'03 Instrument Cluster goes dead

[dezgie]

I have an '03 F250 Super Duty 6.0 liter Diesel. The instrument cluster went dead, all gauges. Took it back to dealer and they replaced a fuse. 2 weeks later the same thing happens, instrument cluster goes dead, all gauges. Truck still drives fine when this happens. What could be causing this fuse to keep blowing? Only thing not stock on this is a brand new Prodigy electronic brake controller.

[Jake]

It could be the wires in your shifter shorting out. Assuming yours in an auto of course. Take the covers off the steering column and check the wires going thru the shifter at the point near the pivot point of the shifter.

I hope that makes sense, its 4:15 am where i am and im really tired.

[dezgie]

Yah, that makes sense and that's what we've read from several different people. The dealer tried to blame the brake controller, and the 1st time I didn't argue to hard as I didn't have all the facts. This time I'm going in armed and this problem will be resolved and they will absorb the cost :-D. Thanks for your help!

[Jake]

The brake controller shouldn't cause that. That should be on a fuse of its own, so even if that fuse did pop, the only thing affected would be the trailer brakes and the controller.

[crazyatvdude09]

What number was the fuse that blew?

[dezgie]

It was fuse #46. Ours is a little odd, our fuse numbers do not correlate to the diagram in the Owner's manual. By most accounts it should have been fuse #45. On our '03 #45 is open, and it's #46 that blew. We did argue with the dealership that the only fuse the brake controller should have blown was the one controlling it and the trailer brakes. They grudgingly gave in but this time I know what I'm talking about and it will get fix right if I have to go there and supervise it myself :-). It's just irritating that we have to do all the research to diagnose a problem they are refusing to admit exists. I'm no mechanic, I should not have to tell them exactly where the problem is, that's what they supposedly get paid for.

[dezgie]

Jake thanks for the input. The dealership again failed to find the problem despite the fact that I told them exactly what to take apart and exactly where to look, and what to look for. They did nothing, shifted it a few times and claimed there was no problem and tried to bill us. My husband took the case off and found the bare wires exactly where you said, we can't thank you enough. We put some red electrical tape around it for now and I will be contacting the dealership and demanding a more permanent fix. I figured with the red tape they can't miss it lol.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by dezgie

Jake thanks for the input. The dealership again failed to find the problem despite the fact that I told them exactly what to take apart and exactly where to look, and what to look for. They did nothing, shifted it a few times and claimed there was no problem and tried to bill us. My husband took the case off and found the bare wires exactly where you said, we can't thank you enough. We put some red electrical tape around it for now and I will be contacting the dealership and demanding a more permanent fix. I figured with the red tape they can't miss it lol.

Your welcome. On mine I just taped the wires up individually where they wore through, then put a few extra layers of tape over it to protect it. Been fine ever since.

[joemcmillen]

To all on this post/thread, WELL DONE!!!!!!!! I too had the same problem with instrument cluster failure and started wading through the service manual. On a hunch, I came to this forum and typed in instrument cluster and ureka. #46 fuse was blown, the tow/haul wires through the shift arm were chaffed through. All fixed now and I never even thought about the dealer (well a little maybe). I owe a fast turn on this repair to you.