OK Guys let's see what we can do. Well I just bought the Cobra and working out all the details. Well seems the Gauge cluster is not lighting up at nite while the headlight switch is on. Yes I checked all the relays and fuses all ok. Took the cluster apart and all bulbs seem ok .
As we all know the SVT cluster is an insert which the Green light that shows at nite driving is from the rear insert.
I don't know what is wrong with my cluster took it all apart bulbs seem ok and power is getting to my cluster because all gauges work just fine except for the night driving it looks like this.
The rear of the insert seems fine no cut or burned wires
I jumpered up some Duracel batterys a total of 16Volts for direct contact and no light up. I also wired the car battery for direct contact on the insert and nothing. I know quite a bit of sodering and boards but don't know guys any suggestions or past experience out there with same problem. I don't wanna buy another cluster just for the darn light.
Last edited by CobradaCableGuy; 08-30-2009 at 03:02 AM.
I know it sounds like a stupid question but is the head light switch turned all the way to the left? This is a way of dimming the lights. By turning the switch from the left to right, right being the brightest. Not trying to say your dumb or anything.....just a shot in the dark.
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03 Cobra Vert, 10th Anniversary Edition, Tuned by Greg at RET to 514 HP 502 Torque, Mods include Steggy Stage 5 port, 2.76 Billet Flow Pulley with 4 Idlers, 60lb S/D Injectors, Twin GT Pumps, Stage 2 FPDM, PPRV Delete, Accufab Polished Plenum and T-Body, SCT 2600 MAF, SCT X-Cal 3, AFCO PRO Heat Exchanger, Canton Radiator,S/C Overflow, Canton Power Steering Tank, NGK Plugs, UPR Radiator Cover, SLP Catted X Pipe, Magnaflow Catback, MM C/C Plates, H&R Springs, Kenny Brown Strut tower Brace, B/F IRS Brace. Oh and a nice lil 75 shot of the giggle gas.....New Dyno numbers to follow once I get out of Japan!!!!!!!!
2004 Mystichrome Cobra #1314 of 3768, #874 of 1010 Mystichrome! -Steeda 2.8 Upper, Full Centerforce DFX 26 pline, Liberty 26 spline input shaft, MAC O/R H, MAC 2 1/2 Catback, NGK tr-6, K&N, FIPK2 CAI Made 478rwhp and 467 tq.
Lead or get the hell outta the way!!!!
MARINES
I had the same problem and performed quite a bit of troubleshooting as well. Then one night the cluster illuminated. Sometimes it doesn't still. Very irritating. So my interim fix is a 12 volt LED strip which I can plug into the accessory outlet and place it between the cluster bezel and cluster.
I contacted the manufacturer of the cluster and asked for assistance with repair/troubleshooting and they were not much help in the end. i even offered to send the cluster to their location and let them know that the problem is fairly common.
They give a Schitt because Ford paid them already for those parts and they do not normally deal with the end user.
Good luck
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2003 Cobra Vert Anniversary model
Mods: Kenne Bell 2.2, Billetflow idlers (4), Accufab single blade throttle body, K&N GenII CAI, Fore fuel hat with dual GT40 pumps, Dual FPDMs, wiring upgrade, Siemens DEKA 60# injectors, Racer Walsh HUGE heat exchanger, Magnaflow catback with Magnapacks, Bruce's full IRS Delrin Bushing upgrade kit, Billetflow differential brace, Bilstein sport coilovers 400#front and 600#rear spring rates, Maximum Full length subframe connectors, Maximum caster/camber plates, Maximum front control arms, Maximum solid steering shaft, Maximum front tie rod ends/bumpsteer kit, Maximum aluminum steering rack bushings, Maximum IRS adjustable tie rods, Maximum adjustable swaybar end links, 18" FR500 wheels, Cobra R Brembo brakes with 2 piece rotors, Fidanza aluminum flywheel and head cooling mod awaiting install when clutch arrives, Steeda firewall clutch adjuster and billet quadrant, SCT X Cal2, tuned in Germany by TONY from HP-Performance (Orange Park, Florida) 607 RWHP.
I know it sounds like a stupid question but is the head light switch turned all the way to the left? This is a way of dimming the lights. By turning the switch from the left to right, right being the brightest. Not trying to say your dumb or anything.....just a shot in the dark.
Yes I thought that was the problem at first. The switch works fine the headlights are working and the dimmer is dimming the radio and A/C lights.
Last edited by CobradaCableGuy; 08-16-2009 at 05:07 PM.
Who did you contact Visteon? Did you talk to the dealer see what they offered? I thought of also just installing an LED light behind the cluster but IDK. How does yours look with the LED's? I don't think it's the insert itself that got screwed. I don't think 12 volts are supplied to that insert in order to illuminate it's less I gave it 16 and then 12 volts and nothing.Gonna try sodering some wires from the back of the board where the insert gets it's power see what happens. I have Mitchell on Demand gonna see if they have the wiring for the 04 Cobra.
Last edited by CobradaCableGuy; 08-30-2009 at 03:04 AM.
So you cannot change the color of the guage cluster without changing the insert? or are the bulbs colored?
It uses no bulbs to illuminate the cluster it's not like the GT cluster. The SVT cluster uses an insert to illuminate the gauges and bulbs for turn signals and all acc.
It uses no bulbs to illuminate the cluster it's not like the GT cluster. The SVT cluster uses an insert to illuminate the gauges and bulbs for turn signals and all acc.
I contacted Visteon using numbers on their website under "Contact Us" and called around until I got someone. Eventually I had to write a detailed email explaining everything and I did get an automated reply. Nothing further just aggravation.
