Hi, my dashboard gauges (speed, tach, fuel level, oil) keep losing power and dropping to 0 (just like when the car is off) also the LCD display that shows my odometer and speed turns off. It stays off for a few seconds usually, but sometimes I have to smack the dashboard to get them to come back on.
I know this is a local problem to the gauge cluster because everything else in the electrical system is fine (headlights work, radio works, turn-signal "lights" of the dashboard work)
I read online that this can happen if the wiring into the back of the gauge cluster loses its insulation from rubbing against the car frame. The wire touches the frame and grounds, and the cluster loses power. So the expensive solution is for the dashboard to be disassembled and the wire replaced.
I'm wondering though, if the wire just needs some slack so it isn't touching the car frame where the sheathing is worn. So my question is, does anyone know where the wiring that goes into the gauge cluster comes out? There are wires that come out under the steering wheel, wires that come out under the hood... wires everywhere lol. I know where is probably a large single wire for electrical power that goes behind the dashboard and then splits to many wires for the dash, radio, etc, but I'm hoping if I can even find that one large wire and move it around a bit if I can even make a 1/4" of slack the dash light might not ground anymore.
The car is a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis.