Instrument cluster is not working?

98STANGCOUPEV6

MEMBER
1998 FORD MUSTANG
3.8L
V6
2WD
MANUAL
121,355 MILES

I may soon be wishing I had not taken on this project, but as a 30+ years retired auto tech, sometimes I miss the headache lol. Okay, the car listed above the only thing on stock cluster that worked is the battery light. I did my research and ordered a refurbished cluster with the correct part number. But before I installed it (because stock cluster circuit board was burnt in a few places). Found where at some point someone had wired an amp and boom, boom system to all the wrong places. Some fuses still in fuse box are wrong amp and a couple just missing. What else should I check before I install a new cluster? Electric door locks are not working either and only passenger window works (not sure if related). I'm going to check the power to cluster hardness plugs for sure. All external lights are working normally.

The car listed above is a two door, coupe.

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Yes, I would check the power and grounds before installing the cluster. here is a guide to help and the instrument cluster wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works and which wires to test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.

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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 AT 12:11 PM

98STANGCOUPEV6

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15 POSTS

Thanks, will do. I was a drive train tech, and mayor components tech. Wiring, well just wasn't my thing lol.

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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 AT 4:43 AM

KEN L

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Nice! We all have our thing, getting people back on the road, a noble job no doubt.

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Thursday, August 24th, 2023 AT 10:46 AM

98STANGCOUPEV6

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15 POSTS

Replaced 10-amp courtesy fuse door locks started work and key chime, was able to program remotes. Dash lights are working, but no gauge's work. Need ideas on what and where to look for possible cause(s). Thanks for the diagrams.

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Friday, August 25th, 2023 AT 6:50 AM

98STANGCOUPEV6

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Update 3.0-5, Well after losing another 10lbs sweating in this heat, I found more wrong and blown fuses. Replaced them and guess what. Come on guess what, all of the gauges now are working except the fuel gauge (pegs out at full). The odometer and trip meter are not working either, but the speedometer works as does the tachometer, temperature, battery, oil gauges.

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Friday, August 25th, 2023 AT 11:37 AM

98STANGCOUPEV6

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15 POSTS

I've got parts coming to fix trip meter, and a new fuel pump and sending unit to fix fuel gauge. Only thing left then will be driver's door window motor and a/c repairs. Then I'll have a daily driver.

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Friday, August 25th, 2023 AT 3:44 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Good job. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

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Saturday, August 26th, 2023 AT 11:45 AM

98STANGCOUPEV6

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Cluster issues fixed, Thanks again. You can close this one out if you want to. Replaced a bad cluster, fuses, removed spliced wires left behind by last owner, installed new fuel pump(wrong pump for this model had been installed extra wiring for sending unit nowhere to plug in so fuel gauge didn't work) correct fuel pump and filter installed all is good with cluster.

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Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 AT 12:43 PM

KEN L