05 explorer xlt gauge cluster problem

[insanity]

I figured this would make it easier to understand then if i tried to explain it. Anyone have any ideas?

The only thing not stock is the radio, which was installed using an aftermarket harness.

 

[sportrac03]

I am wondering if because you installed an aftermarket radio. I do know that changing some things with these electrical systems can mess up clusters. For example: I changed out my radio in my 03 Sport Trac, because the 05 is mp3 capable and is satelite ready, it is the exact same style. I put the radio from the 05 in and once in awhile my dash lights go out because my 03 uses an analog signal and the 05 uses a digital signal. Both radios hook up exactly the same.

 

[dogfriend]

I don't have much of a clue, but I would check any grounds under the dash and I would check the aftermarket radio wiring to make sure that you aren't feeding power into the ground circuit somehow.

 

[insanity]

The first time this happened the radio was in for two days, and then i tried to program some remotes and it started doing that. I took it to the dealer and they "fixed" it. Claimed it was a loose wire in the junction box. Today, three weeks after the "fix" the wife and i drove to the mall and everything was okay. It wasn't until we were getting in to leave the mall that it started doing it again.

 

[sportrac03]

I do know that on the newer vehicles if changing the radio can break the circuit or show it being open especially in explorers like 02 - 05 because the radios are tied to the clusters. Plus you have radio controls on the steering wheel. I know that when you slow down there is an option to where the radio the volume goes down. Likewise when you speed up the volume goes up. In my moms 03 we put a in a mach radio which is mp3 capable while factory one is not. The radio is made by the same company that makes the Ford radios and made for explorers but you lose the option of controlling the radio from the steering wheel. This radio has the same frequency as the factory one thats why she has had no problems. Ford has used an analog signal in the explorers in 02-03 and 04 and up uses electrical signals. Everything runs through the clusters on Ford vehicles and because of that any interuption can cause problems.

 

[insanity]

What brand and model would that be?

 

[sportrac03]

What do you mean by model?

 

[insanity]

What kind of radio was it

 

[insanity]

Still doing it with the stock radio installed and the dealer has no clue. Supposedly they are calling in an engineer to look at it

 

[jakedrew]

that i weird ...

good luck and keep us updated.