I had this problem, ended up just being a wire that was ran under my dash had a shitty crip connector i was kicking and causin it to go off or back on. I know it sounds stupid but thats what it was for me lol!
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Steigmier Stage V+, Welded TB and Plenum, BF 2.76, 4 BF Idlers, Gates Belt, KB BAP, LFP H/E, Ford Racing 60# INJ, K&N FIPK, Diablo MAFia, MGW Orange Handle, Autometer Boost and A/F Gauge, BF IRS Brace, Mac Cat-back Exhaust, Mac Catted X-Pipe, Nitto 555's
I had this problem, ended up just being a wire that was ran under my dash had a shitty crip connector i was kicking and causin it to go off or back on. I know it sounds stupid but thats what it was for me lol!
More details please on the wire. Was it one wire in a cable harness or a single standalone wire? What approximate location? near fuse box or along the side closer to the kick panel. I am guessing that is where my problem is also. I ran a wire for the fuel pump upgrade from the battery to the trunk and I had to bring it through the firewall under the driverside below the dash board.
How did you determine that the loose contact was the problem - was the cluster flickering as you moved your feet? Anyhow good troubleshooting!!!!!
Last edited by Fastlane Cobra; 08-19-2009 at 04:17 AM.
Yes which wire exactly maybe we can get to the bottom of this. I went to the dealer they just told me to replace the whole cluster and get it over with we have it for $399.99 or we can diagnose the problem for $89.95 WTF!!! F**king A Holes man the D**k head talked like I Shit money!! Mother Furniture Son of a Biscuit !!!
Last edited by CobradaCableGuy; 08-19-2009 at 01:28 AM.
I've been looking off and on about the Electroluminescent lighting, from what it sounds like the inverter took a dump. I'm curious if there is a comparable aftermarket one that can be slaved in for troubleshooting? I'm poking around as well. Info seems to be scarce. Not to mention Visteon makes it pretty clear they will not provide additional documentation for their products. Poooooo!
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"Just as long as everyone does what I say, my communication skills are just fine" -Jesse James
2003 Black Cobra 'Vert
Last edited by SickBlackMach; 08-19-2009 at 01:55 PM.
I've been looking off and on about the Electroluminescent lighting, from what it sounds like the inverter took a dump. I'm curious if there is a comparable aftermarket one that can be slaved in for troubleshooting? I'm poking around as well. Info seems to be scarce. Not to mention Visteon makes it pretty clear they will not provide additional documentation for their products. Poooooo!
Maybe a real good electrition can do some sort of magic. Do we have any good electritions here on board? Anyone Anyone Bueller Bueller.
Last edited by CobradaCableGuy; 08-30-2009 at 03:05 AM.
I believe the inverter converts it from dc to ac. so applying dc voltage will do nothing. If you will need to find out what the voltage is coming out of that inverter. You could call speedhut or another aftermarket gauge manufacturer. They use this technology in their green glow back lighting in their gauges. See if they could give you some pointers. speedjut sells inverters for thier gauges. they also have one to change the colors. If you called them about thier part and asked to speak with one their techs I bet you could get some where toward getting this fixed relativly cheap.
If I had to guess I'd say it was the inverter and not the backlighting part.
I believe the inverter converts it from dc to ac. so applying dc voltage will do nothing. If you will need to find out what the voltage is coming out of that inverter. You could call speedhut or another aftermarket gauge manufacturer. They use this technology in their green glow back lighting in their gauges. See if they could give you some pointers. speedjut sells inverters for thier gauges. they also have one to change the colors. If you called them about thier part and asked to speak with one their techs I bet you could get some where toward getting this fixed relativly cheap.
If I had to guess I'd say it was the inverter and not the backlighting part.
That's along the lines of what I was thinking. I was kinda hoping that an electrical surplus store would sell just the inverter. Worst case, it would be worth a try to see what output those aftermarket gauges inverter gives. If that's the case, one would just need a reference voltage from the stock unit for testing/comparison with an aftermarket unit.
Do any other Fords use this lighting setup? Heck, I'm sure another manufacturer has used this before. I bet if we keep digging, we should be able to find a feasible aftermarket fix for this!
I'm sure you could find a source at a electronics supply type place (not radio shack). but for 11.00 plus shipping I'd try the speedhut unit. He just needs to make sure the voltage is in the same range as stock. The speedhut unit has a dimmer on it which varies this output voltage.
Alright guys glad to say my cluster is now working illuminated!!! Took it to a buddy of mine and he hooked me up. If you guys need yours repaired send it to me I'll take it to this guy he will include all parts, crimps and easy wiring instructions so your cluster still illuminates with headlamp switch same on and off. He charged me $120 I told him a couple of guys from the forum needed theirs repaired also he agreed to $95. You guys pay shipping both ways with a prepaid return shipping from FedEx. LMK
my email: hpcobra_347@hotmail.com
Will take paypal with fees.
YOU CAN SEE BY THE MILES IT"S THE SAME CLUSTER...
Before:
After:
Last edited by CobradaCableGuy; 08-25-2009 at 12:58 PM.
Can you ask your buddy if he knows anything about the pats system? I'm wanting to put an 03/04 cluster in my 01 cobra without loosing my pats system...
Can you ask your buddy if he knows anything about the pats system? I'm wanting to put an 03/04 cluster in my 01 cobra without loosing my pats system...
Yeah I asked he said that actually he does not know the wiring of the mustang. He's just working on the cluster's illuminecence right now.
2004 Cobra Gauge cluster not lighting up at Night
Electroluminescence
Linear Mode
