Dash cluster

[DNFXDLI]

I have a friend who has a 2006 F350....from what he told me, some solder joints let go on the dash cluster which rendered the windows/locks inoperative....does this sound like a symptom of a failing dash cluster?

He says that he replaced it with a used one...however was told that since the serial numbers didn't match between the truck and the new used dash that it might not work for long....which has now been the case.

It seems a bit fishy to me...shouldn't a dash cluster interchange?

 

[Sparky83]

the newer clusters had ID chips in the boards that the computers would read when the keys switched to on. Downside is if the clusters swapped the computer freaks out thinking its been stolen and swapped with parts from another vehicle to fraud their customers... which 2 ways they get around this security feature... for one they can just reprogram the computer to recognize the new cluster.. the other trick (most mustang guys figured this one out) you can swap the small board on the cluster that the computer "checks" against tricking it into thinking the stock clusters still in instead of an aftermarket one and also solves the problem...

 

[DNFXDLI]

Thanks Shawn..it's not an aftermarket cluster, just another from the wreckers of the same year.

Can Ford reprogram it?

 

[Sparky83]

Thanks Shawn..it's not an aftermarket cluster, just another from the wreckers of the same year.

Can Ford reprogram it?

they still have individual ID's.. its like the serial/vin number the vehicle.. even vehicle to vehicle they can have different ID's on the boards...

supposedly they can.. that or there reprogramming the computer itself to accept the new cluster... not sure which way that goes..

 

[DNFXDLI]

Ok...thanks.

 

[Sparky83]

np ........

 

[blacksnapon]

I have a friend who has a 2006 F350....from what he told me, some solder joints let go on the dash cluster which rendered the windows/locks inoperative....does this sound like a symptom of a failing dash cluster?

He says that he replaced it with a used one...however was told that since the serial numbers didn't match between the truck and the new used dash that it might not work for long....which has now been the case.

It seems a bit fishy to me...shouldn't a dash cluster interchange?

Looking at the wiring diagrams, there is no connection between the locks and instrument cluster. Other than through the accessory delay relay, and the battery saver relay that get fed through the microprocessor in the cluster. Its primarily for the lights though.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Looking at the wiring diagrams, there is no connection between the locks and instrument cluster. Other than through the accessory delay relay, and the battery saver relay that get fed through the microprocessor in the cluster. Its primarily for the lights though.

Thanks Vince.....does it show anything that Shawn mentioned?

 

[Sparky83]

http://www.simcoaftermarket.com/assets/pdf/2024-7xx/simco_2024-7xx_install.pdf

the instructions here for the simco clusters talk about the board that needs switched.. listed as figure 10. but like i said i know this is part of the 99-04 mustangs dash clusters... id assume they did the same thing with the trucks clusters as well seeing as theyre based off a similar design. chips supposedly built into the speedos circuit board...

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/v6-tech/352657-instrument-cluster-question.html

also discussed here... its part of the PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) system...

 

[DNFXDLI]

Thanks again Shawn!

 

[Sparky83]

no problem mate... Like i said i dunno if the SD trucks use something similar or not.. i know their clusters similar in design.. but dont know how closely they mirror the mustangs... I tend to remote start my truck so have never paid attention to the lights lol

 

[DNFXDLI]

I just want to help out my buddy...poor bastard had this truck stolen at one point and has had nothing but bad luck with it.

 

[Sparky83]

ouch... i hate theives for that very reason...

 

[blacksnapon]

Thanks Vince.....does it show anything that Shawn mentioned?

Not sure about the swap differences, but whenever we change an instrument cluster we do an "inhale/exhale". Download the information, then upload after the installation. Or reprogram with as built data.

 

[DNFXDLI]

After talking with him today, seems he has the original cluster...so if he takes this into Ford, they should be able to do a download/upload?

 

[blacksnapon]

After talking with him today, seems he has the original cluster...so if he takes this into Ford, they should be able to do a download/upload?

They should be able to. Or program with as built data.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Thanks again Vince