2002 Explorer gauges not working

[ricafort]

Need Help!!!

I'm out of warranty. My 2002 Ford Explorer XLT dashboard gauges are dead, all of them. Normally when i'm about to crank the engine, I can see all the icons on the dashboard lighted. But now, they're not, though I still have the dashboard background light working and can still adjust its luminance. The gauge meters are all in analog type. Also, the digital mileage reading is out, this is LED type. So basically, I don't know if my gas is empty or not and worse is I don't know what my speed is.

Is this something that I can do it myself? Is there any reset switch? I've checked all the fuses and they're all ok.

Please help.. Thanks

Ric

[XLT03]

Have you checked the power distribution box under the hood? They house some larger fuses.

From the sounds of what you described you may have a dead instrument cluster. It's a bit unusual for one to go out. This is a big job and $$$. Remedy is to go to Ford dealership and have them fix it.

How many miles on your 2002? Basic warranty is 3 years/36,000 miles. Have you gone over 36K? Can I assume that you did not buy the Extra/Premium Care ESP? If answer is yes, call Ford at Corporate office, phone number is inside owners manual and complain about problem and tell them that this type of problem should not happen so soon and ask for assistance. They may just help. I've done it before for my 92 and they paid for half of a transmission. Half better than none! Good Luck and let me know what happened.

[ricafort]

Thanks for the advice.

right, i'm already at 43k miles and i did not have extended warranty, too. i'll let you know my progress, if any

[JamesBorden]

I would check the Fuses under the Hood. I just solved my 4x4 Problem by simply removing the BatteryTerminal to check the fuses. Attached the Terminal and voila the 4x4 is working fine now.

[JamesBorden]

Do other 2002 Explorers have the constant rattle coming from the steering column and dash?

[ExplorerFX]

I know for myself about the gauges and needles not working... Same thing happened to my 98. I just bought another cluster and everything turned out fine. Yes, i know 02 and 98 are far apart, just thought I'd try to help

[Opera House]

I bet the battery idiot light still works. Have you ever had the dash apart? many have complained about this problem after that. Evidently it is a problem getting the dash electrical connectors to properly seat. If you have a good chiropractor you can reach back there. And my first comment, The battery idiot light turns on the regulator in the alternator. If that connection breaks, no charging. If the bulb just burns out, that is ok. They put a resistor parallel to the lamp to keep it working.