ssmingler

I noticed yesterday that none of my gauges were working. I pulled the fuse and found that it was blown.. replaced it last night worked for a minute or so and blew again. Today i tried a 7.5 and a 10 fuse.....it is a 5 (amp?) and they both blew....... i am guessing it a short in a wire somewhere...just wondering if anybody has had this problem and if it is something other than a short ?????


Thanks


Shaun

torkum

What year do you have? Sounds like the cluster is shorting out.

ssmingler

98 supercab with the 5.4

Good old Bill

Other posts here about solder joints failing and causing intermittent operation. As I'm sure you are aware of increasing fuse size is not a fix, OK for temporary wire tracing, I've smoked wires intentially before to locate the short. In this case and with the other complaints, pull down the cluster, disconnect it and see if it still blows. Another question, does this event happen all the time or only with higher ambient temperatures. If its the latter, get back to us, don't want to confuse the issue with to much bla bla bla.

ssmingler

Its been the same temp here for the past week or so 20-30. I didnt have any problems with the truck during the fall but lately it has been pissing me off. First problem i have had is that it would not start in the extreme cold. Replaced the starter solenoid and that did not help next step is takin it to a shop for a starter. Lately it wont start in the mornings besides touching the two sides of the starter solenoid until it will start. Now this problem and most reciently the cigarette lighter is blowing fuses has me really questioning my purchase of this truck !!. What is the easiest way of takin the gauge cluster out ?

robf1roy

Your ground wire is either broken or damaged and it is hitting a piece of metal. I had a similar issue and found that my ground wire was broken. I replaced it and have had not other issues since.

ssmingler

the ground coming off the battery or from the gauge cluster ?

robf1roy

it is coming from the gauge cluster.You need to take off some of the panels around the steering wheel and look underneath for the ground wire.

ssmingler

what color is the ground and which one did you replace....the one from the left,right, middle ?

ssmingler

i just took the cluster out and it is still blowing the fuse....the next truck i am going to buy is a model T so there is no problems with electronics to go bad.......