Cluster problem....gen 2 owners

[PHATCAT67]

Ok, I got one... I don't want to have to replace the damn thing but I may have no choice....

The temp gauge and fuel gauges are reading way off! The temp reads 1/4 all the time and when you shut the car off it drops well below the lowest line... And the fuel gauge is vice versa... Off is at 1/4 tank!

The sender in the tank is good since it still counts down to zero like normal on the display, but the needles are off. Can I reset them somehow By just moving the needles with engine off? or am I now buying a cluster?

 

[LS4me]

Ok, I got one... I don't want to have to replace the damn thing but I may have no choice....

The temp gauge and fuel gauges are reading way off! The temp reads 1/4 all the time and when you shut the car off it drops well below the lowest line... And the fuel gauge is vice versa... Off is at 1/4 tank!

The sender in the tank is good since it still counts down to zero like normal on the display, but the needles are off. Can I reset them somehow By just moving the needles with engine off? or am I now buying a cluster?

At least the fuel gauge is normal. When I shut off the car the needle drops to "E" then "bounces" up to ~1/8th. I had the dealer look at it (when I was under warranty) and they found nothing wrong. When running the needle WILL show empty; if you run it that low. I did as I didn't really believe the dealer.

As long as it reads correctly when running what difference does it make?

 

[PHATCAT67]

It doesn't read correctly, at 1/4 tank, its really empty.... That's the issue, at full. It's off the scale.

 

[joegr]

It doesn't read correctly, at 1/4 tank, its really empty.... That's the issue, at full. It's off the scale.

There are two fuel level senders, actually. Anyway, I agree with your diagnosis about the cluster. Did someone put in overlays in the near past?

 

[PHATCAT67]

Unknown....So it has to be replaced then? Crap! And then, do I have to take the car to Lincoln to program it? Or can I just swap another in? I have one from an 05 with similar mileage....I thought I would have a no start condition if I swapped it so it is sitting... I want to be sure... Lol

 

[joegr]

If you swap clusters, you have to put the PATS module (in the cluster) into security mode and get it to swap secret codes with the PCM, and then you have to program your car keys into it. Some scan tools can do this, but most people have to get a dealer to do it.
Until this is done, it won't start.

 

[PHATCAT67]

Got a cluster from an 05, but the part numbers do not match... Ford tells me that is was used after 8/04, and may not work... I thought all 03-06 v8 clusters were identical?