Instrument cluster has a few issues I need advice on?

SWEETIE1965

MEMBER
1997 FORD EXPLORER
4.0L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
218,000 MILES

I recently purchased the vehicle listed above. The engine runs great with no leaks, but it has a few issues I need advice on. The first one is the instrument cluster. The only gauge that works properly is the gas gauge. The speedometer stays stuck on 30MPH while parked. While driving it moves according to speed but when parked it stays stuck on 30MPH. The tachometer while driving goes up to 3,000RPMs while driving about 50MPH (I've been judging my speed). The second thing is the outside turn signals work fine. When I turn the left turn signal on I hear a pretty loud buzzing noise coming from inside the cluster. Please help me out with this. It has a couple of other issues which I'll discuss after I can repair these first as they are more important.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

It sounds like the cluster is shorting out which needs replacement. It might fix the signal problems as well. Also, let's check the connections at the rear of the cluster. They could be corroded; you will need to get a used or rebuilt cluster which you can find online. Here are the instructions on how to get the cluster out for replacement in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

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