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SportTrac Discussion
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Truck goes crazy when key is out of the ignition, Instrument cluster goes on and off, beeps, ...but I don't think it's the actual instrument cluster.
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<blockquote data-quote="Evox" data-source="post: 1041701" data-attributes="member: 74754"><p>I'm now guessing it's <strong>not</strong> the PCM; it's the cluster. I caught it this afternoon, and while it did its thing, I got through every relay and fuse in F1 and F2.</p><p></p><p>Fuse 2-25 (Cluster, 4x4 module) stops everything - which cuts all power to the gauges and message center. I guess it could be 2-26, 2-27, or one of the other fuses feeding the cluster, but pulling those didn't stop anything. Only Fuse 2-25 worked.</p><p></p><p></p><p>So it's probably the instrument cluster or a short-to-ground along G300's path. But G300's mounting point looks pristine. The ground wire and the wire bundle all look good and fresh, and G300 grounds a lot of stuff, so it'd be really unusual only to cause a fault in Fuse 2-25 without it just being some bizarre circuit board problem. So, I'm not hopeful this a simple ground.</p><p></p><p>More than likely, it yet another bizarre manifestation of the instrument cluster failure. This really is a pain, and one I don't understand since this one actually only energizes after ignition is off. In comparison, driving no faults, no flaky gauges, nothing. Only when off does this one come to life. I've scoured the internet to find another example of cold breaks or faulty instrument clusters causing this kind of error and can find none. Most manifest while driving.</p><p></p><p>Fuse 2-25 is one of several fuses to the cluster and looking at the wiring diagram. It could be a lot of stuff because Fuse 2-25 is one of the few on my RWD Sport Trac that goes directly to the cluster (no 4x4 module to worry about). So I'm guessing it's the cluster <strong><em>again</em></strong>. Maybe I'll get lucky, take the cluster out, and find a cold break I can resolder something obvious. It's just that this makes absolutely no sense to me unless it's not a cold break, and instead, it's a bad diode, switch, or microprocessor on the board. ...that's way above my pay grade. </p><p></p><p>It could be F2-25's wire leading to the cluster plugs. But after tearing apart my wiring, I don't think that's likely. The max draw during its glitching is 1.4 amps, so not enough to blow Fuse 2-25, which is 7.5 amps. It's also a strong indication that it's not the PCM, which I think draws 3 amps on start.</p><p></p><p>The wires just on a causal look all look good. I guess there might be an outside chance that one of the relays in the Auxilary Relay box is faulting in a closed position. But it's not in F1 or F2; all those fuses and relays check out. I don't think Fuse 2-25 powers any of the relays in the auxiliary relay box, but I'd need to do more homework to rule one way or another. There is an outside chance it could be one of the auxiliary relays. Or, perhaps one of the fusible links...but I don't think so. </p><p></p><p></p><p>PS: Everything I just wrote may sound like I have a handle on this. <strong><em>I don't. </em></strong> I'm open to suggestions and ideas. Thanks.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Evox, post: 1041701, member: 74754"] I'm now guessing it's [B]not[/B] the PCM; it's the cluster. I caught it this afternoon, and while it did its thing, I got through every relay and fuse in F1 and F2. Fuse 2-25 (Cluster, 4x4 module) stops everything - which cuts all power to the gauges and message center. I guess it could be 2-26, 2-27, or one of the other fuses feeding the cluster, but pulling those didn't stop anything. Only Fuse 2-25 worked. So it's probably the instrument cluster or a short-to-ground along G300's path. But G300's mounting point looks pristine. The ground wire and the wire bundle all look good and fresh, and G300 grounds a lot of stuff, so it'd be really unusual only to cause a fault in Fuse 2-25 without it just being some bizarre circuit board problem. So, I'm not hopeful this a simple ground. More than likely, it yet another bizarre manifestation of the instrument cluster failure. This really is a pain, and one I don't understand since this one actually only energizes after ignition is off. In comparison, driving no faults, no flaky gauges, nothing. Only when off does this one come to life. I've scoured the internet to find another example of cold breaks or faulty instrument clusters causing this kind of error and can find none. Most manifest while driving. Fuse 2-25 is one of several fuses to the cluster and looking at the wiring diagram. It could be a lot of stuff because Fuse 2-25 is one of the few on my RWD Sport Trac that goes directly to the cluster (no 4x4 module to worry about). So I'm guessing it's the cluster [B][I]again[/I][/B]. Maybe I'll get lucky, take the cluster out, and find a cold break I can resolder something obvious. It's just that this makes absolutely no sense to me unless it's not a cold break, and instead, it's a bad diode, switch, or microprocessor on the board. ...that's way above my pay grade. It could be F2-25's wire leading to the cluster plugs. But after tearing apart my wiring, I don't think that's likely. The max draw during its glitching is 1.4 amps, so not enough to blow Fuse 2-25, which is 7.5 amps. It's also a strong indication that it's not the PCM, which I think draws 3 amps on start. The wires just on a causal look all look good. I guess there might be an outside chance that one of the relays in the Auxilary Relay box is faulting in a closed position. But it's not in F1 or F2; all those fuses and relays check out. I don't think Fuse 2-25 powers any of the relays in the auxiliary relay box, but I'd need to do more homework to rule one way or another. There is an outside chance it could be one of the auxiliary relays. Or, perhaps one of the fusible links...but I don't think so. PS: Everything I just wrote may sound like I have a handle on this. [B][I]I don't. [/I][/B] I'm open to suggestions and ideas. Thanks. [/QUOTE]
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SportTrac Discussion
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Truck goes crazy when key is out of the ignition, Instrument cluster goes on and off, beeps, ...but I don't think it's the actual instrument cluster.
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