Digital Instrument Cluster - testing procedures

[93rev2sev]

And the reason for the small hammer (versus jumper-wire) is . . . .

Saves you from upside levitation under the steering wheel; also it's 30 seconds as opposed to 10 minutes.

 

[jelloslug]

Please elaborate!

Did you swap gauges between different year clusters? Between different application clusters? Or was it a Gen II cluster that you converted from blue-green, to green? Any other documentation?

He took the guts from a 125 MPG blue one and put it in the case for a green one. The lens on the case is what determines the color. If you could find a big enough piece of rose colored plexiglass you could have a white digital cluster. If you want to go totally custom you could always use gauges from Dakota Digital. I have those in my 3 gage pod.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Don't you just love this country.

I tried the (800) number . . . .

The number you have dialed has new information. You can press any touchtone now from your cellular phone, to receive text messages with access information on the number you are calling.

Standard message fees from your carrier may apply. Press any touchtone now.
​

So now that I've received and been charged for a text message:

Reply Y now to get the info on the # you are trying
to reach. Locator Svc $9.99/month +std msg fees
for 20 lookups/month.
Support/Term?
www.smsvx.com
​

Let's see . . . . what's the probability that I will get a refund after I find that the number has been disconnected or is no longer in service . . . ?

So I try from a payphone . . . .

"The service you requested is unavailable from your calling area.
SBN 98"
​

In reference to the earlier-year digital clusters - I also found clusters in an LX for 86 and 87, the latter having a mosty complete dash, although the EATC looked pretty rough. Is this the same unit used in the 89-90 Gen I vehicles?

Some of the clusters I have gotten have an 800 number to call for tech help. I have never called it though. AFAIK there is no such thing as a digital cluster troubleshooting guide. I also have never found any kind of self test routine for this cluster. I have not ever had to change anything on the fuel pump or float when doing a conversion. In fact a number of SHOs that have had poorly functioning fuel gages worked better after the swap. The Fuel Computer functions, on the other hand, use the Fuel Flow pin on the ECU for there signal. It is documented on the MTX pin out but I have never located it on the ATX SHO ECU. The 6600 RPM limit is hard coded into the cluster AFAIK. When you hit 6600 the Tach just jumps to full readout. I'm sure someone with the proper electronics knowledge (not me ) could possible get into the RAM of the cluster and might be able to reprogram something. Also for your information; there are at least 4 different Taurus digital clusters of this style: Green with 85 MPH top speed, Blue with 85 MPH top speed, Blue with 125~ top speed, and Blue with Flex Fuel computer. There is a compatible cluster from the Windstars also but it's tach only goes to 6000 RPM.

 

[jelloslug]

In reference to the earlier-year digital clusters - I also found clusters in an LX for 86 and 87, the latter having a mosty complete dash, although the EATC looked pretty rough. Is this the same unit used in the 89-90 Gen I vehicles?

The 90 is the same as the 91-95. The 89 is the same as the 86-88. I have never attempted the swap in an 89 but the clusters are totally different from the 90-95 versions.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Anyone have a different or updated phone number? The two listed are:

• IN U.S. CALL 1-800-461-6945
  
  
• IN CANADA CALL 1-800-361-3531

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Has anyone found any sources for the 20-pin AMP connector or wire-harness terminal ends? Any other vehicles or components use this same 20-pin connector?

Also, any sources for the [wedgelock?] terminal ends required for the PCM and elsewhere in the harness?

 

[firstgen89sho]

found a possible supplier for the EEC-IV pins and connectors, was going through my old bookmarks and found the link

it's about 1/2 way down the page

http://www.mass-air.com/Products.htm

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Anyone come across information on the AMP black 20-pin connector to the cluster?


I went through Mouser Electronics nearly 2000-page parts catalog without success. Currently searching online without success . . . .


:banghd:

 

[jelloslug]

Anyone come across information on the AMP black 20-pin connector to the cluster?


I went through Mouser Electronics nearly 2000-page parts catalog without success. Currently searching online without success . . . .


:banghd:

It's a Ford specific connector. You will have a very hard time finding it in a catalog. You might be able to buy it from Ford. They have a catalog of replacement connectors.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Already tried a dealership.

The instrument cluster connector pins look strikingly similar to some of the PC motherboard pins - extremely small square-shaped female terminals that are commonly used on computer motherboards.

So I decided to disassemble the cluster to see if there were any identifying AMP part numbers on the motherboard connector. Short answer is no.


I must say I was amazed at the simplicity and modular nature of the digital cluster. Three PCBs, two internal ribbon cables, input cable for the dash computer controller, single-layer flexible circuit on the back, and the housing.

The first thing you see upon opening the housing, is a large primary display motherboard, with three VFC display units. All electronics required for the displays are contained within the three display units.

Underneath the primary display motherboard, are two smaller boards – a cluster controller board and power board.


