Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: kylesburrell on August 08, 2018, 06:48:51 PM

Title: Dash lights turn off
Post by: kylesburrell on August 08, 2018, 06:48:51 PM
Hey,

Just today, whenever I hit the brakes the instrument cluster goes dark (full digital cluster). I can still read the values, but all the illumination is cut and the "rear light out" indicator turns on as well. Any ideas?

-Kyle
Title: Dash lights turn off
Post by: EricCoolCats on August 08, 2018, 08:22:50 PM
Voltage regulator...happened to me a few times. Ten to one, the contacts have disintegrated.
Title: Dash lights turn off
Post by: kylesburrell on August 08, 2018, 09:23:37 PM
Voltage regulator on the alternator? Cuz I have upgraded to a 3G alt. Also, while the cluster was acting up, the right turn signal was hyper-flashing, but the right turn signal flashed at normal pace.

And since i posted this, I unplugged the stop light switch, checked for power: All good. Disconnected the battery and reconnected battery. And all works good now.
Title: Dash lights turn off
Post by: EricCoolCats on August 08, 2018, 11:01:08 PM
Hrmmm...maybe ignition switch then? I read your sig and presumed you had the stock alternator.
Title: Dash lights turn off
Post by: kylesburrell on August 09, 2018, 11:48:52 AM
Ive replaced the ignition switch too, did that last year when I would start the car, but the starter would keep turning even when I turned the car off.

Today, the car seems to act normal. No dimming cluster when I hit the brakes. Will keep posted

-Kyle
Title: Dash lights turn off
Post by: kylesburrell on August 12, 2018, 05:38:00 PM
One other thing I noticed, when I hit the brakes the volt gauge drops from 5bars to 4 bars. And sometimes it does this too when I roll the windows up/down. And once the windowshiznit full up/down the volt gauge dips to 4 bars. So maybe erik is onto something with the voltage regulator. When i upgraded the Alt. I got a 3G kit from LMR, so maybe they use cheap volt regulators? That 3G alternator is almost 3 years old now...