Instrument Cluster Going Crazy

[Broke(n)]

So the past few weeks my instrument cluster has been going crazy.
Today I metered my battery and fuses (panel inside) all check out.
Is my cluster panel going bad? Perhaps another fuse or relay under the hood I need to check?

What you see in video happens every time I start the truck. It never has the issue while driving. Just at start up.

View My Video

 

[TechGuru]

Looks similar to what it does when I run the diagnostics test in ForScan.

I would hook ForScan up to it and run the test and see if it comes up with any errors.

 

[Number4]

The cluster is affected by signals coming from the PCM.

My cluster was acting up due to the signal wire coming from the alternator. Testing at the battery showed correct voltage. But using my Ultra-Gauge, the PCM voltage was erratic.
I disassembled the alternator plug, cleaned it up and all has been fine since.

Yours may not be alternator related, but something like my Ultra-Gauge, probably ForScan as well, should be able to test the PCM voltage.

 

[lucasred]

UltraGauge

I had never heard of the UltraGauge before so I looked it up.
It looks pretty slick. Especially the wireless model.
I didn't notice Voltage as one of the things it would monitor. Does it monitor voltage or how were you able to use it to figure out a fluctuation in PCM voltage?
Thanks for the info. I think I'm gonna have to get one of these.
Please let me know about voltage monitoring or what you used for the PCM diagnosis.
Jim

 

[Number4]

I had never heard of the UltraGauge before so I looked it up.
It looks pretty slick. Especially the wireless model.
I didn't notice Voltage as one of the things it would monitor. Does it monitor voltage or how were you able to use it to figure out a fluctuation in PCM voltage?
Thanks for the info. I think I'm gonna have to get one of these.
Please let me know about voltage monitoring or what you used for the PCM diagnosis.
Jim

It allows you to read PCM voltage as well as UltraGauge voltage. The UltraGauge voltage must be a pass through voltage as opposed to the PCM voltage. Before I cleaned the connector, the two didn't match. After cleaning it, the PCM voltage matched the UltraGauge voltage and the cluster stopped malfunctioning. (the PCM voltage kept going way up and then way down, when I tested the voltage at the battery, it was steady and in spec.)

I like the wireless version, but it'll get in the way of the emergency brake lever. The standard version doesn't, with a little help, doesn't.

Their new model reads trans temp.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3479271#post3479271

 

[TechGuru]

Meh, Use ForScan, it's free and does almost as much as a Ford dealer service computer including PATS (key) programming.

http://forscan.org/documentation_13.html

http://forscan.org/download/FORScanSetup2.2.8.beta.exe

and the adapter you'll need (Only $25)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZWM0R4

 

[Number4]

Meh, Use ForScan, it's free and does almost as much as a Ford dealer service computer including PATS (key) programming.

http://forscan.org/documentation_13.html

http://forscan.org/download/FORScanSetup2.2.8.beta.exe

and the adapter you'll need (Only $25)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZWM0R4

I do like that, keep saying I'm going to get it, but its configuration isn't good for everyday use while driving.

Hey [MENTION=271143]Broke(n)[/MENTION], where'd you go? We're getting off topic here.

 

[Broke(n)]

Sorry, got a nasty head cold with bad sinus congestion and pressure ... uuugggg!

Anyway. Could this be it? I took this reading about a month ago because of my ABS light but it also gave me this code but didnt look into it. I can run FORScan again but I'm pretty sure this issue was happening when I ran this scan.

===IC DTC B2659-20===
Code: B2659 - Courtesy Switch Fault

Status:
- Previously Set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Instrument Cluster

===END IC DTC B2659-20===

===IC DTC B1352-20===
Code: B1352 - Ignition key in circuit fault

Status:
- Previously Set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Instrument Cluster

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

Ignition key in circuit fault

--- Possible Causes --------
This DTC can be generated by:

-Open Key-In Ignition Switch circuit
- Battery short Key-In Ignition Switch circuit
- Battery short Ignition Switch RUN/ACCY circuit
- Suspect Ignition Switch
- Suspect Lighting Control Module.

===END IC DTC B1352-20===

===RCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Restraint Control Module

===END RCM DTC None===