I have tried this in several areas, but 2 weeks ago I had my battery (Optima Yellow Top) die on me.

I got a jump start and got home but ever since the speedo no longer functions, yet the odometer and trip meter still function!???

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Clench your hand into a fist and pound on the top of the dash just above the speedo. It should start working again.

JMC

 

You always have given me good info before, and I already tried this (maybe not hard enough). I'll give it a few whacks if this is for real! Have you heard of similar problems?

 

I have had this happen to one of mine. If that doesn't cure the problem then the cluster may be deffective. The fact that the odometer i working but the speedo is not is an indication that the cluster is at fault.

JMC

 

I will beat the crap out of it!!! It cant hurt!!!

Does it matter if I am driving or not???

 

Gave wrong solution and then deleted, sorry.

But might still want to look at:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=odometer

 

Your hyperlink provides the following information:

(Error 404) - That File Is Lost or Missing

 

i have had this problem this past week with my pick up also and it was diagnoced that it is a short that all fords have int he cluster you will have to replace the whole unit you are not able to fix it i have tried and once it shorts it self out it will no longer work but the rest of the cluster lilttle by little will all short out

 

But yours is the newer F-150, and it is different electronics.

I will try JMC's "hit it" technique, and hopefully that will bring her back to life! If not, and my cluster is dead, I may upgrade to the HD or Lightning cluster, as I have heard that it is possible.

 

Well, lets try again:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...light=odometer

 

Subford: The link worked this time!

However mine is an intermittent speed, the connection may be the same! If hitting hard doesnt help, i will disassemble dash and check this connection! Thanks!

 

The 97-8 cluster doesn't have an LED digital odometer. It has the tumblers with the numbers printed on each tumbler from 0 to 9. If the tumblers turn then the cluster is getting the signal. It is the speedo that is not working, the mechanicle innards that are slipping. I never took mine apart to fix it. Pounding on the dash when the truck was moving was enough to cure it. It happened a few times then it started working again after a pounding and then never failed again.

JMC

 

Jean Marc:

You have always given great advice since the advent of this board, I have been a member since june of 1998 and appreciate your support of f150online.com. I only drove to the store yesterday evening and forgot to "pound".

I'll give her a few good whacks today and let you know what happens, take care.

 

On the way to my buds house to watch NASCAR, I tried hitting the dash several times... couldnt make a fist, had to slap it hard. No Change!

Drank several Beers , then on the way home I decided to give it one good whack on the freeway.

It could have just been the heat the dash from baking in the sun all afternoon, the beers , or a combination of the two: but I have officially killed my dash. It is now cracked and severely traumatized directly above the speedo!

Now I must replace the top dash piece in addition to the instrument cluster! Oh well just goes to show you dont mix NASCAR, beer, and auto repair!