95 Ranger instrument cluster backlight question.

[Powder2015]

So I found the now mine 95 Ranger xl ext cab 4x4 5 speed truck in a garage that had been there 10 years. I got it running and found the coolant gauge is kinda sticky and if slap the dash it will kind of work, and the tach will drop to 0 at idle but will pick up and read when giving some throttle. I went online and got a replacement cluster that said would fit a 95 ranger. Out of the box it looked exactly the same, however when installed found that some of the warning lights are in the wrong location and the backlight is green. The one that came out of it has a blue backlight. Is there a different cluster like maybe an early cluster that was dropped and possibly hard to find? Should I send my cluster to be rebuilt especially since the bulb around the 50 mph will not light up even after changing the bulb and the socket even installing in every way and direction possible. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[rumblecloud]

An image of the cluster would help a bit -lit or unlit or both. Also an image of the truck just because we like to see old Rangers that have been sitting for awhile
Could just be cobwebs from sitting so long. Have you used any electronics spray on the original?

Oh, Welcome to TRS.

 

[Powder2015]

I have seen it self heal after driving, did a small repair to the air bag diag module due to component having a dead short but was still flashing code for the clock spring. As of Monday the airbag light went off after its check. It has codes for purge valve and the distributor gear, I’m hoping the tach issue is caused by that. I had removed all the gauges and cleaned the contact pins when I upgraded to led lights and changed worm gear for odometer, other than that I have not done anything further.

 

[rumblecloud]

I see you are a Ford Tech, so anything I offer is prolly below your pay grade, but it's all I got. 283 on the od and idling at 900. Nice find btw.

 

[Powder2015]

No advice is below my pay grade, I accept all knowledge, help and advice. I was a ford heavy line tech in my dealer life with expertise in 15+ f series, car and suv gas engines as well as trans. I’ve put about 1k miles on it since I acquired it. So far it took a new fuel pump to get running, full brake system replacement due to taking no chances, 4” rough country lift that included springs front and back to replace the wasted suspension with new shackles, brand new 31x10.50r15 Toyo r/t. Behind the seat I have new clock spring, multifunction switch, intake and valve cover gaskets and a new distributor to install when I get time. Probably will put in new exhaust manifolds when I’m doing all that since the flange is leaking and cannot tighten it up due to rusty bolts. Driver side floor pan has couple rust holes in it that previous owner repaired. Other than that it’s super solid and runs flawlessly. Even the a/c works.

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

Is the picture the original or "new" cluster?

The '95 cluster is unique by year, but some sellers group '95-97 as a generation, or even '95-'02 or whenever the next major cluster overhaul was.
"<Unleaded Fuel Only" above the tach is a '95 thing, and by '98 "RPMx1000" had moved up to that position. Quick image search looks like maybe the early text format persisted through '96? Not sure what other variations might exist besides tach/no tach, explorer/mazda.