Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? December 18, 2008, 04:45:45 PM I have a 1987 Cougar XR-7 I was driving the other day and the electronic intrsument cluster went blank. It is still lit green however there is not gauge information displaying in any of the three sections. Is this a fuse or does anyone know how to remedy this? Someone please help! Thank you!! Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #1 – December 18, 2008, 05:05:18 PM Sorry I have posted this before but still is not working and I do not know why.... Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #2 – December 18, 2008, 06:05:34 PM Are your turn signals and/or heater fan working? Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #3 – December 19, 2008, 10:45:26 AM Yea everything else seems to be fine other than I have three sections that display nothing but are lit green. One guy toild me that I had a cracked panel I do not know how to fix this if this is the cause but when I tap it it does not flicker so I don't believe this is the cause either. I also do not think its a fuse because other things work. Any other ideas? Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #4 – December 19, 2008, 01:36:16 PM Fixed!! Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #5 – December 19, 2008, 07:57:56 PM and the fix for it was??????????? would be helpful to know in case someone else has this problem Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #6 – December 19, 2008, 11:56:26 PM Sorry it is not fixed the fuse for it keeps blowing I am not sure why, It is fuse number 17. The cluster will display perfectly fine until I turn the blower fan on. I disconnected the A/C clutch this did not fix the issue and my cruise control does not work so it is not the speed control. I do not believe I have the electronic speed control (Is this an option???). The temperature and fan controls all continue to function after the fuse blows. Does anyone know why the fuse would continue to blow? I read on coolcats.net that it may be a wiring short behind the radio I am going to check this out tomorrow. Other ideas would be a big help thanks! Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #7 – December 20, 2008, 12:49:10 AM I got the one out of 87 T-bird won't work on my 88 for a extra because its does not have a floor shifter.Send me a PM if you might want it>? trying to move right now so i might not check my messages everyday Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #8 – December 20, 2008, 11:46:25 AM what have you done to the car in the trunk or dash lately? Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #9 – December 20, 2008, 01:11:36 PM I have taken the radio out a few times and have had the instrument panel out a few times to replace the bulbs too, but neither since the issue started. I am a little lost right now I don't know what to do to fix it. As I said fuse 17 blows when the Heat/AC fan turns on it also dims the dash lights. This causes the panel to display green background only with the blower still working normal. I also disconntected the AC out at the compressor this should disable the A/C clutch and therefore it is not that, correct??? With this information i believe the problem is in the wiring or something else running on the fuse. However, I am not sure how to fix this, it seems very complex to me. Someone please point me in a direction to get this fixed ! Thanks Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #10 – December 20, 2008, 02:11:47 PM One more thing, under fuse #17 I see the "Electronic Blower speed control" listed what is this? Where is it can I disconnect it to see if it would fix the issue? Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #11 – December 20, 2008, 02:30:38 PM I have noticed that the fuse only blows when the engine is running, could the alternator be the cause of all this???? Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #12 – December 20, 2008, 09:22:33 PM Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.Quote from: morrison.344;248235The cluster will display perfectly fine until I turn the blower fan on. I disconnected the A/C clutch this did not fix the issue and my cruise control does not work so it is not the speed control. I do not believe I have the electronic speed control (Is this an option???).1.This is tough to buttstuffyze because there is no logical connection between the blower motor circuit and fuse 17.2. Yes, unplugging the A/C compressor clutch should remove that potential load from fuse 17.3. Speed control is what Ford's name is for cruise control. The speed control amplifier is an electronic circuit board that is powered through fuse 17.Quote from: morrison.344;248272One more thing, under fuse #17 I see the "Electronic Blower speed control" listed what is this? Where is it can I disconnect it to see if it would fix the issue?The Electronic Blower speed control is a circuit board that is part of the Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) feature.I am guessing you don't have this feature.Quote from: morrison.344;248273I have noticed that the fuse only blows when the engine is running, could the alternator be the cause of all this????1. When the engine is not running where do you have the ignition switch? Run, Accy ?2. The only way the alternator could contribute to this problem would be if the voltage is going too high. Check the voltage across the battery with the engine running. It should not go above 14.5v.mercury-man had a similar problem last year on his '85. He found some wires in the engine bay shorting to ground. I PM'd him to see if he can tell more about where those wires were. Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #13 – December 20, 2008, 10:31:47 PM When the engine is not running I have the key turned forward one position to run, In this position the fuse will not blow and the fan controls operate as normal. I will check the voltage tomorrow with a meter. Thank you for all of this information it is very informative! Quote Selected
Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? Reply #14 – December 21, 2008, 12:33:58 AM I know nothing about this, but my guess (from working on cars for 40+ years) would be you may have pinched a wire while doing all that in and out with the gauges and radio Quote Selected
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Topic: Instrument cluster went Blank, but still lit up? (Read 2023 times)
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