I don't know for sure about the tach and speedometer, but a number of other guages go to full when the guage is shorted, so my guess is that is a good possiblity.
1999 Windstar Tachometer is pegged
After I attempted to make the seasonal switch-over from heating to cooling (by manually turning the shaft behind the dashboard temperature controls) I started the van and saw the tachometer and the speedometer moving back and forth before they pegged at the maximum values.
I checked the fuse box and found that the 20 A fuse to the cig lighter and the data port was blown. I had just been working behind the data port. Any ideas how I can get the tachometer and the speedometer working again? I am unable to put the van in park because the shift pointer hits the tachometer needle. I disconnected the battery until I can figure out what to do next. The car is in N with the emergency brake on. Do you think I bumped a wire and shorted something out?
I checked the fuse box and found that the 20 A fuse to the cig lighter and the data port was blown. I had just been working behind the data port. Any ideas how I can get the tachometer and the speedometer working again? I am unable to put the van in park because the shift pointer hits the tachometer needle. I disconnected the battery until I can figure out what to do next. The car is in N with the emergency brake on. Do you think I bumped a wire and shorted something out?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
I replaced the fuse and it didn't blow again but the tach and speedometer are still pegged. Any recommendations?
I'd suggest that you see if you can get a wiring diagram and see what color wires go to the instrument cluster to the tach and speedometer and follow them out to see where they are bare and or maybe touching something. Look for a rub spot. Look particularly in the area that you were working under the dash recently.
black with a white stripe are typically ground wires, you are looking for the other color wires.
black with a white stripe are typically ground wires, you are looking for the other color wires.
In my '98 Dark Green with a white tracer goes to the speedometer
and White with Pink tracer goes to the tach
and White with Pink tracer goes to the tach
Thanks.
I will look around some more tonight.
I will look around some more tonight.
Below you will find ground, power distribution and instrument cluster wiring diagrams specific to a 1999 Windstar.
The Instrument Cluster receives direct VBatt power from Fuses 9, 16 and 28. Is it possible that one of those fuses is blown? I would also check fuses 10 and 14.
Here is the forums "How To" on checking fuses.
http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/128-howto-check-your-fuses.html
Hope the diagrams help.
The Instrument Cluster receives direct VBatt power from Fuses 9, 16 and 28. Is it possible that one of those fuses is blown? I would also check fuses 10 and 14.
Here is the forums "How To" on checking fuses.
http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/electrical-lighting/128-howto-check-your-fuses.html
Hope the diagrams help.
Attachments
-
48.4 KB Views: 741
-
40.8 KB Views: 513
-
42.4 KB Views: 457
-
47.6 KB Views: 461
-
63.7 KB Views: 458
-
57.8 KB Views: 459
-
65 KB Views: 433
-
39.1 KB Views: 479
Thanks
Thanks MissInformation. Hopefully I will be able to look into this more tonight.
Thanks MissInformation. Hopefully I will be able to look into this more tonight.
also, make sure you put american fuses in it...
i found out the hard way when i had my 86 VW jetta. i didn't realize there were different fuses for different regions...
i found out the hard way when i had my 86 VW jetta. i didn't realize there were different fuses for different regions...
No problem, I am happy to be able to help....Thanks MissInformation. Hopefully I will be able to look into this more tonight.
I should have mentioned this earlier, but was unsure if it mattered - This being a 2nd Generation Windstar and SCP protocol involving the Instrument Cluster works in conjunction with the FEM, REM and PCM that there may not be any specific colour coded wires directly to either the Speedo or the Tach as in the 1st Generation Windstar's.
I checked all of the fuses. The only fuse that was blown was the one that serves the cig lighter and the data port. I relaced the fuse (fuse #17), started the van up drove it around some. The speedometer works now but the tachometer is still pegged (preventing me from putting the van in park). Everything else seems ok.
Any ideas on how I can get the tach working or at least get the tach needle out of the path of the shift indicator?
Why would fuse #17 effect the tachometer?
Any ideas on how I can get the tach working or at least get the tach needle out of the path of the shift indicator?
Why would fuse #17 effect the tachometer?
The Tachometer is control by the computer. The computers communicate (transmit and receive information) to one another via standard corporate protocol (SCP). If I remember correctly on this year Windstar the tachometer's communication signal originates from the PCM - if I remember correctly.Any ideas on how I can get the tach working or at least get the tach needle out of the path of the shift indicator?
Why would fuse #17 effect the tachometer?
Thinking out loud here - you may very well have shorted a wire or something somewhere, causing fuse 17 to blow and in turn fried the tachometer in the Instrument Cluster (it is a printed circuit board).
It might be worth your while to scan the van to see if there are any Network U codes that could point you in the right direction as to why the Tach will not reset itself.
Did you check the fuses and relays in the Battery Junction Box as well? Did you try unplugging the Instrument Cluster connectors and re-connecting them? Did you try tapping on the Instrument Cluster face or top of the dash pad to reset it?
Have you considered contacting your local Ford Dealer and speaking with either the Service Advisor or Service Manager to get some insight on this issue.
I don’t think you want to hear this, but you may just have to replace the Instrument Cluster.
I am attaching a DLC wiring diagram to illustrate how SCP operates with all the modules.
I wish I could be more helpful, but at this point, I just don't know what to tell you.
Perhaps another member has more insight into this and can offer better assistance.
Attachments
-
31.7 KB Views: 482
Everything appears to be working again!
I took off a piece of the dash board and poked a long sliver of wood up near the gear shift indicator into the tachometer area to free the tachometer needle (which was mechanically a stuck in the pegged position).
I am still not sure what happened but for now everything looks good. Thanks for your help.:thumbsup:
I took off a piece of the dash board and poked a long sliver of wood up near the gear shift indicator into the tachometer area to free the tachometer needle (which was mechanically a stuck in the pegged position).
I am still not sure what happened but for now everything looks good. Thanks for your help.:thumbsup:
Excellent!!!!! (Bill & Ted voices) What a clever idea - Good for you E99! :thumbsup:Everything appears to be working again!
I took off a piece of the dash board and poked a long sliver of wood up near the gear shift indicator into the tachometer area to free the tachometer needle (which was mechanically a stuck in the pegged position.
I'm closing this thread, if your problem recurrs, and you want to re-open it, any mod can do that for you.
Congrats!
Congrats!
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Ford Automobiles
A forum community dedicated to Ford owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
