Hello all, I'm new to the forum and need some help with a 1991 XL F150 5.8 I just bought. The problem is none of the gauges work except the speedo, meaning all electrical gauges. I've checked the fuses, but according to the panel it doesn't have fuse for the gauges anyway. Also no brake lights, again fuses checked and I jumped the switch at the brake pedal, and followed the harness the best I could with no luck. I pulled the rear light and the bulb is good, the previous owner had installed a trailer brake asst. and for some reason had one wire going to the brake pedal switch wire instead of the plug that came oem, I disconnected the brake assist to eliminate it from the problem, so any help with these problems would be greatly appreciated.

 

Ok, I fixed the brake light problem, it was a fuseable link by the starter relay. But none of my gauges work yet except the speedo any help on where to start looking.

 

Welcome to the site!

Maybe try beating firmly on the top of the dash. If the gauges show any signs of life, suggest to inspect the connectors to the instrument display. My panel has a flexible printed circuit film that the connectors plug into. Experience has been that the connector sometimes doesn't seat good into this film causing erratic gauge display.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm at a lost for solutions, I'll give it a try this weekend, thanks again!

 

just be EXTREMELY careful taking that display out. you could be very screwed, very easily.

 

Why could I be screwed taking the display out, something shorting out I take it. Wouldn't disconnecting the battery solve that, or is there something else?
Also my sons shop teacher said there is a grounding issue with the gauges on these vehicles, but I'll have to pull the gauges out to find that also.
Thanks for all the help guys......