Dash gauges

Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD CONTOUR
  • 100,000 MILES
I just bought a 98 Contour (4 cylinder). The three gauges in the dash don't function. The fuel gauge seems to be stuck in the full position, the speedometer don't work and the temp gauge spike to the red zone immediately after turning the key on. The car is not over heating even though the gauge says it is. I replaced the thermostat today and that didn't work, then I realized that the gauge was moving to the red zone before the motor was even running. I'm stumped, I cant help but feel all three dash gauges are plaged with the same problem, I find and fix that problem and all three will function again. Any suggestions?
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 AT 6:13 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
The cluster has failed. You will have to replace the unit

roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Roy, by cluster, do you mean the entire component that holds and houses the speedometer, oil pressure gage and fuel gauge? If so, I picked one up at the salvage yard today and it did the same exact thing, which leads me to believe that that isn't the problem. Please tell me that "Cluster" is something else. Thank you.

Warren
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
No, that was the cluster.

I am going to check to see if you have to have it flashed. Cannot interchange units from another car

roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Well actually, that makes perfect sense, if it does have to be flashed, can any Ford Dealership do it, or where can I have it done?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, the dealer.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 5:58 PM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Thank you, I will give them a call tomorrow, I do appreciate it very much!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Ok, I went in to the dealership today and they said that it was just plug and play, no reprograming was required for that year. He did mention the ECU or something like that but told me that it would cost me 120 bucks to put it on the machine to tell me for sure. I did install another ECU and that didn't do the trick either. Other than putting it on the machine, any suggestions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, May 10th, 2013 AT 3:48 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Instrument Cluster Gauge Engine Temperature Content

VIEW MORE