Well a few weeks ago I picked up a steal on an 87 XLT lariat. I paid $200 for it because it didnt run right. Turned out to be loose plugs (all were removed with my fingers) and plug wires going to the wrong cylinders. The truck is pretty rust free with a little bit on the bedsides... nothing major though.

It had a broken leaf spring, which I replaced, and the front left turn signal did not work properly, which was solved by putting in a new socket.

Now I just replaced the instrument cluster hoping that the speedometer would work, but it turns out to be a broken speedo cable. Now the one I put in will not light up like its supposed to and the rear driving lights will not come on when I pull the switch. The brake lights work, and flash when I put the signals on.

Now I do know a guy that had the same problem with his 84 bronco, but we could not figure out whats up with them. Fuses checked out and I do not think that it has anything to do with the sockets or wiring to the lights. They worked before I put the instrument cluster in.

I know that the instrument lighting is on the same fuse as the driving lights, but the fuse is good. So what else can it be?

All the truck needs now to pass inspection is a speedo cable and the lights fixed. Im a bit stumped on this one as Im a motorcycle tech by trade and never really did my own work on trucks.

This is the second F150 Ive owned, I used to have a 92 but sold it as I got a jeep (hate the freakin things, just wanted it for driving 1k miles a week).

The truck has a 302 with less than 100k on the clock, a 4 speed on the floor, and has manual 4x4... just a little info on that.

 

What did you take the donor instrument cluster out of?

 

I took it out of an 87 XLT lariat. Pretty much the same truck... 4x4, 4 speed, 302 etc.

 

my 89 had the same problem, cluster didn't light up and no rear park lights. it was a bad fuse, quadruple check that ha

 

Did anything else stop working after the fuse went?

 

only parking lights, and cluster.