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All of a sudden the dash stopped working, every thing is out

Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 4.6L
  • 120,000 MILES
Everything was working as it should then one day I got in and the whole dash was not working. No lights nothing. Found the fuse and replaced it and soon as I turn the key over I heard it pop. The fuse is for the electronic cluster, warning chimes and lights evo steering and air bags. So I figure it is a process of eliminating each of the until the fuse doesn't pop. Well I am having a hard time finding a way to eliminate or unplug the warning chimes and lights, the air bags and the evo. I don't know what else to do. It was fine one day then all the sudden was out. Not sure if this is related but the key got stuck in the ignition about 3 weeks prior. The steering wheel wont lock and key will not turn the full turn back to remove it. I have played with it and got it out a couple times but it just sticks again.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 1:58 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

The reason that the fuse is blowing is that there is a short to ground in the circuit that the fuse is protecting. Is your instrument cluster digital or standard?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
It is digital. So I can't see how fast I am going or how much gas I have or even if something was to go wrong like overheating.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Should I disconnect each of the different things that are pn the fuse 1 at a time?
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 7:57 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, so what needs to happen here is to find out where the short to ground is in the circuit. Usually these happen somewhere in the instrument panel itself, but not always. To do the diagnostic though, the instrument panel is going to have to be removed anyway to get at the electrical connectors to run some tests on them, so either way the instrument panel will need to be removed. In the diagrams down below I have included the instructions on how to remove and install the instrument cluster on your vehicle. Please remove the instrument cluster from your vehicle and then take a voltage reading of pin 2 of connector 256 with the black lead of your Digital Multi-meter[DMM] touching a good ground. I have also included diagrams of the three electrical connectors going to the instrument cluster with callouts in the diagrams down below as well. If you are unfamiliar with how to use a DMM, here is a link below explaining how to use one, if needed:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Please take this voltage reading and report back here with the results.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 11:57 PM
Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Okay, so I just need a voltage reading of pin 2 connector 256. Right?
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Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Yes. I included the instructions for how to remove your vehicle's instrument panel because this connector plugs into the instrument panel, so it will have have to come out to get at the connector.
Please get back to us with the voltage reading and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 AT 11:57 PM
Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Took me all day finally got to the connector. Not giving me any reading at all. I am getting 11.7 on all other wires around it.
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Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Oh and for some reason my heat quit blowing last night as well. Is this related?
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Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 AT 11:42 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, let's concentrate on one thing at time. Okay, so you have got a short to ground before the electrical connector on the wire that feeds pin 2 of connector 256, which provides battery voltage to the instrument cluster. In the diagrams down below I have included a wiring diagram of your vehicle's instrument cluster and a guide on how to find short to grounds in an automotive electrical circuit. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, November 4th, 2019 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
HAILEEGRACECRIMI12
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Okay will do. I thought about that once already and was having trouble finding a way to unplug, or disconnect 2 of things powered by that fuse. Those being the evo steering and the other being the airbags. If you could help me with that I think along with all the other knowledge I will gain, I am confident I can come up with a solution for my problem.
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Monday, November 4th, 2019 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

I have included the information that you requested in the diagrams down below. Please pay special attention to the air bag safety portion. Please get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Tuesday, November 5th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM

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