RentonBill

Hello, I replaced the instrument cluster light bulbs on my 1997 Ford F150. As part of the operation I removed the dials on the instrument panel (didn't need to do that! ) now all of the dials read incorrectly. Is there a way to electronically reset the instrument cluster back to zero or do I need to remove and dials and reposition them again?

Thanks in advance for your comments and expert help!

TheJMC

In a word, no.

vaughn202

The same thing happened to me once when I was trying to pick back the miles!

bigbadvlad

I have an extra panel if you want to buy it (or trade for something), it also has the rpm gauge if you didn't have that before...

akdoggie

If you were to go to whitegauges you could buy a white faced panel or other colors to replace your black face, and it comes with the templete to reset your gauges correctly when removing the needles. Just a thought, and it would brighten up your speedometer cluster area.

http://whitegauges.net/categories/Wh...7D-Expedition/

I just looked at that particular kit and it just goes over the needles w/o removal. You can still find other companies on the net that do full face overlays and they require needle removal. I just remembered the one company who doesn't require removal. Good luck.

akdoggie

I just was reading how to reset the gauges if you know where they run when the engine is warm. You'll be real close but maybe not 100% accurate.

Engine warm. All needles removed, except speedometer with should of been reset at zero anyways. With the key on running and no needles replaced yet. The Tach if it idles at 750 or so, lightly set the needle on the stem @ the desired running rpm and press on. Same with all the gauges. OP, volts, temp should be fine, but fuel might be a problem as you may not remember where it was exactly. When the redlight for fuel warning comes on, you could always reset that particular needle. Otherwise all the others should be close enough for electric gauges, as long as you remember where they operate and set them back accordingly. Hope that helps some.

That came from one of the gauge face suppliers for those who have done as you have done. See you aren't alone, that's for sure. Seems common enough that they wrote about it.

dbrinkley81

should be able to take it to ford and have it reprogrammed for about a half hour labor. we do it at chevy all the time. Yes I drive a ford and work for chevy. It is amazing how much money I make off of warranty work on those things

TheJMC

My scan tool can communicate with the cluster and I can position any of the gages where I want them using the bi-directional feature. I could set them to 50% and align the needles that way. Find a local mechanic who can do the same and have him set them for you.

RentonBill

We removed and replaced the "arms" until we got them to read correctly.