Ghost in the machine

[Spazzout666]

Ok so this has me stumped.

1st off I've done the Google-ing and came up with nothing. This is also my first post so if I miss something I'll chalk it up to that.

2007 Ranger 4x4 4.0L sport

When I start the truck and it's in park the dash lights keep resetting, at least that's what it looks like. All the warning lights flash on (like they do when you first start the engine) and all the guages drop to zero then swing back up to there normal position. It will keep cycling/resetting until you put it in gear then it stops cycling/resetting...

As I said; I'm stumped... Any help would be appreciated

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Turn on the key Press on the brake Then shift to Neutral
See if it does the same flashing

2004 and up Rangers got Full Digital instrument clusters, it has a built-in micro processor

So is much different than older instrument clusters as far as wiring

Diagram below

Fuse 9 and 10(cab fuse box) power the instrument cluster when key is turned on, check them
Fuse 33 keeps instrument cluster's memory powered all the time so probably not that one

There is no overt electrical connection between column shifter and instrument cluster
So wondering if shift mechanism under the dash is pushing or pulling on wires causing intermittent power, or Ground, interruption so instrument cluster is resetting until shifter is moved

And could be micro processor issue, Google: ford instrument cluster diagnostic mode
Instrument cluster can do a self test