The 20-pin Dash Harness connector plugs directly into the controller board, which has a large IC logic chip:

Motorola Logic Chip with the following chip markings:

QEST9443
© 1990 FORD M
N7600010FKC043
DN5-LOGIC
​

Also on the controller board is an obround metal-cased chip marked:

8.000
E8OF-EA
NDK9446:
​

The second board is a power supply board for the cluster, which is labeled as:

DN5 POWER SUPPLY
PWB-2343
​

Interestingly, the board has a 16-pin Motorola chip that looks suspiciously like an 8086-era memory chip, with the following markings:

70006SB
XAA9448
​

Above the chip, the PCB is marked:

31PEAK 9448
83115
​

The “chip” is identified on the PCB as "IC305". Everything else on the board is consistent with a power board.
​

And that’s it !

 

[jelloslug]

If someone were more electronically inclined than myself, one could find away into the clusters memory and modify things. There are several pins on the black connector that are not annotated on any wiring diagram so I would imagine that they could be used to program the cluster. It is noted in the shop manuals that an cluster that has been altered electronically or replaced in the field will have the "S" with a circle around it on next to the odometer. All the clusters that I have seen have the circle S on the display matrix but I have never seen it on. There are some digital cluster referb shops that clame to be able the change the odometer on these clusters so there is a way into the memory.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

I saw the "S" comments in the Service Manual. Pins #1 and 10 are not wired in harness, but are present on the motherboard male connector and hardwired to the PCB. A 1995 Continental harness I looked at, did not use pins #2, 5, 18, and 20, but also had additional 12- and 16-pin connectors that were the exact same same style. That and the same style 9-pin single-row connectors used for the ribbon cables are why I think this is connector product line that AMP made.

But what would store the mileage-memory indefinitely in a salvage yard vehicle. At some point even an on-board battery source would draw-down. Does the odometer then go to zero?

The refurb shops were my next stop for the harness connector and terminal ends, and I'm sure that will be a fun adventure . . . .

 

[jelloslug]

But what would store the mileage-memory indefinitely in a salvage yard vehicle. At some point even an on-board battery source would draw-down. Does the odometer then go to zero?

It's stored in a non volatile EEPROM. I have clusters that have been sitting on a shelf for years and years and they still have they exact same odometer reading as when they were removed.

If you are desperate for a connector, just get some pins for an amp .100 pin spacing connector, place them one by one in the connector (with enough wire to work with) on the cluster board and then pour epoxy in the connector. It's a quick and dirty way to make an electrically sound connection without the correct connector.

 

[Storm-Chaser]

I'm sure I can (eventually) get a Taurus/Sable connector, but currently the only one available is from a 95 Town Car which is wired differently and uses different colored wire-leads. I have most of the tools required to construct my own harnesses, I simply need the connector and female pins (terminals).

Btw, what kind of digital camera did you use to take you images?

 

[jelloslug]

Btw, what kind of digital camera did you use to take you images?

An old Sony Cybershot P92

 

[firstgen89sho]

A couple q's for you in regards to installing the Digital dash

1st, The positive and Negative data, is there a reason to have that hooked up? or is there even anything in an X2J pcm to allow these to be hooked up?

2nd, the ground for the fuel sender, and the ground for the temp sensor, did you just use a common ground? or did you run a wire to each as a ground wire?

3rd, does the signal for the Speed sensor have to come right from the PCM? or can it come from the speed sensor itself?

I'm sure that I will have a few more as I get into this deeper, I have a 90 EVTM at my disposal, so I can look up anything else that i might need as it arises.

 

[jelloslug]

A couple q's for you in regards to installing the Digital dash

1st, The positive and Negative data, is there a reason to have that hooked up? or is there even anything in an X2J pcm to allow these to be hooked up?

2nd, the ground for the fuel sender, and the ground for the temp sensor, did you just use a common ground? or did you run a wire to each as a ground wire?

3rd, does the signal for the Speed sensor have to come right from the PCM? or can it come from the speed sensor itself?

I'm sure that I will have a few more as I get into this deeper, I have a 90 EVTM at my disposal, so I can look up anything else that i might need as it arises.

I did not hook up the positive and negative data. I think it's only for the Flex Fuel clusters anyway.

A common ground will work fine for those connections.

I hooked to the line going from the VSS to the PCM.

 

[firstgen89sho]

ok, In my 90 EVTM, it still shows the positive and negative data, that is why I was wondering about it.

I will go common ground to all, and take the VSS off of the sensor itself.

 

[firstgen89sho]

Looking at the PCM pinouts between a SHO and a 3.8 PCM, I see alot of similarities between the 2 of them, injector grounds, power in and out, VSS, A/C, cranshaft pos sensor feed, coolant temp, tp angle, etc....

almost makes me wonder if they used a 3.8 PCM, and changed the bits needed for the SHO engine......

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Next time your in the salvage yard, compare the MAF sensor between your SHO and any Taurus with a 3.8L . . . .