Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Dash lights turn off (Read 1683 times) previous topic - next topic

Dash lights turn off

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
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Dash lights turn off

Reply #2 –
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.
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Dash lights turn off

Reply #4 –
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
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.

Dash lights turn off

Reply #5 –
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...
1986 Ford Thunderchicken, 5.0 AOD w/ Shift kit,  354,XXX miles. 1-Family owned. Original engine+trans.
8.8 Disc Rear w/ 3.73 Posi. CHE Control Arms. '04 Cobra brakes all around. 2000 Cobra R wheels. Tubular front LCA's. MM Steering Shaft. Unlocked Speedo, Lowering springs, Eibach sway bars front and rear. Ram air intake.