F150 XL Tachometer Trick

Chris04v6 · #1 09-07-2008, 05:27 PM

So i found this out last night, watched some youtube video and found it works

If your truck doesnt have a tach, put the key in the ignition but dont turn it on. press and hold the odometer button and turn the key forward, but do not turn the truck on. it should pause and then test the gauges out. once it does, let go of the button, and use it to toggle through the menu. somewhere in the menu there is fuel, oil, etc. once you find tach turn the truck on. it should stay there on the display, and you now can see what RPM your truck is going at! ill get a video up in a few minutes.

pointless, but could be useful

dirtyd88 · #2 09-07-2008, 05:29 PM

you can also do a digital speedometer with it too....it kind of lags when accelerating, but goes down to a tenth of a MPH...

Chris04v6 · #3 09-07-2008, 05:40 PM

which one is that one? like what does it say before the series of 0's?

Chris04v6 · #4 09-07-2008, 05:45 PM

dirtyd88 · #5 09-07-2008, 05:59 PM

im not sure...id have to ask my friend. he was the one that showed me.

if you could take close-up still shots of all the options, i might be able to recall.

Chris04v6 · #6 09-07-2008, 06:02 PM

ill have to do it in a little while, the battery on my camera is dead

Raptor05121 · #7 09-21-2008, 08:40 PM

nice. My SG2 does that but updates every second. kinda wish it was real-time. but ill be adding the OEM cluster w/ tach pretty soon anyway

shroville · #8 09-21-2008, 09:16 PM

works in mine 2002 fx4... just wondering what everything means?

projectSHO89 · #9 09-23-2008, 09:17 AM

You've discovered the "HEC Dealer Test Mode" that was incorporated into the Hybrid Electronic Clusters starting around 1999.

SEARCH the site or google that term, it's a common enough conversation. The same function is in many of the other Ford vehicles also.

Steve

black hole · #10 09-23-2008, 01:13 PM

Sweet!! Will the same steps work for an 05 STX with a 4.6L?

glc · #11 09-23-2008, 03:12 PM

Yes, all Fords with the electronic odometer have it.

black hole · #12 09-23-2008, 05:24 PM

Yeppers!! it works in an 05 stx 4.6L. I noticed that you have to do it every time you want the tach. but that's cool for when you need it! Thanks for the heads up!!

timmypstyle · #13 10-13-2008, 09:39 AM

yeah, i'm guessing he watched one of my vids(could be wrong) because someone told me about it on youtube as a post on my vid. it works on all ford trucks from 99-up. every time you shut off the truck it will reset so the next time you turn it on it shows miles. you have to do it every time and cant access it while the vehicle is running.

ModBargains · #14 10-21-2008, 07:27 PM

Wow! Thats a pretty neat feature!

vicmaster · #15 10-23-2008, 02:24 PM

Yea, when my MM was getting dyno tuned, I sprung an anti-freeze leak and my tuner went to go do it to my car, but he didn't realize it was still analog. I had to then tell him silly Ford hasn't changed the Panther cars since '92, and they're all the same. I haven't tried it yet on my truck.