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Instrument cluster being removed effect the alternater - 1994
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jenn1399
New User
| Posts: 1
| Joined: 05/09
Posted: 05/27/09
05:14 PM
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We recently had the instrument cluster taken out of our 1994 Mustang to have it rebuilt (it seems the gear drive on the odometer was broken) Driving it home from the shop without the cluster, I noticed some power issues (radio, clock type things) & now, it has no power what-so-ever. The battery was replaced 3k miles ago, so that shouldn't be the problem.
It seems like the alternater isn't working. Can the missing instrument cluster cause this? I've googled, but haven't had any luck on this topic. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jenn
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Posted: 05/28/09
05:40 AM
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That's exactly what happened. The charge indicator light sends power to the exciter circuit (green/red stripe) which turns on, or excites, the alternator. With the cluster removed the alternator never turned on (it had no signal from the ignition switch saying it needed "help")...
See this diagram:
Personally I would not have driven a car without the gauge cluster. Far too much can go wrong, such as loss of oil pressure, overheating, etc. and you have nothing indicating there's an issue. The removal of the cluster is very easy and I would have done it at home and dropped it off for the repair.
Anyway, the car is home now and you know the problem. Charge the battery and when your cluster is fixed I would get it with another car and reinstall it myself...
HTH...
Mark
Mark Houlahan
Editor
Modified Mustangs & Fords Magazine
1965 FFR Roadster 427W/TKO-600
1966 Mustang 289-4V/C4
1968 Mustang 4.6L Three-Valve/5R55S auto
1990 Mustang 347/AOD
1998 Escort 2.0L SOHC/F4E-111 Auto
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4.0L V-6/5R55 Auto
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