Instrument Cluster Replacement

ANNELIESE

MEMBER
2008 FORD ESCAPE
4WD
AUTOMATIC
185,000 MILES

Hi, my instrument cluster has stopped working due to the wiring harness behind it on the green part being loose, so I am assuming I need to replace my instrument cluster as I don't know how to secure the harness better. My question is simply can I replace my instrument cluster with a second hand one if the same year, make, model etc without having to bring it to a shop to have it reprogrammed? Will just the odometer be off or will I need to reprogram my keys?

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Hello,

The cluster is like a piece of the computer it will need to be reprogrammed for your vehicle in most cases though I have seen some self initialize. Here is how you remove the cluster. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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Monday, February 2nd, 2015 AT 6:21 AM

MSTRUAX04

MEMBER
1 POST
2008 FORD ESCAPE
2.3L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
143,000 MILES

My instrument cluster keeps going in and out on me when ever it feels like it. I did not notice it until after I had the speed torque sensor replaced on recall. So my real question is, is that just a bad cluster or did something happen to it when the speed torque sensor was replaced?

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Friday, March 1st, 2019 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

It may be a bad cluster or it may not be plugged in all the way I would check that prior to having it checked for a bad cluster.

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Friday, March 1st, 2019 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)

ANDREW ZANNETTI

MEMBER
1 POST

I am having a similar issue. My instrument cluster lights will come on and my gauges (except the fuel gauge) will drop to zero sometimes when I am driving. It seems that heat has something to do with it because on cool morning I do not have any issue until driving for about 30 minutes. Also if the car sits in the sun for the day and I go to drive it the same issue persists. If I use my AC through the feet then the lights will go off. Could this be a resistor issue in the relay?

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Friday, September 27th, 2019 AT 2:30 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,057 POSTS

This sounds more like the cluster needs to be replaced due to an internal short. The cool makes it last longer before the short can take place. Here is a video of the job being done on a similar car with diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

Be sure to give your mileage when getting the cluster rebuilt it should cost about $140.00 Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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