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06-25-2014, 09:22 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
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My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
Im driving an 08 5.4L. We noticed a 2 yr old battery couldnt maintain a charge so we swapped it out. New battery - same problem.
So it goes to the shop and the diagnosis is the 'cluster' behind the dash is bad. I'm told (by a mechanic I trust) that he can measure a drain on the battery as it sits turned off. When he disconnects the cluster, the battery no longer is being used.
Its a $1,000 factory part that cant be bought anywhere in AZ.
Anyone heard of this?
__________________
Phoenix Arizona
2008 E-150 5.4L w/Quigley. Vangator II Wheelchair lift,
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06-25-2014, 09:25 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SE Washington
Posts: 1,028
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
It must be the instrument panel. I think it has something like a computer in it as well. Maybe get one from a wrecking yard?
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2009 E250 RB 5.4L "SilVan"
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06-25-2014, 09:34 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,242
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhally
It must be the instrument panel. I think it has something like a computer in it as well. Maybe get one from a wrecking yard?
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That would be my guess too but the instrument cluster includes odometer so wouldn't you get a tamper light or something if you plugged a different one into your van, and also incorrect odometer?
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06-25-2014, 10:14 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: boise idaho
Posts: 2,625
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
i didnt get any lights when i swapped out my cluster and i actually kept my odometer from the original cluster as well so the miliage is accurate.
i bought my cluster from ebay, but found quite a few on www.car-parts.com prior. its a parts locator that salvage yards around the nation utilize. you can get stuff dirt cheap if you take the time to call all the places that dont list prices. they either dont care about going rates, or dont know. either way, it works out well for the end user.
__________________
"understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of your car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of your car, horsepower is how hard your car hits the wall, and torque is how far your car moves the wall."
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06-25-2014, 11:37 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,242
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
Shenrie, just curious, so what you're saying is the odometer part separates from the rest of the cluster? That's pretty cool if so. Seems like most people I've heard about get a tamper light, but I have no personal experience with it.
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06-26-2014, 06:34 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: boise idaho
Posts: 2,625
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
newer clusters might have a tamper light, but my van is a 03 and i used a 99 cluster and neither had any kind of light to the best of my knowledge. I did the swap solely to gain the tachometer. I hadnt had any issues with the cluster prior.
and ya, the actual odometer is removable and swapable between the two. its a trickier procedure, but i read about another member doing the swap in the homebuild section and decided to give it a try. i pmed him for some specifics, gathered some wiring diagrams, and went to town.
__________________
"understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of your car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of your car, horsepower is how hard your car hits the wall, and torque is how far your car moves the wall."
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06-26-2014, 07:20 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Posts: 3,774
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
Given the nature of the clusters I can easily see how it would cause a battery-draining parasitic draw if it fails internally.
There is a compatibility issue with clusters to the degree they need to be within a few years of one another, donor to replaced part that is to say. I know Ford says we MUST swap in the exact dealer-bought cluster in order for it to be right but that's just not true. eBay has a ton of suitable clusters, most under $100 with some sort of performance warranty---its worth a try.
The odometers can indeed be swapped between different clusters--here's a link to FTE wherein I've dissected and successfully re-assembled a '99 cluster: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/11...r-anatomy.html I hear even the digital display versions (beginning M/Y '04 or '05?) are very similar to the dial type odometers, can be potentially swapped out in a similar fashion.
HTH
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06-28-2014, 11:40 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
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Re: My 'cluster' is dead. Uh....whats that?
In the end I'm spending $550 for a new OEM cluster and $250 in labor. Not a part is want to be dealing with out in the sticks.
I did find the cluster fuse so this weekend we'll park and disconnect. We are at Lockett Meadow (AZ) if anyone sees a Qvan with hood up.
__________________
Phoenix Arizona
2008 E-150 5.4L w/Quigley. Vangator II Wheelchair lift,
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