Install Of Gauge Pod From Merc. Mountaineer?

[Glacier991]

how about moving that thread over here so it can be put in the useful threads forum ?

 

[mikephotos]

Trust me guys, on the 02 (i can only confirm for the 02 as it's my model) the mileage is NOT stored in the gauge pod. 100% confirmed. Our mileage display is digital and it's stored in the vehicle itself (not sure where) but I repeat...IT IS NOT STORED IN THE GAUGE POD/CLUSTER. The mileage on my vehicle with the original pod was the exact same mileage when I switched over to the new (used) pod which had a lot less mileage than my vehicle. I DID NOT have to reprogram it or do anything but unplug the old and plug in the new.

Older models that have the non-digital mileage read-out of course are 'stored' in the cluster.

Mike

 

[fromme]

I bought an 03 Limited this weekend. My in-laws have a Mountaineer and I always like that gauge cluster. Please clarify for me....I can simply take a Mountaineer cluster and directly swap it into my Limited, right? No other wiring or swapping? I have the message center in my cluster. I was hoping it would be that easy.

 

[davidmmm69]

what about the anti theft codes.. did you get the codes from the explorer the cluster was in..
i know on some you need the vin number to have the dealer recover them if you do not have some anti theft codes..

 

[mikephotos]

I bought an 02 Limited this weekend. My in-laws have a Mountaineer and I always like that gauge cluster. Please clarify for me....I can simple take a Mountaineer cluster and directly swap it into my Limited, right? No other wiring or swapping? I have the message center in my cluster. I was hoping it would be that easy.

Yes. If you have the Message Center in your X and the Mountaineer has the Message Center then it's a simply swap. It's as easy as removing the dash pieces as outlined in my write-up and unplugging the 3 connections. Pull out the X gauges and replace with the Mount gauges then put everything back together. As easy as that. I would of course test the gauges before everything back together.

what about the anti theft codes.. did you get the codes from the explorer the cluster was in..
i know on some you need the vin number to have the dealer recover them if you do not have some anti theft codes..

I didn't mess with any anti-theft codes or anything like that. Just swapped the gauge clusters and start the car, that was it.

Mike

 

[Garfield]

Wow, that website is very professional looking and well done! Your gauges look great too!

 

[davidmmm69]

well then they all must not be the same .... cause I just got off the phone with the dealer and they verified that the mileage needs to be set and also there are some codes on some that need to be reset..

My new one just got shipped.It just got pulled from a 2004 with less than half the mileage that i have .. and the dealer told me I would need to have them reset it.
I understand on yours it didn;t have to be done. but as they concur to me not all are the same...
will let you know what happens when i get it and install it..

 

[mikephotos]

The dealer also told me the keypad door codes were not stored in the car and you must have them pull it for you from the computer for $95.00. Well, we all know that's a load of B.S. (see my write-up on the location of the keypad code).

If I were you, I would ignore them and try it out yourself when you get the new gauge cluster. It's VERY easy to test. Just follow my write-up on how to remove it and just plug in the new cluster. If the mileage is wrong (which I doubt) then just put everything back as-is and let the dealer work on it for you. However, I'm sure when you plug the new cluster in you'll see the exact mileage you had on there with the old cluster. It did for mine...

Of course I can't guarantee this because I can only say for sure if you are using a 2003 Mountaineer Cluster on a 2002 Explorer which is what I had done. Your 2004 cluster might be different, who knows?

Before you pay $$$ to the stealership, test it yourself...it's easy!

Mike

 

[mikephotos]

Wow, that website is very professional looking and well done! Your gauges look great too!

Thanks Garfield!

Mike

 

[davidmmm69]

i am hoping to keep the mileage from the newgauge cluster.

 

[fromme]

Where's a good source for mail order on these things? Ebay doesn't have any right now.

 

[davidmmm69]

I will have one extra at the end of the week.

 

[fromme]

I sent you a PM.

 

[mikephotos]

i am hoping to keep the mileage from the newgauge cluster.

Not sure that can be done. You would have to have the dealer reprogram the car with a new mileage amount which is, uh, against the law AFAIK. Sorta the digital verison of turning back the dials...

Mike

 

[fromme]

You guys that are skeptical, need to think of the instrument panel kind of as a computer monitor. The computer is separate and holds/stores/ sends information. The panel is merely a readout of the information being sent. It stores absolutely nothing and has no coding or programs. This is referring to the late model digital panels of course.

 

[davidmmm69]

i will not believe it until I see it.

I had the option of them loading my mileage in before I bought it.
that is all I am saying. and this is from people who sell these daily..
I am assuming yours is differnet than what I have.
so I hope...

 

[davidmmm69]

this is some of the info from the people who sell these daily...

" THE “KEY CODES”(PATS)HAVE BEEN “CLEARED” SO YOU CAN PROGRAM THE CLUSTER TO YOUR TRUCK USING THE EASY “DO IT YOURSELF” DIRECTIONS FURNISHED WITH THE CLUSTER.YOU MUST HAVE TWO SEPERATE IGNITION KEYS THAT CURRENTLY START YOUR TRUCK TO SELF PROGRAM. IF YOU PURCHASE A USED CLUSTER THAT HAS NOT HAD THE CODES CLEARED, YOUR TRUCK WON'T START."

here is the other one i was looking at,

"I HAVE FOR SALE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER WITHOUT MESSAGE CENTER PRODUCTION DATE OF TRUCK BEFORE 3/4/2002
MILEAGE WILL BE SET TO BUYERS SPECIFICATIONS AND IS INCLUDED IN THE SALE."

another different one
"We are unable to supply Anti-Theft Codes, your invoice will include the VIN# which you will need to show to the dealer to recover the code."

 

[mikephotos]

Interesting, but I did NONE of the above. Simply replaced the with the new cluster and started the car. No problems at all. Mileage was the same without any new programming. The person I bought the cluster from did not ask me my mileage or had it "cleared" in anyway. Sounds like they are getting a few extra $$ from customers that aren't aware. They say they'll set your mileage but there's nothing to set, at least not for the 02/03 Explorer and Mountaineers. 04's might be different but I doubt it?

Mike

 

[mikephotos]

Just to add...

I know some other guys that did the same mod so I asked them on another forum if they had any problems or had to reprogram/clear the gauges. Here's the question I asked and the answers:

QUESTION:
"Brad, just a quick question. I didn't have a problem with the mileage needing to be reprogrammed or any anti-theft work needed. Was that the same for you? I just plugged in the new gauges and it worked. Was that the same experience you had? "

FIRST REPLY:
"Yes, I didn't have any problems with anything, Just plugged it in and it all worked.
I am glad you didn't have any problems doing the install."

SECOND REPLY:
"Good job. I like them and Mike's site I am checking your site sometime.
I didn't have any problems, too. "

So, while I can't say for sure you won't have any problems (please let us know) it's good to hear that I'm not the only one that just swapped-and-played

Mike

 

[davidmmm69]

that will sure make me mad if that is the case.
I hope they did not lie to me..