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Topic: 1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time (Read 2196 times) previous topic - next topic

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Any ideas on what could cause this/ how to fix?  My ODO is working.  Speedo cable is noisy.  I have a 1980 thunderbird w/ 5.0 (302) and aod.  Thank you...:bowdown:

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #1 –
hummm,, this is the generation 1 digital speedo.  didnt know they installed those on the box fox.
A user Lumpycheeseman (search for his threads) knows all there is to know about these.
i will check my diy link to see if i saved one of his posts about this.

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #2 –
does this thread illustrate your instrument cluster?  ~can be found in my diy link below , i called it the very rare digi cluster

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?21828-83-instrument-cluster&highlight=digital

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #3 –


Yup I think that is the same dash cluster.  Here's an older picture of mine

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #4 –
Here's one more picture (a bit clearer)

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #5 –
i dont think i have that shop manual,

ping "Chuckw" user via pm or he may see this and chime in.

edit your post #1 then go to advanced, then rename the thread with "1980 Bird" added to the beginning.
that will attract the right group of peoples attention.

I am certain there has to be a self test feature on these,, i may be wrong though.

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #6 –
Thank you jcassity!! - I changed title but don't seem to be able to find user Chuckw -

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #7 –
I did check my records and i am not lucky enough to have the 1980 tech info.


Chuck Warren,, is the member
he is a moderator to a few of the sub forums....


leme help you out here some more.. be right back.

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #8 –
go to the top of this page then find the "community" drop down button.
select "member list"
by alphabet, click on "C"

then hunt down "Chuck W"

Other good resources are:
Seek < this guy figures stuff out!!!
EricCoolcats< hes the man all things cougar
Thunderchicken< he pretty much knows everthing
Turboucoupe50<<  The Governing Authrity having juristiction on anything FoMoCo
Tom Renzo< will get so deep into subject matter that you certainly know now he was concieved at the foundary and born on the assembly line
Thefoeyouknow< this guy is a dealership guru elecronics wiz and can have access to MitchelOnDemand,, think thunderchicken does to.
Crazy88< can always count on him to find stuff on just about anything
,,,,gezz, i better stop because i really cant begin to narrow down the list but for sure, try to ping Chuck.

also,,, Trinom,, he seems to come up with good info and pull it right out of the air ,, surprises me sometimes with the neat stuff.


one special resource that may just come through for you is this guy "softtouch"~ now this person is a treasure of knowledge and has a lot of resources at his disposal.  Super smart and really does excellent troubleshooting.  He can "look" at a punch card and tell you what it says : )

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #9 –
Per the 1980 evtm if speed indicator stays on 188 replace electronic speed indicator module. I have a silver anniversary 80 so I have the shop manual and evtm. If you need any more info or diagrams I can scan them for you. I dont have a extra cluster for the 80 but I do have an extra for my 83 Heritage, not sure if they are the same or not

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #10 –
thats the same instruction in the EVTM for the eletronic speedo in the 87's, however
in the shop manuals, there is a diagnostic process by holding down certain buttons at once to enter this self test mode.

Is the EVTM all you have?

my local dealership may have the shop manuals,, not sure but will walk back there in the library and check tomorrow.

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #11 –
Per the 1980 Ford Shop Manual diag process.
For the following problems the speedo electronics is not serviceable and must be replaced to correct the problem
Display remains on 188 after turn on
or Displays number other than zero with vehicle stopped

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Dansbirds;403872
Per the 1980 evtm if speed indicator stays on 188 replace electronic speed indicator module. I have a silver anniversary 80 so I have the shop manual and evtm. If you need any more info or diagrams I can scan them for you. I dont have a extra cluster for the 80 but I do have an extra for my 83 Heritage, not sure if they are the same or not

The 83-84 and 80-82 clusters were almost identical internally, but the housing is different. I can tell you for a fact that the 80-82 speedometer module will work with the rest of the 83 cluster, but the alignment will be slightly off.

@Dansbirds- If Ckrivin doesn't want the 83 cluster, I'd be interested in purchasing it.
2002 Honda Civic EX

1984 Ford Thunderbird Elan
5.0 CFI, T5, Dual Exhaust

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #13 –
dragon ~ did you ever link up with lumpycheeseman? he was around here for a long while, do you recall tech data on this cluster.... this info is helpful because it does tell me that the 83 shop manuals might score more info.  Not questioning Dansbirds or anything, just that the EVTM alone tells us a lot less than the shop manuals.

If i had not dug into the shop manuals a few years ago, along with other guys, we may not have known the star wars cluster or the climate control actually had button controlled diagnotices built in.
just sayin...

i missed getting to the dealership today but im sure (fact) that they have a full complement of 82 & 83 shop manuals

1980 bird digital speedo reads 188 all the time

Reply #14 –
I have the Ford shop manual for the 80 along with the EVTM, they both come to the same conclusion. I also have the Ford shop manuals and EVTM for the 83 which comes to the same repair for the original posters condition