Hello, my 1999 F150 has been kicking out codes and fighting a transmission shifting problem. I took it to the dealer and they say the problems point toward needing a new instrument cluster (apparently it's tied to the VSS sensor). Sounds weird to me, but I could use some suggestions so I don't have to spend $800 on a new cluster. I'm not really thrilled about a wrecking yard one since it may have problems and the wreckers would have no way of checking it out before I pay them money. Any suggestions? Thank you


I did find a circuit board resistor laying on the drivers carpet -- no idea where it came from, but maybe that cluster.

 

There are places that repair these clusters for about $150-200. If you can let the truck sit for a week or so, they can help you get it fixed. If not, you only have the dealer or a wrecking yard for your choices.

It is quite possible that the cluster if Fubar. All vehicles from Ford and everyone else for that matter, use the cluster as a center piece of the system. Most electronics run thru the PCM and cluster anymore. If you buy used, it may have to be programmed to run in your vehicle.

I put a GT cluster in my 07 Mustang V6, and it works well, with the exception of showing a brake light, because of no ABS pump in my car (factory set up). The cluster works with every feature but the one. I just put tape over the bulb and reset the face plate so it didn't show.

While a used cluster might cure your problems, it might make them worse if you just grab anything to replace yours. You'll want to find a cluster, that came from a vehicle, almost identical to yours. If not, say you have a 4.6 with AT and you grab a cluster that seems fine, but it came from a 2wd v6 with std trans. You can guarantee that some light will be on continuously and/or it may not start. These are problems you have with a used cluster. The dealer can program a used one, but the mileage can not be changed by the dealer. It would have to be done in a repair center for these to get the right mileage set. Also, you'd have to prove your mileage, so that the GOVT didn't come after you for alteration. Not that they have the time for such crap, but they could. A used cluster after 99 is a crap shoot.

 

Thanks AK -- I guess it can be driven without a cluster, does anyone have any recommendation on who to use to repair it?

 

https://circuitboardmedics.com/ford-...luster-repair/

There are numerous repair facilities for these. The one above I've read about before and had good luck for a couple of the members. $149.95 for your truck.

I'm not positive if you can run your truck without it or not. I've never tried it. Anyone else know?

 

The resistor you found is a little puzzling lol. Well quite a few of these clusters suffer from solder joint cracks. If it were me, I would inspect and hit any joints that looked questionable. I fix PCB's as a hobby and I say questionable because even under a scope, you can't always find an actual crack. It's nothing to reheat a joint and add a little solder if it looks sparse. In the past, guys have had success doing this.

The resister, -not sure how one of those can bust free. Unless someone soldered one inline to a wire feed. Other than that, it may have been picked up by your shoe elsewhere and fell off in the truck.

 

Hi JBrew -- I've already soldered it a couple of times for the odometer problem (so apparently I am not too good at soldering those little joints -- I can solder household plumbing though). But if it's a resistor, or any of those other "things" on a board, I have no way of knowing. I checked out the GEM, it is not missing a resistor, and the resistor I found is real clean, like maybe it did fall out of the cluster, but I don't know.


HOWEVER, looking at the computer board, I see no other resistors on the board. So yes, I think it best someone that knows what they're doing take a look at this -- and they would hopefully test it to make sure it is right after their repair.

 

Yea, sweating copper plumbing and working on PCB's (PrintedCircuitBoard's) are worlds apart lol. Different tools, solder and methods. But re-heating a joint and adding in a little solder isn't bad. Cluster boards are thick, but honestly, you need good tools. A high heat (watt) Iron (only, no guns or torches lol) that's fast, - in and out. Most everything on the boards can handle high heat, flash heat, but not for a prolonged period of time. That's how you cook one. Anyway, -that's probably the biggest tip anyone can give yuh. Should have the ability to touch your Iron to the joint, feed solder within 3 seconds and get right off it. Continuous low heat or slow heat is a killer....little crash course for yuh lol.

So yea, send it in.

 

Ya mean I cant use MAP gas on my stereo solder connections?

 

Sure you can but I hope you like a puddle when you are done. lol

A resistor laying on the floor makes absolutely no sense. Where would it come from? Every item is enclosed in some sort of protection, so to find a loose resistor is almost impossible from your truck. Did you have any kind of open electronics in your truck that it could of come off? Old radio, computer part, etc? Besides, if a piece was missing from a circuit, that circuit would fail to initiate or would not have power to one thing or another. Finding that piece on your floor, is quite strange to say the least.

Can you post a picture of the resistor? Or at least give the number off it. I'm sure JBrew or myself can give you some sort of reference once the unit is identified.

 

I posted a picture on here for the first time, The resistor is too small for any numbers and, no, I had no other devices (not that I can recall). It is on a 4 x 6 scratch paper, for reference sizing.