Help a girl out here...Instrument Cluster...

[RedneckGirl]

It really makes me wonder if it is the alternator now...it would make sense.

We were sent on a wild goose chase after my truck threw the code for low fuel pump output. The Ex died in the middle of an intersection yet started about 3 minutes later. It ran fine until I parked it, but the check engine light came on. I ran the DTC and decided instead of being stranded 200 miles from home in the middle of nowhere on my way back, I'd replace the fuel pump. I did so in the parking lot of the hospital in the 100 degree heat. That was fun

It drove home fine, and the other half insisted that I replace he fuel filter. So, we did. The next morning I drove to work (a whole 9 miles) and the Ex used 1/4 of a tank of fuel. Now, I could smell diesel, but the inside of the truck smelled like diesel because of the changing of the fuel pump and me wearing some of the fuel (I got the pump changed with all the wrong tools-I had no way of pinching off lines!). The truck was running just fine, but I noticed a mist on the back glass. Needless to say the fuel filter hadn't seated right. Hubby left an O-ring down inside where the filter goes so it didn't seat right and created a fuel fountain under the hood.

The truck 2 days later started acting like it had weak batteries. Then, it died. This whole mess destroyed the alternator-it failed every test in less than 6 seconds. So, we replaced the alternator. Ever since then, and NOT before, has the battery light done its on/off stuff. The alternator itself and batteries have been checked without any sign of anything being wrong. Ford inspected the wiring looking for shorts and testing electrical routes for 3 days and said everything appeared normal. Today I am going to check and re-clean connections on the alternator, and if that doesn't work, I will go exchange the alternator and see what happens.

The good news is that I did find the instrument cluster last night at a decent price. I am hoping it will be covered under the warranty that I have if it does in fact need to be replaced. Also, my cluster lens has a scratch on it, and I thought I would have to purchase another cluster to fix it, but I also found the lens by itself, so even if I end up not replacing the cluster, I can fix that

Thanks everyone! I am headed out to install my XM radio

[RedneckGirl]

Oh-forgot to mention...it wasn't the fuel pump. All that work for nothing. The truck about a week later pulled the same dying scene at a stoplight. This time, I drove it home, and decided to pull the sensor that is known for causing intermittent dying...

It was the cam positioning sensor that had already been replaced. I tell ya, if there's a bad one in the bunch, I'll find it!! Ford says that it can cause other DTCs to be thrown as the sensor goes out. Yay.

[NCHornet]

As soon as you said it died in the parking lot, I thought CPS!!!
Am I the only married man who can't imagine telling my wife to change her FF? LOL!!!!
Sounds you should have done it in the first place, lol!!!

I too believe you have a problem in the alt. I hope you didn't buy one of the Auto Zone specials, or other superstore equivelants. I hope you get it figured out.

NCH

[RedneckGirl]

I got the alternator new, from a truck place here in town. They've been good to me in the past I am wondering if the fuel having caused the death of the other alternator didn't damage the connector somehow.

On a brighter note, got the XM installed!

Now for something that I've been putting of for nearly a year. Time to replace the glowplugs!

[phxpsd]

Mine 2000 did that same thing also. Batt light would come on for a while and then go out. Probably did this for 3 months, then the alternator gave it up and had to be replaced. The alternators can go intermittent when they are on their way out. But definitely check the connections first. It would suck to buy a new alt and just need to tighten the connections.

[97 golden stroker]

man the cps is on a recall you many be able to get it done for free. and ya my light flickers from time to time every about 6 months or year i have a life time waranty from napa and have and them replace it like 8 time between me and my dad. i have it down to changing it in the parking lot. that is bad connections are good but ford is the way to go for alt.

[RedneckGirl]

I had the CPS orginally replaced due to the recall-prior to that point I had never had any problems with the truck ever stalling out on me. Now, the truck is running great again, just being annoyed by the battery light now. Its supposed to storm today, so I am thinking that I'll go out and start cleaning connections and such in the shop

[NCHornet]

You'll love Sat radio!! I have had for almost 2 years. I got Sirius because my daughter loves Elvis!! They were trying to merge the two companes at one time but the Feds must have stopped it!!

NCH

[RedneckGirl]

XM offers the Serius package, which has 10 of Sirius' most popular packages. I love it so far, the install was easy, and I like the placement of it. It'll be nice to have more to listen to than just the craptastic radio. Here in TX there are places where there's only one station within range, and its in spanish lol

Well, the plug and everything looks good on the alternator. I'll take it out and trade it in tomorrow.

I ordered the platinum face for my cluster!!

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Last edited by RedneckGirl : 10-05-2008 at 07:01 PM.

[forddieseldoctor]

if you have stalling probs after the recall.call ur dealer that did the work. all ford parts are guaranteed for 12 months or 12000 miles.