2000 Ford Windstar Instrument cluster; PATS

TUDDER

MEMBER
2000 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
167,000 MILES

I bought a used 2000 windstar with a bad instrument cluster. I bought a used cluster and had my mechanic intall it. Prior to his working on it I disconnected the battery(as the books recommended). After installation the car won't start and the THEFT light blinks. Even after sitting overnight the light still blinks and car will not start. Question: does the car need to be transported to a dealer? I have another mechanic with several scanners but my internet reading tells me that Ford dealers may have the only scanners that will work here. To make things worse the car came with only one key. Thanks for your advise. D. T.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Yes you need the ford super star tester or WDS to reprogram the PCM to work with the different cluster.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/MODULE (ICM) Removal & Installation 1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove 2 screws and remove instrument panel steering column cover ("D") from below steering column. See Fig. 10. 2. Remove 4 nuts and remove instrument panel steering column cover reinforcement from below steering column. Loosen 4 bolts retaining steering column. Lower steering column. Remove lower steering column shroud from steering column. Using a punch, push button below ignition lock cylinder and pull ignition switch lock cylinder out. 3. Remove upper steering column shroud from steering column. Remove light switch knob and gently pry instrument panel finish panel ("E") away from instrument panel ("A"). See Fig. 11. Disconnect headlight switch miniature bulb socket from instrument panel finish panel. 4. Remove 2 retaining screws at bottom of cluster opening panel and gently pry from instrument panel. See Fig. 11. Disconnect electrical connectors. Remove 2 retaining screws and gently pry instrument panel finish panel ("F") from instrument panel. See Fig. 12. Disconnect transaxle range indicator cable from column by removing retaining screw and cable loop. 5. Remove 4 screws retaining instrument cluster. Pull instrument cluster forward to gain access to electrical connectors. Disconnect electrical connectors. Remove instrument cluster. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten instrument cluster retaining screws to 18-26 INCH lbs. (2- 3 N.M). Tighten instrument panel steering column cover reinforcement retaining screws to 106 INCH lbs. (12 N.M).
CAUTION: Electronic modules are sensitive to static electrical charges. Proper grounding of technician and workplace is essential to prevent damage. CAUTION: Prior to removal of module, it is necessary to upload module configuration information to New Generation Star (NGS) tester. This information needs to be downloaded into new module once installed. See PROGRAMMING. NOTE: After instrument cluster replacement, see PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS - WINDSTAR article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT for anti-theft system programming.