[blkboost]

Hey Guys, like a lot of you my Gauge cluster illumination has been out for a few years now (all other lights are good). I dont really have the skills to successfully solder/re-solder a new inverter fuse onto the board. So i ask, has anybody had a local shop do it? Preferably in the so-cal or Nevada, Vegas area?

 

[Chacuff]

If all that needs to be done is a new fuse soldered in find a local two way radio shop in town and have one of their techs do it..another option is to hunt up one of your local ham radio guys, most of them have those skills or know somebody:bigtu that does. If you have the cluster out and have the fuse the rest is a piece of cake if you find a guy with basic skills.

 

[BlowerWhore]

Bump to an old thread. Anyone know who rebuilds the clusters/fix the illumination back ground ?


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[Jeffv333]

Yeah, there is a write up. Have you replaced the fuse yet? If you pay shipping both ways, I'll do it for free.

 

[mizlplix]

My gauge illumination has been out for ten years or so.
Had it to Ford and paid $50 to have them tell me it cant be fixed.
I have it out and apart now. I can not even find this famous board fuse.
(Board fuse, Pico fuse, Micro fuse....ETC)

No where on the board is a discolored spot maybe indicating a burn out.
No where is a loose solder joint. (Under a good mag glass)

I have removed the little buck/boost converter unit and it seems OK.
There is continuity in the strip light circuit.
The odometer (radio, cruise buttons, etc) will bright/dim as normal.
All of the warning lamps work also.

No background illumination for the cluster........

Where is the elusive fuse? Any pics or drawings?

THANK YOU ALL, Miz

 

[Jeffv333]

My gauge illumination has been out for ten years or so.
Had it to Ford and paid $50 to have them tell me it cant be fixed.
I have it out and apart now. I can not even find this famous board fuse.
(Board fuse, Pico fuse, Micro fuse....ETC)

No where on the board is a discolored spot maybe indicating a burn out.
No where is a loose solder joint. (Under a good mag glass)

I have removed the little buck/boost converter unit and it seems OK.
There is continuity in the strip light circuit.
The odometer (radio, cruise buttons, etc) will bright/dim as normal.
All of the warning lamps work also.

No background illumination for the cluster........

Where is the elusive fuse? Any pics or drawings?

THANK YOU ALL, Miz

Post a picture of the back of your instrument cluster please. I'll circle it for you. It looks like a green resistor soldered on the board.

 

[Killer Ride]

There is a write up in the how to section by BGstew really simple I fixed mine with no problems

 

[mizlplix]

I found it by accident.

The fuse is not on the cluster board. It is on the buck/boost converter board.

The black box at top of pic is the converter.

It looks like this when removed.

The green thing is the fuse. It can be checked before removal with a VTOM in resistance scale across thw two ends. Mine didnt register anything.

It has been since replaced. I used a .300 MA board type fuse. (It blew a .250 MA fuse.....)

I am putting it back today.

Miz

 

[Mrjexer]

Wow, good to know....

watch, now that i saw this mine will go out....lol

 

[Jeffv333]

I would use the same fuse on there. You put a bigger amp fuse and you risk the chance of burning through a resistor or another component on the board that you will have hell troubleshooting.

I replaced mine with the same .250mA amperage and no issues so far. Been 2 years.

 

[mizlplix]

I would use the same fuse on there. You put a bigger amp fuse and you risk the chance of burning through a resistor or another component on the board that you will have hell troubleshooting.

I replaced mine with the same .250mA amperage and no issues so far. Been 2 years.

Where I would generally agree with you, My old fuse had a small flat side on th ebottom where it contacted the board.

It had gotten really hot. I didnt work before, any use I get now is a bonus.

Miz