Lessons learned from cluster swap
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 47
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From: Lima, Oh
Lessons learned from cluster swap
Back in October, I replaced the basic cluster in my STX with a FX2 unit. At that time, I replaced the gauge face with one for the Saleen 331. I recently got a set of the orange Saleen needles, so I pulled the cluster once again to install them. While removing the needle on the temp gauge, it's servo unit came apart, pieces falling in the cluster. The same thing happened with the fuel gauge and speedometer. Figuring that I can't do any more damage, I removed the 8 torx screws and pulled the circuit board from the cluster. I found 3 clear nylon gears, and the tops to the servos that had the needle posts in them. On the bottom of the needle post was a white nylon gear. I am assuming that all of the servos are the same, as the parts were identical. In the servo there was a metal gear with windings on each side.The clear nylon gear went between the metal and the needle post gear. Now for the good part. Once everything was back in place, the servo snaps back together! The circuit board went back on the cluster.
The cluster has been out several times in the past to adjust the gauge needles. This time
I temporarily installed the cluster minus the gauge plastic and needles, and reattached the negative battery terminal. I drove the truck to the gas station to top off the fuel tank to full, and to reach operating temperature. At home with the truck still running, I slightly pressed on the fuel, oil, volt and temp needles. Shutting the truck off and allowing the cluster to reset (a minute) , I installed the tach and speedo needles. Pulling the battery terminal once more, I removed the cluster to finish installing the needles and plastic.
With everything back together, the cluster works perfectly. Hopefully somebody will learn something from my screw-ups .
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 47
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From: Lima, Oh
It is plug and play, but you lose a few things like key and light chimes...They must need to be re-programmed.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 372
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From: Massachusetts
Just putting in my experience as well. Purhased a lariat cluster to put in my XLT. I purchased one with a little more miles than mine and from the same year truck. Waited for my mileage to be exact as the lariat cluster and did the swap. Then went to the dealer to have it reflashed. That was over 11,000 miles ago and no issues. I also during this time found a cluster from a mark lt and swaped the face so now my cluster has the look of the mark lt and still everything works. Thankfully my needles came off and went on with no issuses.
