No Odometer, Speedometer & Tachometer

E

Ed Hall

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I just bought a clean looking and always garaged 97 LSC Evergreen color with a claimed 66k on the odometer. The previous smog check showed 64k so 66k is probably pretty close. The biggest problem is the odometer, speedometer and tachometer don't work. The odometer is completely blank. The previous owner says they all went out the same time that the neon in the rear shorted out. The rear tail lights also quit as well. So the neon lights were disconnected and a new fuse was installed and the rear tail lights worked again but not the odometer, speedometer & tachometer. I should also add that I get no check engine light and the light control module was replaced.

I have not tried the cruise control but will try it out and report back.

Anything else I should check out? Any ideas on what the problem may be?

I'll also post some pictures soon.
 
Seem like there maybe a wire grounded out some where. Did you check all fuses. Check under by tranny. U have lights working. Never heard of the cluster go out in these cars. U take the cluster out
 
I'll check the VSS and the fuses. I should also add that the gas gauge and engine temperature works.

Here's a picture I took this morning still with dew on it and the front end kneeling.

P1080152.jpg
 
Never seen those wheels on a gen two. Looks like bad air bags. Now leaning more to tranny connection then. Nice color choose.
 
Update:

It looks like nothing on the dash is working. The gas gauge and temperature gauge is stuck at about 1/4 the way up. It also does not show what gear you're in. I also notice that the O/D button on the gear shift lever doesn't work. I don't know if that's interrelated.

However, I tested the cruise control and it works so the VCC must be good.

Also, I'm getting an error message that says Engine Temperature data error.

I'm going to go visit Autozone and borrow their code reader.
 
Update:

I'm also getting Gear display data error.

The only thing that works on the dashboard is the red battery light and oil pressure light that comes on if the engine is off and the key is on.
 
Hopefully u won't have to get a new cluster don't know if ford can transfer the odometer. I'd take the cluster out of the dash try and trace all the ignition wiring. Something grounded out for a fuse to blow. Did u get a lemon check on the car
 
the times i have seen a Gear display data error there was a problem with the
ECU or a wire problem
 
Update:

I drove the car this evening so I had to turn on the headlights. Once I turned on the headlights, I noticed that everything on the dashboard started working (odometer, speedometer, gear selector, etc). However, the the odometer still did not work. I also noticed that if I dimmed, the dashboard even just a little, all the needles would return to their resting position. Any ideas now or where I should start my diagnosis?
 
Ed Hall said:
Since no check engine light comes up, will I even get any codes?

What kind of code reader should I buy?
Click to expand...

Are you sure the CEL bulb is still intact?

I didn't see you mention it turned on when you turn the key on {which is should)

So the previous owner may have pulled the bulb...that would suck!
 
What did the owner tell u bout the car. Take out the instrument cluster
 
Ed Hall said:
I should also add that I get no check engine light.
Click to expand...


test the check engine light bulb...

Turn on the key, do not start the engine
Do you see the CEL light?

IF not.. the previous owner probably removed it.
 
XLRVIII said:
test the check engine light bulb...

Turn on the key, do not start the engine
Do you see the CEL light?

IF not.. the previous owner probably removed it.
Click to expand...

I have seen it done before.

It sucks but some will do anything to sell a car.
 
Go to your local autozone they'll check your cel for free
 
The check engine light bulb does light up with the ignition. I checked that before buying the car. So if the check engine light does not light up while driving the car, does that mean there are no codes?

I called up my local Autozone and they no longer loan out code readers.
 
This is semi related and may or may not help. I had my Pioneer Nav unit put in my wife's car. When I got it back I had no speedo, no odometer, no gear selector on dash and the tach was off The guy had accidentally grounded the VSS wire. For the neon I would have the ballast tested and if it is bad get a Glitch unit.
 
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