Instrument Cluster Not Working

[Andrew06GT]

Hello everyone!

I have a 2006 Mustang GT Premium 5MT. For context, I'm doing some wiring re-work to remove harness connectors that are no longer needed and de-pinning anything that's irrelevant. I also have had the SRS module removed for quite a while now, as the car does not have airbags.

After disconnecting the battery, working on the interior harness, and putting everything back together my instrument cluster does not turn on at all, no gauges or anything.

The only pins I disconnected from the cluster connector were the air bag indicator control and air bag status tone control (Pin 23/24). Using a voltmeter, the 12V constant and 2x 12V ignition switched pins work to the connector ground, and the connector ground to another common ground reads below 5 Ohms. Is it possible that the cluster coincidentally went out right as I started wiring or am I missing something else that could be causing the cluster to not turn on at all?

Ford says if those pins and grounds read correctly, the instrument cluster is bad. To confirm, I check all the pins and none were pushed out, corroded or damaged. As well as, the connector was inserted correctly and seated as it should be.

I'm at a loss and anything helps right now. If it is the cluster, some advice on diagnosing the board would be appreciated as I'd like to learn.

 

[TexasBlownV8]

That's strange. A couple thoughts come to mind, might not help, but it might:
- is the connector plugged all the way in? I.e., pushed in, then the locking lever locks it in place.
- when connecting the connector properly, you should hear the cluster do "something", even with key off.
- is the diagram for '05/06? Wiring for '07+ could be different, but shouldn't be, as clusters can plug in and work across the 05-09 year range. But this was an initial thought I had before thinking about it.

Just make sure the connector is sliding in with the locking lever "out" and you're able to push it in and rotate the locking lever to lock it in place and complete the connection.

 

[Andrew06GT]

That's strange. A couple thoughts come to mind, might not help, but it might:
- is the connector plugged all the way in? I.e., pushed in, then the locking lever locks it in place.
- when connecting the connector properly, you should hear the cluster do "something", even with key off.
- is the diagram for '05/06? Wiring for '07+ could be different, but shouldn't be, as clusters can plug in and work across the 05-09 year range. But this was an initial thought I had before thinking about it.

Just make sure the connector is sliding in with the locking lever "out" and you're able to push it in and rotate the locking lever to lock it in place and complete the connection.

Connector is 100% locked in place correctly, but does not make a noise when plugged back in.

Yes, the diagram is for my VIN specific straight from the Ford PTS Workshop.

It's so odd to me that it's not even receiving power even though the connector pins are. Leads me to believe there's something specifically wrong with the cluster.

 

[86GT351]

Without digging into wire diagrams my first thought might be pin 23 or 24. By incompleting the air bag circuit like that it might cause an issue with lighting. I know I have seen Fox bodies do things like that with oil pressure and alternator lights.

 

[Andrew06GT]

Without digging into wire diagrams my first thought might be pin 23 or 24. By incompleting the air bag circuit like that it might cause an issue with lighting. I know I have seen Fox bodies do things like that with oil pressure and alternator lights.

It would make sense but the wires from pins 23/24 go directly to the SRS Module which I depowered and removed from the car about a month ago.

 

[86GT351]

OK. Like mentined, I did not dig into wire diagrams

 

[iDigsthe3v]

Did it end up being the cluster?

 

[Andrew06GT]

Did it end up being the cluster?

Yes