Changed the bulbs in my cluster, now my gear selector doesnt work?

[Steeda90GT]

I decided to change the burnt out bulbs in the cluster. I put everything back together and now it says my truck is always in 1. I can still drive it and shift through all the gears, I just dont know which gear Im in.

Thoughts?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Either the string/cable came off the indicator, or it broke. The spring will pull it to "1" if the string/cable isn't attached to the cluster anymore.

 

[safn1949]

What he said,the shift indicator is a pain to hook up and seems easy to break when you take it apart.:

 

[David in NC]

I have a cluster out of a '97 you are welcome to. Maybe you can make a good one out 2 bad ones. I bought a used cluster for about $30 to replace the bad speedo in my XLT. Luckily, I was able to r&r the clusters successfully. I think the cable/string is hard to replace.

I have a bulb out on my speedo and was considering replacing it, but I think I'll just leave it as it is. It's behind the 20-40mph part. Who needs that?!

 

[windsors03cobra]

What a pain in the butt to change some 2 cent bulbs I just did the same thing Sunday. My fuel gauge and 50-70 mph were burnt out so I ripped all that stuff out to get at the cluster but I did not dig deep enough to undo the indicator wire.cable from the column but the cable did unsnap from the bottom of the gear indicator when I pulled it a bit to tight.
I turned the cluster sideways and changed the 2 bulbs and tested them, snapped the deal back into the gear indicator and was done with it.

 

[Steeda90GT]

Well mine didnt snap off or anything. The cable is still attached. The springs are in place. It just doesnt move the indicator

 

[Joe Dirt]

Something has to be broken, because the string thing is connected directly from the linkage to the indicator. It could be a broken tab, cable pinched, or something. Have you pulled the cluster?

 

[Steeda90GT]

I pulled the cluster. The cable is attached, and doesn't seem to be pinched anywhere. I followed it back to the column and observed it while I shifted through gears. The string thing is still attached at both ends (cluster & linkage)

 

[Joe Dirt]

Did it move when it was out of the dash? I know sometimes I had to shift mine a few times to get full range of motion back, and sometimes move the cable after putting the cluster back in.

When you pulled the cluster out, did you ever open the cluster and remove the gearshift indicator string, or did you lust lean the cluster forward?

 

[Steeda90GT]

I pulled the cluster forward I believe and exposed the bottom. I then took 2 flathead screwdrivers and pushed in both tabs to release the gear indicator box from the cluster. While it was out I was able to still shift it through the gears (with no cluster in) while watching the needle correspond to the right gear. I put it all back together and it doesn't work at all

I checked to see if the cable was snapped, but it is still attached on both ends. The white clip going into the gear indicator box is secured as well. Everything "looks" good.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Since the tabs on the right side of the indicator housing are part of the assembly, I would pull the bezel cover, then pull the plastic off your cluster. (I think they're T-15 Torx) then pull the 2 side gauges off, then the speedo/tach. At that point, the gear shift section just lifts out- no clips. Check to make sure one of the clips isn't binding it, or anything fishy. I'm sure the issue is somewhere in that junction. I usually remove that piece as outlined above so as not to upset that spot, since it's so freakin' chintzy.

 

[Steeda90GT]

Im not sure if that is the issue. Even with the cluster out it, the indicator wasnt working while shifting gears (it was prior to that)

Does someone have a pic of what it should look like on the column side?

 

[Joe Dirt]

While it was out I was able to still shift it through the gears (with no cluster in) while watching the needle correspond to the right gear. I put it all back together and it doesn't work at all

Im not sure if that is the issue. Even with the cluster out it, the indicator wasnt working while shifting gears (it was prior to that)

I'm confused now- was it working before the cluster came out or not?

The other end of the cable goes down to the adjuster behind the steel kick plate by your knees. The cable doesn't attach to the handle itself...

 

[ragajungle]

When I changed out the bulbs on my 94 Sport I did the same thing... I wound up re-taking out the cluster and exercising the needle and string set up- it was bound up from twisting it sideways.

Reinstalled it and worked ok

FYI if I could do it again the right way I would have lowered the steering column a bit so I had more room to negotiate with.

 

[storlied]

I did the same thing, pull the box outta the cluster and make sure the line is going along the groove and not to the side of it. Very easy to miss, and very frustrating to find once you've taken everything apart and put it back together..lol

 

[Joe Dirt]

^ been there, done that ^

That's why I just pop the gauges and remove it as one piece now. That shift indicator is a pain in the proverbial hootus.

 

[storlied]

Yeah I want to punch the guy who made it all this way... I honestly think that's the biggest pain when it comes to taking the cluster out and putting it back in.. that stupid box..

They should have a digital cluster upgrade for us. =P to an extent anyways.. I do like needles..

 

[YBCold]

yeah this happend in my first gen. i went to the junk yard to get a new cluster and they got it out and they broke the shifter indicator thing. i think it has like two 4 mm screws holding it to the cluster in the first gen atleast.

 

[storlied]

No screws for 2nd gen, just plastic clips..

 

[Joe Dirt]

It does take a few more minutes, but if you remove the gold torx screws to get the clear plastic cover off the gauges, then pop the gauges out, you can just lift the indicator hooked to the cable and take the cluster out, you don't even have to use/release the clips. The speedo/tach gauge just pins it to the cluster, so when you take the gauge out it's just laying in there loose. Saves a lot of headaches later...

When youre done with the cluster, lay the indicator back in place (no snapping clips), snap the speedo/tach gauge back on, the 2 side gauges, the trim rings, and the clear cover. Reinstall the gold torx screws, and you're golden.