1993 XLT 3.0L Auto instrument cluster

[austinrick]

Edit: The problem with the right turn signal indicator appears to be resolved, at least for now.
After considering what else controls those two green arrows, I fiddled with the hazard lights switch some-- on/off, etc, etc --and even tried to squirt some quality contact cleaner down between the switch button and the little guide it rides in, hoping that it would dribble down onto the contacts, and both turn indicators are working reliably now, using turn signal switch or hazard lights.
Whether it's a semi-permanent fix is too early to tell. But it's working now.
So before you tear into the dash to fix a turn indicator, see if the problem isn't slightly dirty hazard lights contacts.
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I will need to R&R this cluster in the coming weeks (or swap modules over to a replacement circuit board/housing assy.) and could use any tips or tactics, do's/don'ts to help with the process. I haven't found a YouTube vid that uses this particular instrument panel (that I get the impression is very common in the 93-94 models) and the Hayne's shop manual is only so helpful. Getting the dash trim pieces (bezel) away, disconnecting the two wiring harnesses, speedo cable, gear indicator, etc. are some of my concerns.

If you have any tips or advice, I'd appreciate your sharing it here. -thanks

 

[austinrick]

Thanks very much for that. I'm replacing the cluster housing all because the right turn signal indicator works only intermittently. I've had it in a shop once (last week) and the repair has worked on & off since then. Given the behavior of things I feel the problem is more with light bulb connectivity than a defect in the circuit board. Anyway, I decided that the answer is to replace the circuit board & its housing and probably swap over the modules from my original cluster -- they all work just fine. I'll replace all light bulbs while I'm at it with new 194s.
The radio/CD player is aftermarket (Kenwood or something) and I don't have the tool to disengage it. Frankly didn't know it has to come out. I'll take a closer look.
The gear indicator: I got the idea that there are two screws holding it to the back of the housing -- they come off from either side of the front, exposed when the bezel is removed. Yes, I'll have to be very careful with that.
I get the impression that the harness connectors have the retainers on either side (left/right on one, top/bottom on the other) that I squeeze to disengage and wiggle free. Similar with the speedo cable. I have an identical cluster on the way from eBay, so don't need to source one with a tach I can't use.
I have seen one short vid on YouTube from a kid replacing all cluster light bulbs with LED on the same panel I have. He removed the ashtray, left the stereo alone, I think, and then pulled the bezel loose very carefully. It seems like something I can do. No real tools required beyond a screwdriver and maybe small metric nut driver.
Thanks again and I hope you won't mind if I pick your brain again before this is done.

 

[austinrick]

Thanks. My first suspicion was the multi switch and I spent considerable time researching a replacement. There are at least four aftermarket copies available on Amazon and elsewhere. F2TZ13341B is Ford's number.
However, when I figured out that the exterior turn signal bulbs are working normally I started looking elsewhere. And when the tech at that legit repair shop got the indicator arrow light on the dash to work by cleaning the contacts and replacing the bulb that pretty much narrows it down to circuit board or socket. For all I know I could make a permanent repair if I had the cluster on the bench, but either way I want a replacement cluster standing by, or at least a printed circuit board/housing assy.
As it stands, I can't fault the multi switch at all.
Now I'm waiting for that eBay seller to ship that cluster.

 

[austinrick]

I bought the eBay offering. It's the same as mine (no tach), same year and everything. If the circuit board makes the trip I should have a good direct replacement.
But to complicate things, this morning I found that the right turn indicator was once again not working (which is the pattern since I got it back from the shop). BUT, when I pressed the hazard lights button on top of the steering column (part of the multi switch assembly) that indicator started working again. Is there a direct connection? Can a dirty/faulty hazard lights switch affect a single turn indicator? I do not know, but when I got home I tried spraying a quality contact cleaner down into that hazard light switch through a very narrow space between button and steering column shroud. The indicator light has continued to work ever since. This just adds a whole new dimension to this mystery.
Onward!