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Old May 12, 2008 | 09:16 AM
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Gear Shift Indicator

I've browsed through the topics that cover this, but haven't seen a good description of the fix. 2004 Expedition, 4WD, 5.4L. About two weeks ago the indicator started coming up short when indicating park. The trans is definately in park though. Just over the weekend the indicator stopped moving past neutral when going back to park. It just stops somewhere between D and N. When you shift out of park, it will pick it up again and bring it to D,1 or 2. On the return it leaves it in the N/D area. Any ideas?
 
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Old May 12, 2008 | 01:15 PM
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It probably just needs to be lubricated. The cable gets pulled as you go from park towards low, but in the opposite direction it is a small spring that pulls it back. The cable is strong enough to overcome the sticking slider, but the spring is not.
 
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Old May 12, 2008 | 02:28 PM
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Lubricated where?
 
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Old May 12, 2008 | 06:46 PM
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The sliding pointer...easiest way to access it is to remove the instrument cluster. It is possible to get to it from under the dash and up around the steering column, but it's tight and you really have to know what you're feeling for in order to get at it that way.

Check out the larger picture down lower on this page:
eBay Motors: 03 EXPEDITION SPEEDOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 80K (item 320247852360 end time Jun-02-08 09:04:17 PDT)
That black wire looking thing going down is the cable that moves the shift indicator, lube it. Then see that wide rectangle below PRND21? That's the slider for the pointer. It pulls off the bottom of the cluster (after releasing some plastic clips), lube that as well. Put it all back together and it should move nice and smooth.
 
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Old May 12, 2008 | 08:41 PM
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Gear indicator

Same thing happened on my (* Expy. Look under the dash to see if you can find a small adjusting wheel to adjust the tension in the cable
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 07:14 AM
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Thanks for the help, I'll take a look as soon as I get a chance. Does the cluster come out peacefully or it is a convoluted series of 50 steps?
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:36 AM
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The worst part (on my 97) is removing the headlight switch, but I got pretty good at it.

Including removing the switch, a couple of pieces of trim, about 8 screws, and the 3 wire connectors to the cluster; I can have mine sitting in my hands in about 6 minutes flat.

(The screw heads are 9/32 & 5/16 or 7mm & 8mm.)
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:39 AM
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BTW, that adjuster wheel is for lining the pointer up on PRND21, it does not effect the tension.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 08:52 AM
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Thanks again for the help. I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 10:39 PM
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Gear shift indicator

The gear shift pointer is controlled by a cable. If the adjuster wheel cannot properly adjust the indicator, use a plastic cable tie to hold tension on the cable. ..worked for mine for the past several years.
 
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Old May 13, 2008 | 10:41 PM
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Gear indicator

No need to remove the instrument cluster, at least on a 98. Access it from under the dash
 
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Old May 14, 2008 | 07:19 AM
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I looked at it in traffic this morning, I think I'll go from underneath first. The trim bezel all the way around from the far left side to the radio has to come off. Looks like the headlight switch may be able to stay in place if I have to go that route, but the selector **** for 2WD / 4WD will have to come off. I'm guessing the hvac bezels stay with the trim piece.
 
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Old May 15, 2008 | 07:14 AM
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Impossible from below, at least for me. Anyone have the procedure for taking the cluster out?
 
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Old May 15, 2008 | 07:33 AM
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Try this. Expedition I'm not sure if it'll work for an 04 though.
 
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Old May 15, 2008 | 08:01 AM
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Thanks, I'll try to map it over to mine. Looks like fun.
 
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