Crazy Dashboard Instrument Cluster Failure with Click Sound

[Ross Newton]

I'm having similar issues as a lot of folks with the instrument cluster in my 2004 Sport Trac XLS (original owner). For the last two years the dashboard instruments have slowly started failing. It started with the digital odometer occasionally flickering. Now the odometer flickers intermittently along with the tachometer and all the other dials losing power and then regaining power - basically waving back and forth. All the issues are intermittent meaning sometimes everything is 100% fine and other times everything is wacky. I can push on the plastic screen sometimes and it will cause everything to work. Additionally, sometimes the radio unit loses power and is accompanied by the instrument cluster failing with the digital odometer reading "DIAG MODE" and loud rapid clicking sound coming from the dashboard. The digital odometer also often reads "CHECK FUEL CAP" intermittently.



Over the course of the two years I've replaced my battery and my alternator (because it was failing) and neither corrected the problem. My mechanic has pulled the instrument cluster three times, given it to a specialist, who checked the solders, etc., and gave it a thumbs up, and it always fails upon reinstalling. The latest update is that is needs a new circuit board which is awaiting arrival from Japan.



Has anyone had any luck fixing this? Anyone used the online instrument cluster repair shops that you send the cluster to by mail? Anyone put in a new/salvage cluster?



Just curious to get it fixed. I find it annoying, but everything drives fine, so I guess I can keep on using it. Though it slowly seems to get worse. The latest is now the fuel indicator is totally dead every other drive I take. So I'm just waiting for that to completely fail which will be really annoying. :angry: :banghead:



Thanks all! This forum is great. :banana:

 

[Richard Toms]

How many miles do you have on the factory cluster? I have a 2004 factory cluster and it has yet to fail. I am sure it will, as my cluster on my 95 ranger, has failed about 10 times.



Back the ST. I have about 187,000 miles with no problems yet with the cluster.

 

[fishnmaine]

Yup mine did the same total panel failure. But it did different things than yours. Other people had other different issues.

I held on for 2 years. So finally broke down and got one at the dealers.. And they are remanufactured. With a $300 core charge if you decided to keep your old one. These clusters are notoris for failure. 04 and 05.

 

[Ross Newton]

I'm right at 150K miles.



Just an update: So the radio power kept failing and the clicking kept getting worse and finally my battery light came on, so I tested it. It was the alternator. Replaced that myself and the radio-power failing and clicking went away... it's no longer losing power, so that must have been happening because of the alternator.



The dashboard is still wacky though - dials are all over the place. The fuel gauge almost never works and now the seatbelt bell and light ring for about five minutes straight every time I start the truck... very annoying! At least it stops after a few minutes. It's like the dashboard is slowly deteriorating. :banghead:



I may try to pull it out and send it away.