General Technical & Electrical General technical and electrical discussion for the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

swaped gauge cluster theft light no longer works

Old Jun 26, 2009
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crucialcolin's Avatar
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From: Roseville, CA
swaped gauge cluster theft light no longer works

I just noticed this last night that my anti theft flashing red light in my gauge cluster is no longer working. Everything works perfectly. I believe its supposed to be flashing when the doors are fully locked(remote entry power door locks after the honk). I just recently swaped to a new 2003 silver gauge cluster in my 2000 truck from the standard black one. I know the theft light was working before the swap.

I also tried swapping the red led from the old cluster into the new one with no luck. Other then that I'm not sure what else to check. Does anyone have any ideas or advice on how to resolve it?

thanks :)
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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From: Roseville, CA
hrm to update apparently the wiring is different between 2000 trucks and 2003s to the theft light.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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Yes, the later theft light is switched on the ground side and the earlier light is switched on the power side. The clusters are set up differently to match.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
Yes, the later theft light is switched on the ground side and the earlier light is switched on the power side. The clusters are set up differently to match.
When did this happen?
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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From: Roseville, CA
Originally Posted by rwenzing
Yes, the later theft light is switched on the ground side and the earlier light is switched on the power side. The clusters are set up differently to match.
hrm so I'm thinking if it might work if i were to switch the LED around(so its installed backwards)?

I'd really like to get this working again even if i have to manually tap into wires behind the cluster(not sure which) and abandon hooking the led up to the circuit board on the cluster.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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Originally Posted by RangerNDog
When did this happen?
1995~2000 is switched power. Switched ground for 2001~2006.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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Originally Posted by crucialcolin
I'd really like to get this working again even if i have to manually tap into wires behind the cluster(not sure which) and abandon hooking the led up to the circuit board on the cluster.
I believe it would require either mods to the circuit film or independent custom wiring to the LED. There could also be an issue with where the current limiting resistor for the LED is located.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
I believe it would require either mods to the circuit film or independent custom wiring to the LED. There could also be an issue with where the current limiting resistor for the LED is located.
yeah I was thinking about abandoning the film on the back and grabbing the two wires that are supposed to go into the 2000 cluster then wiring them up to an led with a proper resister...of course i would check voltage/amps with my trusty multimeter first.

Problem is I don't know what wires on the harness are the positive/negative for the theft light on a 2000.
 
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Old Jun 26, 2009
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Originally Posted by crucialcolin
Problem is I don't know what wires on the harness are the positive/negative for the theft light on a 2000.
2000:
+ dark blue/light green (switched hot from the PATS Module)
- black (chassis ground)

2003
+ white/yellow (hot from dash fuse 26)
- dark blue/light green (ground switched by the PCM)

Both years should have a current limiting resistor for the LED that could be either onboard the cluster assembly somewhere or in the controlling module. The documentation seems to give the cluster as the resistor location in the 2003 but does not specify for the 2000.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2009
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From: Roseville, CA
Originally Posted by rwenzing
2000:
+ dark blue/light green (switched hot from the PATS Module)
- black (chassis ground)
Awesome thanks for the help :) I'm thinking i stick a led in there hooked up to those wires + resister if required(most likely). Also I'm tempted to add a second one to the top of the dash or driver side door as sort of a theft deterant feature due to the flashing leds.
 
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Old Jun 28, 2009
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You can mod your led if you choose.

Name:  blueteftled.jpg
Views: 298
Size:  15.3 KB

Best pic i have of mine. Its a bit of a PITA though.
 
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Old Jun 30, 2009
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From: Roseville, CA
Originally Posted by Blhde
You can mod your led if you choose.
Its a bit of a PITA though.
Looks good. I think I'd like to stay with red though. I'm curious as to how it was a bit of a pita? Also what resister did you use?

I'm thinking I'll cut the theft light wires before it goes into the harnes, then solder new wires into those running them into the spot in the cluster for the theft led. Next I'll solder on a resister to the new led. Then I'll mount the led/resister with glue inside the housing somehow.
 
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