Instrument Cluster Short January 08, 2010, 04:11:25 PM [INDENT][/INDENT]Hey there, I need some help with a short circuit on my 1996 Mercury Cougar. [INDENT][/INDENT]My Instrument cluster shorts out when I move the gear shift lever hard to the front, I have already taken apart the bezel surrounding the lever and Don't see any wires that would be causing a problem so I am guessing there is a switch in the lever or perhaps in the mechanism itself something causing the problem, just not sure what?? Also I have done a little research and have solved one of the common shorts in behind my CD deck so I know its not that.Any and all help would be much appreciated.Thanks, Daniel Quote Selected
Instrument Cluster Short Reply #1 – January 08, 2010, 11:06:46 PM so what fuses blew as a result of your short?when things short,, fuses blow or things smoke.do you mean intermittant open? Quote Selected
Instrument Cluster Short Reply #2 – January 09, 2010, 11:15:32 AM Sorry about that, I believe it was the 5 Amp panel lamp fuse I will double check when I dig it out of the snow. Also it is intermittent, I can put the 5 amp fuse in and It wont blow until I start moving the gear shift around. I put a 15 amp fuse in its place temporarily and its definitely somewheres in the gear shift as it flickers the lights when I put it into park and sometimes kills them completely, not blowing the fuse though and all I have to do to get them to come back on is turn the headlight switch to off and then back on again. I'm puzzled! Quote Selected
Instrument Cluster Short Reply #3 – January 10, 2010, 01:15:13 AM rig up one of your circuit breakers ,,silverones,,via jumper wires to that location so you dont keep blowing fuses. Quote Selected
Instrument Cluster Short Reply #4 – January 10, 2010, 07:37:21 PM I suppose... ha No clue on what in the shifter would be causing the fuse to blow? or anything underneath i should take a closer look at? Quote Selected
Instrument Cluster Short Reply #5 – January 11, 2010, 04:46:47 AM not yet, not today either, driving to panama city all day. hopefully someone will get to this before me Quote Selected
Instrument Cluster Short Reply #6 – January 28, 2010, 08:18:27 PM I found where the short was coming from FINALLY. I will share with you guys where it was in case you have a similar problem... The short was coming from chafed wires on the shift indicator light! didn't notice it until I took the shift off and actually removed the whole indicator piece. Easy fix.. Thanks for the help. Quote Selected