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  #1  
Old 12-15-2016, 12:59 PM
Texvetret Texvetret is offline
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Default Crazy speedo and tachometer

I replaced the bulbs and applied white gauge faces on my 2003 Edge 4.0. Now the speedometer and tachometer are inoperative. They both move erratically and stick in place when ignition is turned off. Truck runs fine and all gauges worked accurately when my "improvements" began. Any ideas?PS I just noticed the oil pressure is pegged all the way up.
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2003 Ranger Edge Ext. Cab. 4.0
Texas Ranger Edge EBay baby. Added Explorer(white) instrument panel,Tonnopro bed cover, Bushwacker side rails, Precision fit seat covers ,Bedrug Bilstein shocks and Wrangler tires.
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Old 12-15-2016, 02:23 PM
Kealel Kealel is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

3 questions.

1. How did you align the needles when you put them back on?

2. How tightly did you put them back on? (Are they touching the gauge faces?)

3. Did you align the faces correctly? Aftermarket ones are a little tricky to get perfect.
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The only reason it's worn out junk is because you've gone 70k miles without changing the oil.
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Old 12-15-2016, 09:01 PM
Texvetret Texvetret is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

I aligned the needles on the pegs, except the gas gauge. I filled up and placed the needle at the full position. I made sure the needles weren't on too tight and I was careful with the white gauge overlay.
The backlights on the panel are all lined up when illuminated.
I'm afraid this will turn out to be an electrical problem, a skillset where I do not shine. Thanks for your response. Texvetret
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2003 Ranger Edge Ext. Cab. 4.0
Texas Ranger Edge EBay baby. Added Explorer(white) instrument panel,Tonnopro bed cover, Bushwacker side rails, Precision fit seat covers ,Bedrug Bilstein shocks and Wrangler tires.
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Old 12-15-2016, 10:09 PM
Kealel Kealel is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

Aaannnndddd there is your problem.

You aligned your needles on the pegs. As in not driving or running the engine or anything.

Spoiler: those pegs are there for a reason. Remove them and the needle just keeps a spinning!

Let's go from left to right here.

The gas gauge: this does not have a peg. Because this gauge stays where it was last positioned. Putting the needle back exactly where it was will make this gauge correct again.

Temp gauge: refer to gas gauge as they work the same.

RPM: with needle removed the motor likes to spin a little lower. To realign you need to have the truck running and a reader of some sort that tells you the engine RPM (I use a Bluetooth OBD2 reader)

Speedo: motor is just like the tach, in how it likes to spin. You will need to drive at a constant speed (knowing what speed it is) and put the needle back on.

Oil pressure: again, like the last 2 it likes to spin. This is more like a 3 position switch. Too high is too high pressure, in the middle is normal operating pressure. Too low is low/no pressure. Hopefully your truck had good oil pressure and if so when running it goes pointing straight in the middle.

Battery: the only self aligning needle in your cluster. When the gauge is non powered, the needle is in the red zone.

Yes there are other (safer) ways to align the needles, but in order to do so you need to calibrate and check the gauges before hand or have a way to access the vehicle systems that I don't have access myself to.

Edit:

On the plus side, at least it's not electrical!
__________________
Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan03CO View Post
I knew you were an alright guy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ford4thot View Post
The only reason it's worn out junk is because you've gone 70k miles without changing the oil.

Last edited by Kealel; 12-15-2016 at 10:12 PM.
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Old 12-16-2016, 08:37 AM
Texvetret Texvetret is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

Thanks Kaliel for the explanation. Looks like I went to war without adequate training.
You've given me answers I've been looking for for days.
And thank God its not electrical, I wouldn't stand a chance.
__________________
2003 Ranger Edge Ext. Cab. 4.0
Texas Ranger Edge EBay baby. Added Explorer(white) instrument panel,Tonnopro bed cover, Bushwacker side rails, Precision fit seat covers ,Bedrug Bilstein shocks and Wrangler tires.
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  #6  
Old 12-16-2016, 09:06 AM
Kealel Kealel is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

You're welcome!

I tent to over prepare for every mod I do and with all the cluster work I've done, I know them more than I'd like to sometimes!

----------

After reading my (long) post, I realize I forgot 2 tips that may help.

Gas gauge: a common way to realign is to fill the tank completely and after running the truck for 30ish seconds put the needle pointing full.

Temp: hopefully you know where this needle pointed after running for a while. Some trucks may be dead middle while others may be a little higher or lower, and if you know where yours liked to point, after you get your engine warmed up you can place it how you see fit.
__________________
Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan03CO View Post
I knew you were an alright guy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ford4thot View Post
The only reason it's worn out junk is because you've gone 70k miles without changing the oil.
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2016, 12:48 PM
Texvetret Texvetret is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

Hey Kealei,
I followed your suggestions. You solved all my problems. Even got the speedo accurate with a scangauge. Now -- do you have any suggestions for my 78 year old stiff neck? I think I've been upside down under the dash too long. Thanks again. Texvetret
__________________
2003 Ranger Edge Ext. Cab. 4.0
Texas Ranger Edge EBay baby. Added Explorer(white) instrument panel,Tonnopro bed cover, Bushwacker side rails, Precision fit seat covers ,Bedrug Bilstein shocks and Wrangler tires.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-18-2016, 01:25 PM
Kealel Kealel is offline
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Default Re: Crazy speedo and tachometer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texvetret View Post
Hey Kealei,
I followed your suggestions. You solved all my problems. Even got the speedo accurate with a scangauge. Now -- do you have any suggestions for my 78 year old stiff neck? I think I've been upside down under the dash too long. Thanks again. Texvetret
Glad to hear it all worked out!

As for your neck, I've got nothing... my 20 year old neck is much more forgiving. 😆
__________________
Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan03CO View Post
I knew you were an alright guy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ford4thot View Post
The only reason it's worn out junk is because you've gone 70k miles without changing the oil.
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