2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 4x4 Dash light illuminating on RWD???

[BigPapa]

The "4X4" light on my cluster is illuminating, sometimes pretty bright, sometimes very dim, but never as bright as it really should be.



This is on my '98. 5 24V that I put my 12V engine in. I pulled the CEL bulb out of the back of the cluster because it's on all the time due to throwing VP44 codes. I can only see it at night and like I said, it varies in brightness. I don't think that there is even a bulb in that hole.



Any ideas without me having to pull the cluster back out to check it?

 

[Hydropower]

Hi.

Is this a 4x4? Or have you changed the instrument cluster?

I have seen the same problem and it was an electrical connection.

Cheers

Edit: I read your title its not a 4x4.

 

[BigPapa]

Doesn't do it all the time. It was out tonight. As long as it's not something getting hot and glowing I live with it.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I'm gonna bet it's a crossed wire or PCM failure. The intermittent brightness makes me think it's a ground fault from lack of an ECM on the engine... ... The computer has no way to argue with you with no CEL light!! I need to see if the PCM is still on the early '98 I saw wrecked a few back..... I'm not sure if you need the whole wire loom, too, though..... That's a PITA, I know, but I've used them before for two P-pumped 24v trucks. I hate the guages being run through the PCM!!

 

[BigPapa]

I'm running the ECM for the 24V. Everything's working OK. All the gauges work. The CEL is on due to MAP sensor and VP44 codes since I obviously don't have either one of those. I could put a MAP sensor on the engine but there's no benefit from it since it's still going to throw the IP codes.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Right. That's why I suggested the early 98 PCM with the 12v. You wouldn't have the IP codes... . I just don't know how much work that's gonna be... ... .

 

[BigPapa]

I see what you're saying. If it is simply plugging it up I'd go for it but if not I'm done. I know I drug my feet a lot, but it took me 10 months to get this thing on the road and it's all working now. I'm not messing with it.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Don't blame you. I know about that "I can live with a light on in the dash if it will just run" mentality..... I've had Fords before... ... One reason why I have 6 trucks with insurance and inspection out in the yard... . If one breaks, drive another. I couldn't sell all of them and buy a brand new one, which would be in the shop, anyway, so why not have several? (at least that's what I tell the wife... . ) I think I just like working on 'em..... FWIW, I swapped the PCM on two of these bad boys, used a 12v wire loom out of an early '98, and they work good. Not sure about anything newer than an '00, though. Guess you could do it like the '00 Ford F350 I converted a few years ago..... the whole dash was a piece of aluminum with manual Isspro guages installed in it. No cruise sucked, but the owner was happy and the check was good.....