Hey all,

I've taken my truck, 2007 F350 6.0 37k miles, in to the dealer for a stuck speedometer twice now to no avail, and once again, I'm back in no man's land. The first time around they told me it was a mismatched VIN in the ABS module, speedo was operational when I picked it up after a $100 bill(these parts are just out of warranty by the way).

Okay, not that big of a deal, but when I fired her up on the way home from work, sure enough it stuck again. So I took it in a second time, no charges racked up because they didn't fix it the first time. It was stuck when I took it in, but after it reset, they couldn't replicate the problem again to recommend replacement of the instrument cluster and can find no other issues with the truck. Picked it up from them and the speedo worked just fine for a whole day until tonight, stuck again at 60 MPH! The sticking usually occurs when it's colder out, maybe at or below 60F. I just ordered the new Edge Insight CTS monitor, should be here probably next week. Here are my questions:

1. Is it even worth taking it in a third time? They stated to bring it back right away if it occurred again

2. I have custom tunes from IDP installed, is there any repercussion to restoring the stock file every other week? This would be a big concern for me as I don't want to do any undue harm to the big girl

3. I know the labor will be the pain in my wallet, so techs help me out here, how much would a new cluster cost and how difficult will it be to install myself?

4. Should I even care period since I will be getting the Edge Insight CTS soon and, if all else is as well as they say it is, should I just monitor MPH through the Insight? Rear diff speed sensor checked out just fine according to them

Sorry for the huge post and numerous questions, I'm just at a loss as to how I should proceed for a third time ! Like I mentioned above, I really am uneasy with switching between the IDP tunes and the stock file every other week. Thanks for all the replies in advance, this is a great board!

 

There isn't a problem reflashing your truck every day if you need to. The flash memory can be flashed well over 100,000 times with no problems. I'm not sure of the cost of a new cluster, but they aren't really that hard to remove and install. I'm just not sure if it has to be programmed when it's installed in order to work properly. IIRC there was a TSB for the gauge cluster on some trucks at one point in time, but I'm not sure for what. Maybe you should inquire at the dealership about it.

 

I agree with all of this. There was a cluster TSB, and my own truck has stuck a couple of times. After it sticks it might take a dozen or so drive cycles for it to correct itself. Each of the two times it has happened I was on lengthy vacations, and by the time I got home it had corrected itself. Each of these times was also in cold weather.

The replacement cluster has to be programmed by the dealer. I think they transfer your mileage and hours, but I'm not sure. I am sure it has to be programmed.

I keep hoping mine will eff up while I still have warranty and am near a home dealer. Hasn't happened yet.

Incidentally, either a navigation GPS or an Edge Insight will give you an operational speedo while the dash unit is fubar.

 

I recall reading some time ago that the module in the differential can malfunction if the sensor "fouls" with particles. This would only happen if the differential fluid was getting dirty or if particles (like iron) were being generated. It might be worthwhile for you to pull the sensor and see what it looks like.

The only other speedo reference I recall is related to the instrument cluster.

 

The cluster will need to be replaced. Mine had the exact same issues as the original poster and a new cluster was the only fix. The dealer had it twice trying flashes and finally replaced it for the final fix.

 

The only problem with talking the programer out all the time is you only get 5 unlocks and you would run out of them pretty quick that way.

 

Here you go TSB 07-11-2

 

That's only when you change vehicles, not when you reload the tunes. You can change the tunes as many times as you want to without unlocking the programmer. You can put as many different tunes as you want on the programmer (within it's capacity) and not unlock it, but if you have your vehicle reflashed OR change vehicles, then you have to unlock your X2 (I believe the X3 does it automatically) because the X2 will put your OLD PCM flash back in if you don't unlock it. That's not necessarily a bad thing if you just want the FICM flashed and you don't want to have to get new tunes.

 

Right but I thought he was talking about changing it back to stock. Dosent this count as a unlock?

 

Going back to stock doesn't count as an unlock.

 

basicly to replace the cluster is a trim panalk that pops off and 4 7mm bolts.
the cluster has tp be programed to the truck.
also when we order a cluster we have to order it with the milage, we cant change it for you.

 

Thanks fellas for all your replies. I think it's safe to assume it is the cluster that has gone bad and from the sounds of it, replacing it on my own is not an option due to necessary programming from the dealer. The TSB posted by Maximum4X4 spelled out all the of steps the dealer took and that were relayed back to me each time I picked up the old girl.

I hope I didn't mistype about my concerns of swapping between the stock file and the custom tune from IDP. I was curious if the actual components of the truck would be affected in any way by the constant swapping. I know the computers in all trucks nowadays "learn" our driving habits when something new is introduced or when something is reset. Am I sending my truck to school on the "short bus" with all the swapping?