No Gauges or Nav/Radio

[khpony]

I can start and drive the expy just fine I just don't have any gauges or nav/radio. This has happened twice the last month and happened again last evening and hasn't come back on. Before I could restart the vehicle and they would come back on and work fine. It's been extremely cold here but it sets in the garage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[stamp11127]

Smack the dash rather sharply but not hard enough to break anything. If they come back on you have a connection problem at the cluster. If they don't you may have a connection problem at the grounds. Do you also loose the dash lights when that happens?

 

[khpony]

No I didn't loose the dash lights just the gauge output.

 

[khpony]

stamp11127 I banged on the dash again and the gauges came on. Then I shut the vehicle off started it again and all gauges were dead. I banged on the dash some more but couldn't get them to come back on. Looks like I have a loose connection and will need to pull the dash. Before I do that I'll just pull the trim and remove/reinstall the 2 major connectors frst to see if that's it.
Thanks!

 

[stamp11127]

Reset the connectors first. If that doesn't fix it then resolder the pins for the connectors to the PC board, while you are there also do the odometer display solder connections.

 

[khpony]

I just reset the connectors. Everything is working fine now. Have to see if it lasts.
Thanks stamp11127!

 

[khpony]

Well wife went to use the Expy and no gauges so it didn't last long. Guess I'll pull the connectors and spray them with contact cleaner and go from there.

 

[khpony]

We'll still having problems with dash. No display when cold but all works fine when warm. Stamp11127 do you believe this is indicative of a cold solder joint on the pins on the PC board? If so is it hard to get to this after pulling the dash?

 

[stamp11127]

The Ford manual doesn't go into electronic detail, so the answer is "could be". The cluster uses two grounds, one in each connector. The wire in C220a is black while the wire in C220b is Pink/Orange. You may want to reflow the solder on those pins.

Both wires also show a splice before they go to their individual grounds so that may also be the cause of the problem.

I don't remember how many of the trim pieces need to be removed to get the cluster out, but it isn't bad. Just don't pull the entire dash.

 

[khpony]

Pulling the dash is easy. I've done it 4 times already. A piece of cake. I'll check out the grounds.
Thanks!

 

[jdecker]

It's a bad solder joint. You haven't noticed but i'll bet your power windows don't work either. Radio, windows, gauges are all controlled by the module in the instrument panel. You can take the instrument panel out pretty easy then remove the back and use a magnifying glass to look for the cold joint.

 

[khpony]

Yea I knew the power windows didn't work. I had a chiropractor adjustment yesterday (too many times under the dash lately) so I'll wait a couple of days then pull the dash and hopefully fix it. I really appreciate all the help here!

 

[Bedrck47]

before you pull the dash Check under the drivers side sill plate in the wire bundle there are some purple wires that are know to corrode and cause problems Might be easier to check this first

 

[Bedrck47]

you will be looking for something like the attached

 

[khpony]

roxy1225 thanks! I'll check that first.

 

[khpony]

I do believe however it's in the dash since when I pull the Expy out and let it set in the sun the dash warms up and the gauges come on.

 

[Bedrck47]

keep us posted

 

[khpony]

Well no luck. I looked the circuit board and contacts over well and couldn't see anything. I did reflow the solder joints on the circuit board connector pins to no avail. I've been looking at the cluster repair services on ebay specifically ATL Enterprises and My Auto Solutions in Georgia. There cost is $49 & $15 shipping. I think I may give them a call tomorrow. They both have good reviews. I want to sell the Expy this spring and get the wife something smaller to drive so I really need to get this fixed.
Thanks!!

 

[Bedrck47]

You didn't mention But did you look at the purple wire under the sill plate???

 

[khpony]

No I'll check it tomorrow but I don't understand how that affects it if I can hit the dash and get them to come on part of the time.