computer wiring connector from the front of the cluster.

7. Pull top of cluster toward steering wheel.

8. Reaching behind the cluster, unplug the three connectors.

9. Swing bottom of cluster out and remove.

digi. dash backlighting descrp.

The electronic cluster is operational only when the ignition is in the RUN position. The electronic vacuum fluorescent displays are powered by a non-serviceable internal power supply (illumination bulbs are not used). When the headlamps are turned on, the cluster will dim according to the rheostat position (except warnings which will not dim). The cluster communicates warnings and acknowledges commands through tones which are sounded through a connection to a remote tone generator.

Each time the ignition is first turned from OFF to RUN position, the electronic displays of the two electronic modules will go through a prove out by momentarily lighting all of the display segments and then momentarily turning all display segments off. It is normal for the two displays to be slightly out of sync with each other. After the prove out the modules return to normal operation.

 

Thanks for the informations.
I've check the fuse 13 and it is OK.

Before I try to dismount the digi dash, I would like to have more informations if possible:

1 - the failure of the backlighting has occured in two times : first I become to have no backlight on the tachometer side , then, ( weeks after, on the speedometer side.
Do this help to a diagnostic ?

2 - If it is not a problem on the cable, what part I need to change ? power module? digi-dash ?
Do these piece could be find ?

Thanks for your amswer

Phil

 

Phil, if you have an early dash (1986-1991), you can replace the lamps without removing the cluster -- just remove the top cover. A couple of the lamps are a bit difficult to touch, but it can be done.



The four blue lamps are the backlight lamps.The early cluster with the digital dash uses special lamps (Xenon or Halogen, I can't recall which). Pretty sure on my '89 with digital dash, the plastic lamp bases were blue, which is one of the special ones. You may use std 194 lamps, but they don't last as long.

There are four main lamps in the early digital dash. You can drive a long time with only a single lamp working and not really notice that the others are out.

If you have the late cluster, it's a lot more work.

 

Thanks a lot for this help.
my aerostar is a 1991 one, so I think it's the same as your show. And this explain the fact that I've no backlighting in two sequence.

Do you have an idea where I could find these lamp ?

 

The standard lamps (not used for this cluster) are probably a PC194, and look like this:



The blue base is Ford's own coloring for their special lamp, and I've always bought them from the dealer.

You can install the std grey-base PC194 lamps from any parts store. They fit (if I am remembering the number correctly) and work. And they are a lot cheaper than the blue base ones.