What is your question?
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What is your question?
When turned on I can see everything, then when I start it I have only dashes ,with abs,brake and traction lights on.The background lights all come on...just not the info.While driving the entire thing will just come on properly, then after a while just goes off again. During off time nothing changes except steering tightens up slightly. Ford told me I need a new cluster, but DNA ( who specializes in repair) tech told me on the phone it could be a communication issue in computer, and that wouldn't fix it. I haven't heard this from anyone else. It runs no different,and everything works during the off periods which is most of the time. I read something about the key might stop working, and as a 78 y.old female, I don't want that to happen while I'm out.
What makes this problem better or worse?
Nothing....
How long has your 2003 Lincoln Town Car had this problem?
A few months.
2 Replies
Its very possible you need a new cluster as the circuit board could be on its way out. I would trust the dealer who looked at the car. Its tough to diagnose things over the phone. If they do a cluster and its not fixed its on them. Alex
Yeap,that's what the dealer told me on my problem over the phone(different vehicle,different problem). I explained what mine was doing and ask them if they could repair it,and the Service Department Supervisor said,NOPE there is NO repair? He said that I needed to bring my vehicle to them,replace the Cluster with a new one and then they would have to re-program my keys to the new cluster or the vehicle would not start! I asked him the price and he said $1600.00! I then ask him again,are you sure my cluster can't be repaired,and he said it can not be repaired. What I didn't tell him was that I had already FIXED it myself,for around 20 cents and a couple hours of my time,from research! Like I said,you have a different problem,although I have heard of it and some say it's the ABS Module and or maybe the cluster or both? I would try and find an Independent,local,trusted repair shop,with the proper scan tools to scan for codes first. The dealer's price is going to be very costly,and the might tell you ONE like they told me ONE! good luck with it....
You're right..he quoted me $1400. What makes me thinks its actually the cluster itself is that it never fails to start,doesn't cut off and runs good even when the cluster is "off ". I'll go with your suggestion in finding a repair shop. Thanks.
try researching a little more,i did for a while until i found on a forum with step by step detailed instructions with pictures,so it wasn't so bad for me. i had the FAMOUS FORD TRUCK ODOMETER BLACKOUT PROBLEM! the digital odometer would just black out(can't see the miles) then it would work when it wanted to. it was bad/cold solder connection(s) from the factory on the PCB inside the cluster,where the odometer ribbon cable plugs in(reverse side) i just re-soldered the 9 connections,although some said just the ground pin/trace,but i did all,didn't want to take the cluster out again,that was 51,000 miles ago,no problems since. good luck with yours...
Thats what my towncar does. It lights up ,but shows only dashes where the numbers should be. Could you suggest what kind of professional I should go to that is not the dealership ?