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Topic: the mistery of the instrument cluster problem 1985 mercury cougar (Read 1286 times) previous topic - next topic

the mistery of the instrument cluster problem 1985 mercury cougar

please read carefully asim going crazy trying to solve. this were too begin ,here it goes. I have gone thought two digital clusters over this, on my first digital cluster it was great all my indicators were working .one day the backlight went off for just the digital tachometer total mileage, cheek engine light combo rest stayed on. After that I had tapped the headlight switch on the dimmer, went back on only once, then the back light stayed 0ff for the tachometer  .so thinking the panel dim switch was faulty I replaced it but nothing still no back light .before I thought to cheak the bulbs (which were all good) I replaced the cluster unit still the same issue no back light however I could see the speedometer which was wonky by an estimated 30 mph (speedo sensor) yet to be fixed anyhow. After a bit of time the entire unit went out now I cant see any speed or the original mileage or check engine light .I had replaced the switch with a different type I guess I thought this might be the issue after I replace it but the harness fits point for point on the new one dimmer still function and all that however the circuit d1 on this headlight/dimmer switch has no tie in the new switch also the switch that came before neither have a visible plug for d1,idk if this is any help but roughly around the same time my tachometer went dark I noticed the dome light and dash clock went out Idk if thers any relation there, so replacement of the cluster unit made no difference help please I fear this issues driving me up the wall (btw no fuse is blown) :mad: UPDATE:  Well the cluster is digital base and sorry but im new at electronic work however smart enough with electronics and wiring not to get a jolt by being reckless and clumsy givin that im new to wiring i do not know where this transformer for the panel dim switch is,or what it looks like to add a little information, all the back lights work except the center unit the speedo the omt and the service light these is entirly out i cant even squint to see which i could do but cant anymore.

the mistery of the instrument cluster problem 1985 mercury cougar

Reply #1
Isn't there a small transformer somewhere either before or after the dimmer switch?
87 TC
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the mistery of the instrument cluster problem 1985 mercury cougar

Reply #3
which cluster do you have......
-digital speedo in the center with buttstuffog gauges for fuel & temp on one side

or

-FULL DIGITAL EVERYTHING


?

 

the mistery of the instrument cluster problem 1985 mercury cougar

Reply #4
Well the cluster is digital base and sorry but im new at electronic work however smart enough with electronics and wiring not to get a jolt by being reckless and clumsy givin that im new to wiring i do not know where this transformer for the panel dim switch is,or what it looks like to add a little information, all the back lights work except the center unit the speedo the omt and the service light these is entirly out i cant even squint to see which i could do but cant anymore.