inxtrument cluster problems

2004x4x4 · #1 08-24-2009, 04:37 PM

hey all, im new to this site as well as to my ranger. needless to say, I LOVE IT! haha. i have an 04 4x4 with the 4.0l v6 and auto tranny. so far, its been a great trcuk, only have had it maybe a month or two though.

so here's whats going on and it has me annoyed and worried all the same time. The instrument cluster doesnt work. no speedo, no gas gauge, no water temp and no tach. only idiot light that works is the security light that flashes when the car is turned off.

its started intermittenly, just randomly would cut out but would come back on right away, and only would do it when i would first fire up the car. now it cuts out all the time and its rare when it does work.

i was thinking maybe a short or something, but havent checked yet, was seeing if i could get any ideas before i ripped apart the dash getting to the thing later this week/weekend. any help would be muchly appreciated!

(also, i apalogize for typos or bad grammer, im on my phone and its a bitch to do this, but as its my computer also, oh well...)

STL · #2 08-24-2009, 05:44 PM

On the passenger side foot area the fuse panel check fuse number 33 to see it is lose and not seated properly

I know sounds dumb but start small before you rip into the dash.

I had a fuse that was really lose and my park lights and foglights would come on and go off if I hit a bump

Here is what my fuse was like

Click to see video

2004x4x4 · #3 08-25-2009, 08:08 AM

i checked all the fuses, inside the cab and under the hood... that was my first thought, was maybe i had blown a fuse or one had wiggled loose. but they all were on there tighter than hell and all were fine (the one for my cig lighter was ironically blown, but i never use it so i had no idea, haha).

i was in the dash last night putting in a new stereo and while i was in there i was looking around to see if i had any loose wires or something grounding it out, but i couldnt really see the back of the instrument cluster. i reached back there and nothing, so i thinhk i gotta pop the instrument cluster out to really get a good look at it.

how hard is it to take out the instrument cluster on these truks?

littleblue · #4 08-25-2009, 09:44 AM

Its not difficult. Here is a post on an explorer site showing how to remove the console and audio/hvac panel for installing indiglo gauges.
Indiglo gauges install, or HOW TO REMOVE CLUSTER!! ( warning 22 pictures ) - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

GSXR750 · #5 08-27-2009, 08:51 PM

At what step on the above post do you go to find the lights? My dash needs new bulbs so I plan on doing this.

Thanks.