Problem with instrument cluster

Tiny
REBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD WINDSTAR
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 2,000,000 MILES
I only had this van less then a month and the magnetic analog gauges started bouncing around. I would pound on the steering column and the gauges would start acting normal again for a while. I found a YouTube video saying that there is cold solder joint on the small PC board at the ribbon cable that connects both PC boards together. I ended up using a bit to much heat and separated the pin from the foil. I fixed that with a small copper wire and solder. The cluster was working except for the gas gauge. The gas gauge reads full when the key is on and the low fuel light is on and the computer is flashing low fuel on the display.
I came home a few days ago, pulled into my parking space, turned the engine off and went up stairs. The next morning I got into the van and turn the key and nothing happens. The engine would not start, even the starter motor would not turn over. Everything else works, radio, power windows, power sliding doors, lights. They all work except the motor. The anti-theft light blinks slowly when everything is turned off. Now when the key is on the anti-theft blinks fast. I read that if I unplug the battery and let the van sit like that for an hour then reconnect the battery and unlock and lock the doors with the remote five times. That will reset the anti-theft system. It did not work. The engine still will not start.

Steve
Tuesday, September 12th, 2017 AT 9:03 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
It sounds like you have low voltage from the battery, can you put a voltage meter across the terminals to see if you have over 12 please? Test it with the head lights on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
REBLE
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When I got the minivan from Big Toe. Big Toe says that they replaced the battery between the time that I test drove the van and when I picked it up the van.
Two weeks after I picked up the van that is when the troubles with the instrument cluster started. Yes, there was corrosion around the terminals. I have the tool to clean the terminals. Big Toe has the van now. They are trying to fix it. If they cannot fix it I will get a new/used vehicle. This is a pre-existing condition with the cluster. The tow driver told me it is the anti theft device that is acting up. Everything works, lights radios electric sliding doors, power windows. The motor will not start. Even the starter motor will not turn over.
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Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Big Toe is that in Washington? It sounds like something is draining the battery down like a glove box light or something.

Here is a guide that can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please let us know.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, September 14th, 2017 AT 10:37 AM

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