I have a 98 F-150 that is possessed.

A few months ago I replaced the GEM because of a leaking windshield. I replaced it with a brand new revised one. All was good till my gauge cluster didn't light up. Traced that problem to a faulty dimmer on the headlight switch. All was good till the cluster lights went out.

I've checked from the light switch dimmer, with a multi meter and a test light all the way to the cluster. I have power at the cluster and at every light socket on the cluster. So I replaced all the lights in the cluster and all was good. (Remember the truck is 14 years old) Now it's back to sometimes I have cluster light and sometimes I don't.

I tweaked the ground and power wire connectors where the plug into the cluster. I made sure that the wires that connect to fuse #18 are good and are not loose.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Next up a Priest to perform an exorcism.

Thanks in advance
Bob

 

When you replaced the GEM, did you check the truck side of the connectors for signs of water damage ( green corrosion on the pins ) ?

If the output of the panel dimmer switch is good, and the pins on the connector to the GEM were good, the next might be a wire pulled loose from the back of the fuse panel, that would require pulling the connector and checking for a loose pin in the connector ( warped connector ).

This is a strange problem you have going on, I have not seen of this one myself. This is about the only starting point I can offer.

 

I'm getting ready to start 2 weeks of vacation and I'll have about 4/5 days of that for myself (honey do list is very short).

I did not check the fuse panel for corrosion and that will be the next step. I have 2 cans of a very good contact cleaners (safe for plastic) and a small brass wire brush. I'll pull the GEM and the fuse panel out of the truck and use a bright light to find the villain.

When I find the problem I'll post back and let y'all know.

Thanks for the info.

Bob