2002 Cougar Instrument Cluster

[ET16]

I just bought an '02 Cougar and am going through it. It seems that the main instrument cluster has faded, and when it's illuminated looks fuzzy, so I'm planning to replace it. I was wondering about the speedometer information. Would anyone know whether it is contained in the cluster or ECU? If it's in the cluster, could I swap the chip over to a new cluster to preserve mileage?

Thanks!

 

[StevieC]

They are stored in both the Instrument cluster and the ECU. What will likely happen when you replace the instrument cluster is it will do one of the following:

1) The ECU will override the new panel with the proper mileage. They negotiate on start-up to find out if one or the other has been changed.

or

2) The new panel will show whatever mileage was on it previously (if previously used) and will show an Asterisk or something to indicate that the mileage isn't accurate due to a change.

or

3) It sets your CEL and you need the dealer to setup the new panel with the right mileage for use with this vehicle.


On an '02 I would be more inclined to think the ECU will override the mileage with the proper one.

I'm not sure about the Cougar specifically but this is what I have seen in other vehicles where my dad has replaced the consoles...

Good luck!

 

[MrCritical]

It's fuzzy because some idiot armor-alled it.

 

[brianl703]

Get a wrecking yard cluster and just swap the lens. Then you don't have to worry about reprogramming it for the correct mileage.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Get a wrecking yard cluster and just swap the lens. Then you don't have to worry about reprogramming it for the correct mileage.


There's a great idea!

 

[bdcardinal]

iirc you have to download the data in the cluster to a scan tool, and then once the new one is installed, you upload the data. of course very few here own a scan tool that can do that.

 

[ET16]

Thanks for all your replies. The problem doesn't seem to be in the lens. It's back behind the translucent part inside. Maybe there's a way to swap that, but the digital readout area has some blotches, too.

 

[brianl703]

In that case you may just be able to swap the circuit board to a junkyard cluster, if the digital readout is separate from the circuit board (it probably is). You wouldn't need to reprogram anything.