I have a 2000 Ford F150 xlt with the 4.2l v-6. My odometer was flashing on and off and finally just stopped working. Today I took the instrument cluster out to do the old soldering trick to get my odometer to work. When I put the cluster back in the gagues did not work. But more importantly MY TRUCK WOULD NOT START !!!!. It will turn over but not start. The abs, airbag lights, etc come , and I noticed that the anti-theft light does not flash. I hope this is not a PATS problem?.I checked the fuses and nothing was blown. Does anyone know what could be wrong? BOY DID I SCREW UP.. Any ideas or comments would greatly be appreciated.

If it is a pats problem how do you fix it?

Thanks,

brc

 

The cluster is part of PATS, so it may need to be reprogrammed or repaired. Not sure what your repair included.

 

Thanks for the reply. There are YouTube tutorials on how to fix your digital odometer on a 2000-2003. You have to remove the cluster and solder one piece on the circuit board. I did exactly that. I re-installed the cluster the odometer was still broke, the gauges didn't work, and the truck would turn over but not start.

If the instrument panel is part of the pats system what will it take to get my truck back running?

 

Since the cluster isn't working properly, no telling what is going to fix it. You can try sending the cluster in for repair. There are outfits that do that. May need to search online for a name. If it is beyond repair they will say so.

Another option may be a dealership, but I doubt if they do any repairs. They may be able to tell if it is salvageable or if reprogramming will resolve your situation. Call in advance and see if they think they can help you.

Last resort, find a cluster from a bone yard and get it reprogrammed for your vehicle at a dealership.

 

Thanks for the reply. Do you know what the steps are to get a cluster reprogrammed?

 

The dealer tech will grab the programming off Oasis and reprogram your cluster

 

Okay thanks for the reply 😊.

 

I sure would check all the fuses first and run a code scanner over the truck before hitting the dealer
You may be able to narrow it down and possibly fix it yourself

 

I checked all the fuses and the are good. I am going to run my scanner on the truck today.
today.

But if all of my attempts to fix the cluster fail could I get a salvage cluster and have it reprogrammed by the dealer then hypothetically that would allow my truck to crank up?

 

If you find a dealership that will program your old cluster, then that's the easiest way to get the truck running.

Forscan can perform some PATS functions but I have no experience with it. If you have never used Forscan you may struggle with the learning curve. But if you have the time and patience this may be an option.

https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17250
https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1500

 

The reason I was going to go with a salvage cluster is because I couldn't get my odometer to work. Not only that, when you turn the truck to the start position the gauges (for example the gas gauge) doesn't work.

 

I’m wondering if you tugged something loose on the harness plug while taking the cluster out?

I don’t know how much you had to struggle doing that, but it may be worth checking the plugs out. Not sure which side has gauge and PATS power, though. Maybe someone here has a schematic for that. I’d check both plugs, anyway.

 

Thanks so much. I will check the wiring harness. I did call my local Ford dealership and found out they do reprogram the cluster for $150.00. So, I ordered a salvage cluster that way everything on the cluster will work. Hopefully, this will work. But knowing my luck I will have to part the truck out.

 

Do you think I may have messed up the circuit board when I was soldering it? That seems to be the only reason I can come to. I checked all the fuses both in the cabin and in the engine bay, made sure I could hear the fuel pump cut on, and checked the wiring wiring harness.
When I plug the cluster back up the theft light does not blink anymore. I would appreciate any advice before I get it towed to the Ford Dealership next week.

Thanks,

brc

 

It's an electrical item, containing circuits. No one can tell you what is for certain. Either it works or it doesn't. In this case, it isn't working, at least it isn't working properly. No one here in internet world can tell you for certain what is going on with that cluster. We can only guess.

Why take a chance guessing about it only to have go wrong when you're out and about some day. You need to have it working dependably with zero doubts. Do whatever it takes to get to that point. If it were me I would either send it in for repair or get a different one.