Looking for someone that repairs dash clusters

[CBari]

I have an 04 that the LCD display that has the odometer has quit working sometimes if you hit a bump it will come back for a second before it goes out again. I am sure it is a solider joint that needs redone, but I have no Idea. Is there anybody that repairs the clusters.

 

[sag2]

Yes there are a few. Google cluster repair and check reviews. If you can solder pull it and inspect with magnifying glass.

 

[CBari]

Yes there are a few. Google cluster repair and check reviews. If you can solder pull it and inspect with magnifying glass.

Sag do you have one you have used before? I will get the magnifying glass out this weekend and see what I can find.

 

[bighammer]

Could it be a wiring issue to the cluster? I'm no expert, but I'd guess a bad wire or connector seems more likely to me than the circuit board.

 

[bighammer]

OK, maybe I'm wrong. Quick search shows it happens to Ford trucks a lot.

Ford repair:

 

[CBari]

I could test the wire theory pretty easy I guess I have an 03 could I swap the clusters and see if the problem follows the cluster?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Google "cold solder joints' so you know what to look for. You will find them.

 

[CBari]

Ok so I googled cold solder joints and learned a lot. On the 03-06 dash cluster it was common to loose the Odometer display and also for the tach to get sporadic on its function. Turns out it is cold solder issues some what but also due to circuit board getting flexed and putting stress on the solder joints. I apologize as I should have made a video, but here is the best I can describe. There are 3 chip like things in the center of the circuit board when you remove it. These power the LCD displays for the odometer and PRNDL. They come loose due to the flexing. If you take a small flat screw driver and pry up gently you can find which one is loose and then re solder it. The tachometer issue is due to two microchips that are on the right side of the board some of the solder joints failing on the chips. To repair you just resolder all of the leg on the chips but make sure you don't bridge any of the legs. Now the final hack or repair is make some shims to put under the board on the screws on the right side to fill the void. Now a word for the wise there are several you tube videos to watch and I would recommend watching several. Also there is no reason to take the board apart to see its back side, because in doing so you pull the needles off all of the gauges and there isn't any indexing marks for putting them back. It takes some effort to get them back close to where they go. If you need help with that instant message me and I'll give you my number it is too much to type.

 

[AEdelheit]

Good write up! I remember on my last 06 when the tach was having issues I re soldered the joint but then left the screws about 1/4 - 1/2 turn loose so that the board sat naturally and did not have to flex into place.

 

[crabman]

This YouTube video is for a 06, but it shows you how to take dash apart & some soldering tips.

 

[BDaugherty]

https://ddinstruments.com/
I use these guys regularly for older International gauge cluster repairs.