I've previously brought this issue to the Forum. But I'm back again with the same problem, but a bit more information that my help figure out what's going on.

The check engine light doesn't light up when the key is turned to the "on" or "start" position. Recently I had a problem with the engine starting and remaining running, and repeated attempts to get it running distroyed the starter (actually broke an ear off the mounting brackets), so it ended up getting towed to the shop. The shop checked the codes, replaced the coolant temperature sensor, replaced the starter and a leaking radiator, and returned it to me in good running conditionl, except the check engine light still didn't work. The believe the bad sensor should have caused the light to turn on before the sensor was replaced, but it didn't.

I convinced myself that the instrument cluster bulb was burned out, and pulled the cluster. The bulb tested good on a ohm meter, but I replaced it with a brand new one anyway. Reassembled everything and turned it on, and the darned thing still doesn't work.

I have pulled and visually inspected every fuse in the panels that are suppposed to have anything to do with lighting and instrument illumination, and they are all ok. All the other cluster lights work. Does anyone have ANY idea what the heck is going on here. Thanks in advance for your input.

The vehicle is a '96 F-150 XLT Supercab, Mark III

 

Is the socket that the bulb goes into good? I had a number of bad sockets on mine. I verified good ones by installing the bulb and checking through it with a volt ohm meter. When I replaced the sockets with new from Oriellys, they were junk as the spring contacts didn't spring. I ended up getting a handful from the junkyard.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, 5Rangers. I did not check the socket, but definitely should have, or swapped it out with one in the cluster that wasn't being used in my truck application. Sure hate to pull the cluster again, but will if no one comes up with an alternate suggestion that works.

 

With a diagram, you should be able to check for continuity between the CEL output pin on the computer harness and the harness going to the cluster.

 

It's a good idea! I don't have schematic for a 96.