Hi F-150 fans. I just bought an almost flawless, 2005, standard XL, 4.2L V6, reg cab, Mexican-made model, which in VIN terms equals the American-made 2002 XL model.

Almost flawless, as I said, because the only issue detected is a classic 97-2003 F-150's instrument cluster malfunctioning, where odometer goes blank first, then the whole panel goes crazy for a couple of seconds. After that, everything comes back to normal. Should I say that when this happens, the rest of the vehicle keeps running perfectly normal.

Well now, having read most of the readings available online on the subject, I'm convinced that the $600+ bill of having the complete instrument panel replaced, can be dodged.

But instead of repairing the bad solder connections on the circuit board, as most of solutions point out, I was thinking on having the whole circuit board replaced.

My question is:

Would this DIY solution affect in any way the data kept on the PCM and/or the HEC?

Thank you already.

 

Has far as I know No it will not effect the saved data as the only thing you are touching\soddering are the contacts for the digital display.

 

That's exactly what I thought. Thank you Hybris for your post.

 

you asked two questions. the repairs will not effect the stored data... but if you get a new board or cluster, that will not work without the dealer flashing the computer.

 

Do the solder fix first...its free.....It will only cost you a little bit of your time. I did it on my 01 and it worked just like everyone said it would!
Rich

 

Thanks to steve(ill) and 96f150. I will go for the repair first. Still, I'd like to have a backup plan: that will be the spare circuit board (not the whole instrument cluster).

steve(ill): are you positive on the computer-flashing requirement if I only replace the circuit board?

Thanks again.

 

Thanks to steve(ill) and 96f150. I will go for the repair first. Still, I'd like to have a backup plan: that will be the spare circuit board (not the whole instrument cluster).

steve(ill): are you positive on the computer-flashing requirement if I only replace the circuit board?

Thanks again.

 

Went to a Ford dealer, they instantly told me that the instrument cluster had to be replaced. Cost: $2,000 (with the installation service). Of course, didn't say yes. Then drove downtown to a shop called (in Spanish) "Instrument Cluster Clinic". The first day they found a couple of bad solder joints on the Panel Circuit Board. Repaired them but the panel cluster was still malfunctioning. After two more days of testings, they finally tried replacing what they called a "voltage regulator" to the instrument panel. Bingo! Total cost: $150 (with 6 months warranty).

No comments.

Case closed. Thanks to everyone.