Gauge repair

[Phil V]

Well, it is finally happening... I've been having an issue for the last two months where I my speed / rpm jumps around. The odometer also flickers. It's very annoying. Anyways I took apart my truck today and shipped the gauge cluster to Circuit Board Medics

https://circuitboardmedics.com/2004-2005-ford-explorer-sport-trac-instrument-cluster-repair/

Here is the link incase anyone needs it.

All in all it cost me $400 Canadian with the exchange rate and shipping, but I guess that's not as bad as it could be.

I opted for the LED upgrade so I'm hoping that looks nice. Going to take this opportunity to paint my gauge surround and radio bezel to match my truck

 

[EddieS'04]

Good deal..do they have a choice of led color?

 

[Phil V]

Unfortunately no choice of colour. But I do like the green / red combo of the dash.

It'd have been a much better deal if I lived in the States! $179 USD, free return shipping and it would have been much cheaper to send it there. Still not a bad deal though

 

[swshawaii]

Phil, I copied and pasted my reply from your "wheel spacer" thread in case you miss it. Thanks!

"Would appreciate some night pics of your clusters LED conversion after installation. Most, if not all LED conversions I've seen look unevenly lit and don't dim 100%. Also, and if not too much trouble, check to see what brand and type of LED's Circuit Board Medics used."

 

[Phil V]

I replied in the other thread, thanks Steve. I'll take pictures to show what type of LEDs were used and maybe see if I could source them from an online retailer for everyone's benefit. Nighttime pictures will be provided as well. I'm just as curious as you are.

Anyways here is the radio bezel which I painted. A couple imperfections but it turned out nice.

 

[Phil V]

Got the gauges back today. Exactly a weeks time. I got the LED upgrade which they promised would have an even distribution of light. Unfortunately you have to get the repair to get the LEDs as they soldered in diodes where the factory bulbs would go. Here is a night shot. I would say it is the perfect brightness and has an almost factory distribution of light. There are no hot spots but it does dim a little bit towards the ends of the needles. The colour is very nice though. I'm happy

Anyways, the gauges function flawlessly now, I would recommend Circuit Board Medics to anyone on here experiencing issues with their 04-05 gauge cluster. I have had a non functioning fuel gauge for 2 years now and assumed it was a problem in the tank because of a thread I read.

As you can see even that is fixed. One other thing to mention is they only put LEDs into the Fuel, Coolant temp, Tach, Speed, Oil and Battery gauges. Not the signals, engine lights or gear selector.

 

[swshawaii]

That's impressive Phil. Happen to see any markings on the lamps? Brand, model numbers, etc.

 

[Phil V]

I'm pretty pleased with it. The LEDs were soldered in where the factory bulbs would go. They were literally just 2 wires with a diode on the end of it. Could not remove to inspect them. So hopefully they outlast the truck...

 

[swshawaii]

OK, thanks. Guess I'll just stick with the 194LL incandescents for now.

 

[Phil V]

No problem. I really wish I could have helped out the community more on this one. It does look better than the incandescent bulbs but it isn't enough of a change to constitute seeking out LEDs for the cluster. I just figured I'd try it out rather than replace the 194s myself. Surprised not one had burnt out after 12-13 years

 

[EddieS'04]

Looks very nice, kudo's for your upgrade..

 

[Jacob Durham]

Just reinstalled my gauge cluster today after being repaired by Circuit Board Medics. I had every symptom they listed:
intermittent power failure to the gauges or odometer display issues - I had test gauges or sweep gauges messages. Other issues also include intermittent power to radio, power windows, or interior lighting. These all happened simultaneously.

Their service is exactly as advertised. No issues at all. All of my components are now functioning correctly.

 

[gbear]

I am getting ready to send my instrument cluster off to the circuit board medics for them to do their thing. One question I have for everyone here... did you include the gear selector when you sent the instrument cluster to them? I removed it so that I could get the instrument cluster out and I didnt want to remove the cable end of it (for fear that I would never get it realigned properly). I asked the cust svs person at CBM and they said sure go ahead and include it, but their answer didn't give me a confidence level that I could get from some of you all that have actually had this work done.
Thanks!

 

[Dmiranda1269]

Didn't send mine. No need to

 

[jshotsky]

I realize this is an older thread, but my sport trac now has the cluster problem, and I'm going to send it for repair. Only question I have is exactly how to you get the cluster out? 2005 Sport Trac Adrenalin

 

[DILLARD000]

I realize this is an older thread, but my sport trac now has the cluster problem, and I'm going to send it for repair. Only question I have is exactly how to you get the cluster out? 2005 Sport Trac Adrenalin

Pull the DashCenterPanel,
then the KneePanel below the Instrument Cluster,
then the TrimPanel around the InstrumentCluster,
then the InstrumentCluster...
HexDriver + mostly patience is required.

ToeBone is connected to the
FootBone is connected to the
AnkleBone is connected to the
LegBone is connected to the
HipBone is connected to the...

 

[swshawaii]

I realize this is an older thread, but my sport trac now has the cluster problem, and I'm going to send it for repair. Only question I have is exactly how to you get the cluster out? 2005 Sport Trac Adrenalin

Not Trac specific, but should be similar if not the same for cluster R&R. GL and keep us posted.

 

[swshawaii]

https://www.explorerforum.com/forum...cluster-removal-and-led-conversion-v2.240166/https://www.ranger-forums.com/inter...ow-replacing-instrument-cluster-lights-65263/