Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: FirstBird on June 20, 2011, 11:09:41 PM

Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: FirstBird on June 20, 2011, 11:09:41 PM
So my cluster will not show the digits neither the speed nor the mileage. Everything else lights up the clock, radio, a/c controls, etc. Theres a backlight for the Lcd that light up but no numbers. Ive checked all my fuses that are linked with the instrument cluster. Anyone have a clue what could be going on?
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: daminc on June 20, 2011, 11:18:47 PM
You probably need new bulbs behind the speedo section....
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: FirstBird on June 20, 2011, 11:43:08 PM
I just pulled it and the bulbs are fine :/
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: dustytheredneck on June 21, 2011, 01:41:05 PM
If I'm thinking what's happening, the connector on the back of the cluster may have some corrosion or be loose.... my '85 cougar I had, closer to 200,000 mi my display would disapear and come back on due to bumps but the light stayed on....... it happened after I had the cluster out and changed the bulbs
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: Dansbirds on June 21, 2011, 02:08:01 PM
Have you had the radio out by any chance? My 87 I had did that once and when I replaced the py radio someone put in it it pinched a wire and caused it.
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: FirstBird on June 24, 2011, 04:15:18 PM
Yeah i did replace the radio, I took the dash apart and check the connectors and the plugs and they look good. Are there any wires that run from the radio that can cause this?
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: Dansbirds on June 24, 2011, 08:26:31 PM
Pull your radio back out, you can leave it plugged in, and then check if you have your speed and mileage back. Read this also    http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/dash.html  read the fourth cause/correction
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: FirstBird on June 24, 2011, 10:43:27 PM
I have it pulled out right now and the ligh blue w/ red wire is not connected anywhere and as it says on coolcats that the lightgreen w/ yellow is the power because it doesnt work if thats not connected :/ at this point im thinking would it be easier to put in an buttstuffog cluster?
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: Dansbirds on June 25, 2011, 06:40:22 AM
I dont believe that a buttstuffog cluster is a plug and play swap, so you might want to see if anyone else has done it first. Did it make any difference in your speedo display with the radio pulled forward? I am not certain what year on coolcats is speaking of so I suppose its possible wiring harness's changed from year to year. I believe at one time there was a link on this site for a EVTM for a 87/88 Bird you could search that for the harness, I believe it was put up by jcassity. I know there are others on here with EVTM's that have posted up diagrams for stuff I have needed before. Are you saying the lite blue with red isnt connected or doesnt exist?
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: daminc on June 25, 2011, 08:07:28 AM
pretty sure you need to re-pin the harness and install all diff sensors for the gauges to work with the swap.... probably easier to fix your problem, then go through all that..... unless you really want that look of course
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: vinnietbird on June 25, 2011, 05:48:07 PM
I wish I had the full digi gauges instead of the buttstuffog.
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: FirstBird on June 25, 2011, 09:01:59 PM
Yeah i wish i had the full digital cluster too, but i have the base one :/ Ill try figuring something out.
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: Dougy_Fresh on July 03, 2011, 10:30:26 AM
Definately have to repin the plugs. I just did it, also because everything worked but the speedometer/odometer. They STILL dont work.... I dont know whats going on!
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: V10KLZZ71S on January 26, 2012, 08:58:54 PM
What do I have to do to adapt my digital speedometer to a c-6 trans? Is this possible?
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: daminc on January 26, 2012, 10:01:03 PM
I have a full digi cluster to put in, but I wish there was a way to re-set the odometer to show my mileage
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: daminc on January 26, 2012, 10:05:56 PM
Quote from: V10KLZZ71S;378960
What do I have to do to adapt my digital speedometer to a c-6 trans? Is this possible?

the one that was in my parts bird was connected... just needs the right speedo sensor , if it has that type of setup.. if not, I don't think you can
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: Chrome on January 26, 2012, 10:26:09 PM
Try to ohm out the printed circuit on the back of the cluster. At this age the plastic gets brittle, and the copper tends to corrode. Good recipe for an open.
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: Chrome on January 26, 2012, 10:55:11 PM
On second thought, mine done the same thing. Try giving the gauge face a good thump. Mine came back to normal function. This, of course, will not be a fix. It might give you some gauge readings for a while.
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: FirstBird on January 26, 2012, 11:54:22 PM
I just went out and got a turbocoupe cluster everything works but the tach and oil sensor. I smacked that cluster around too while it was in the car. it didn't come on pretty much every gauge on the digital cluster went out.
Title: Problem with instrument cluster
Post by: XR7 on February 21, 2012, 11:24:13 PM
buttstuffog to digital is not a direct swap as daminc stated, it will cook. get a cheap volt meter and find where you're not getting voltage. If you need the schematics I can post them.