'99 Taurus radio/climate control display

[oompah]

I'm having a problem with the digital display in the radio/climate control panel of my '99 Taurus SE - sometimes it lights up, sometimes it doesn't. This happens while in park, reverse, or drive. One minute the displays are lit, and the next minute, the whole panel is dark - but the radio/CD/tape is still playing, and the heat/AC is still on. This may happen every day, or may work fine for a week or so, and then start in with the problem again. Also, the whole panel seems a bit loose - more on the passenger side than the driver's side - you can actually wiggle it, or lift it up a bit. If you push on the control panel, or lift it up, the display lights up again. Could there just be a loose connection? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[KimMG]

Check for loose electrical connections.

[NeoSNightmarE]

that sounds like a faulty connection or something along those lines.

[stevelew]

I have the same problem I think replacing the light bulb would fix it. I removed the radio/AC facing using a gadget that fits in the holes on both sides of the facing. The whole thing pops out. There's only suppose to be one bulb that lights up the whole facing. To get to the bulb I think you have to unscrew everything from the back side and the bulb will be right there. My mechanic says it's a lot of work but I haven't tried it yet. There's about 4-6 torx screws on the back side that has to be removed and that should expose that bulb. Maybe this weekend. The gizmo to remove the front panel costs around $6 at Shucks or you can use a coat hanger. Good luck.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by oompah

I'm having a problem with the digital display in the radio/climate control panel of my '99 Taurus SE - sometimes it lights up, sometimes it doesn't. This happens while in park, reverse, or drive. One minute the displays are lit, and the next minute, the whole panel is dark - but the radio/CD/tape is still playing, and the heat/AC is still on. This may happen every day, or may work fine for a week or so, and then start in with the problem again. Also, the whole panel seems a bit loose - more on the passenger side than the driver's side - you can actually wiggle it, or lift it up a bit. If you push on the control panel, or lift it up, the display lights up again. Could there just be a loose connection? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Do you lose just the backlighting, or the entire display? I have a '98 SHO with the Mach system and electronic HVAC controls. On mine, the backlighting would randomly go out, but the display showing the station, the clock, and the temperature would remain working. On mine, it turned out to be a bad solder joint to the inverter for the backlighting. There is no bulb in mine, it uses something similar to Indiglo backlighting (can't think of the phrase right now). I resoldered a few questionable joints and haven't had any problems since (going on 6 months now) and it used to occur a couple times a week.

-Rod
'98 Taurus SHO
'93 Dodge Stealth R/T twin turbo

[Tohot2se]

mine does the same thing...and even the ford dealership couldnt fix it..so they say.

Goes in and out whenever..sometimes not at all for awhile..and if you tap on it..it comes back on.