Question about Message Center in 2002 Exp

[jbt56]

This is my first question for the forum. I very recently bought a clean '02 Explorer Limited V8. Although it has high miles, it runs and drives great. My question regards the Message Center, containing the odometer, etc. In mine, I can just barely read the green numbers, they're so dim (in daylight). At night, the display is more visible. Is dimming of those LEDs a common problem, or is there some sort of fix? The dimmer action, BTW, works properly on the entire dash.
Appreciate any insights.

 

[zpn_by]

Not sure but there may be a bulb in the lcd housing. Maybe someone else can help out? SILLY QUESTION: is your dimmer wheel at the headlight switch all the way up?

 

[Donystoy]

There was a tread a while back about having to take the dash apart and re-solder some connections on the back of the board. I have to do this job myself one of these days. I think this is it.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217490

 

[jbt56]

Not sure but there may be a bulb in the lcd housing. Maybe someone else can help out? SILLY QUESTION: is your dimmer wheel at the headlight switch all the way up?

Yep. That's what I meant by saying the dash dimmer function works fine.

There was a tread a while back about having to take the dash apart and re-solder some connections on the back of the board. I have to do this job myself one of these days. I think this is it.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217490

Thanks; this seems like exactly what I need to do- I just need to decide if it's worth the time!

 

[zpn_by]

Sorry JBT - was late at night when I read that one.

 

[jbt56]

No problem! In any case, I always check the (ridiculously) simple stuff first. It's amazing how many issues turn out to be nothing but adjustments, etc. Not so lucky with this one, though.

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard!!

I was having a similar problem with my display. I didn't have an issue with it being dim. Sometimes it was lit and sometimes it wasn't. Often times when lit, it wouldn't update.

I repaired the solder joints and now all is well.

I used this thread to remove the cluster: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218636

I used this thread to repair the clusters: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217490

Good luck getting it sorted.

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!