2005 F150 Instrument Cluster

by Christine Chan August 13, 2022

ISS Automotive offers professionally built Ford F150 Instrument Clusters that meet and exceed dealership standards. Failing clusters can be frustrating on older trucks. The good news is that our team is able to help provide expert-built clusters that are fully tested and programmed with fast service and a lifetime warranty.

If you are looking to purchase a Ford F150 Instrument Cluster click > Replacement

How do you know if your dash cluster is bad?

An intermittent power draws to the cluster. The cluster will work some of the time, but won't all of the time and the red brake light on the cluster is always on.

The battery light on the cluster is lit up at all times or dims and brightens with rpm. The needle jumps back and forth across the speedometer.

If you have more than one dash warning light on, for example, the airbag light and check engine light both on, pull over to investigate your vehicle yourself or tow the vehicle to your local mechanic. Driving with either of these warning lights on can cause further damage to your car, and neither should be ignored.

Power windows won't work. Power door locks won't work. The turn signal indicators on the cluster don't light up when you use the turn signals.

ABS light is on. The traction control light is on. Both of these lights being lit up on the cluster usually indicate a problem with one of the sensors or the circuit board in the cluster.

The cluster will not display anything at all, no speedometer needle or lights/warning indicators.

If you've checked all of the above and still don't know, we recommend bringing your vehicle to a mechanic for inspection or repair and if you're confident in doing some basic wiring yourself bring it to your local dealership for testing.

How do you remove the instrument cluster on a 2005 Ford F150?

To remove an instrument cluster on a 2005 Ford F 150, you must remove the steering column.

To do this, you will need a steering wheel puller and a flathead screwdriver.

Open your hood and locate the large plastic cover that covers your steering column. There are two screws that hold it in place, located at the bottom of each side of the plastic piece. Take out these two screws.
Pull up on the cover and remove it from your steering column. This will expose the ignition switch, turn signal assembly, and a few wires leading to the lights on your dash.
Remove the plastic push-pin-looking piece by pulling it out with pliers or grabbing it with needle-nose pliers and pulling it out.
Remove the turn signal assembly and ignition switch by taking out the two screws on either side of each of them and pulling them off their mounts (which are connected to the steering column).
You can now remove your entire steering column from your truck by using a steering wheel puller tool that you must buy at an auto parts store (it will probably run you about $15). You can also rent them at an auto parts store. Insert the tool into one of the holes on your steering wheel, and turn it counter-clockwise until the steering wheel is removed from your truck. This will expose more wires that you must disconnect before removing your entire column out of your truck.
Disconnect these wires and your dashboard will slide out of the dash slightly. Once you have done this, it should be easy to remove from your truck by pulling up on it.

The instrument cluster is located behind the cluster in a single plug that is easily removed with a flat blade screwdriver or trim panel tool.

What are the lights on the instrument cluster?

The lights on the instrument cluster are indicators of problems that may occur with your vehicle.

A LED upgrade can be done to remove all of the warning lights from the cluster.

The perfect complement to a new LED tail light or headlights upgrade is this plug-and-play LED light grouping. No cutting, splicing, crimping, or removal of factory wiring harnesses is required as these LEDs are direct fit replacements for your existing bulbs. This eliminates any possibility of incorrect installation, error codes, or undesired operation caused by aftermarket wiring.

Click here to read: 2006 Ford F150 Instrument Cluster Lights [Replacement] >

Can I drive my truck without the instrument cluster?

Yes, but if your check engine light is on and you can't get it off for 5 minutes after starting up the truck, then you should make plans to get your truck fixed as soon as possible. Also, driving without the instrument cluster at all would be very difficult as there are no gauges such as a speedometer or odometer.

Intermittent power of your cluster can be caused by bad ground, corrosion between the cluster and the truck itself, or a poor connection at the cluster harness. If you have to wiggle your connector in order for your cluster to work then chances are that this is where the problem lies.

Why is my dash cluster not working?

Reasons, why your dash cluster is not working, can range from a dead battery to fried fuses. A blown fuse is most likely if your gauges are not working at all. If only some of the gauges are out, then it could be a bad connection or short in one of the fuses.

If you have any more questions about your instrument cluster, please feel free to contact us at ISS Automotive!

How do you remove the gauge cluster on a Ford f150?

To remove the instrument cluster from a Ford F 150, there are five screws holding it in place. They are located under the plastic caps on top of the dash. The first two or three screw locations may be difficult to see; they are accessible through small indents on either side of the cluster. Once these screws are out, carefully pry around the edges of the dash to loosen it. Do not pull too hard or you may damage your own vehicle.

Once the dash is removed, you will see two or three more screws in the cluster itself. These screws are not visible unless you remove the upper plastic cover of the cluster.

Finally, there are four connectors on the backside of your gauge cluster that must be disconnected before removing it from your vehicle completely. One connector towards the left side of your instrument cluster is for your temperature gauge. The other three connectors are for the rest of your gauges and must be disconnected before you can remove the cluster completely from your vehicle.

Do not try to remove these wiring connections with a flathead screwdriver or anything sharp, as this may cut the wire or damage the housing on the back of your instrument cluster.

How do you know if a cluster is bad?

There are many signs of bad instrument clusters. If the speedometer is not working correctly, then it's most likely just a loose connection. The needle may simply need to be reset or the drive cable on the back of the speedometer assembly has come off of its track. If there are problems with any other gear in your gauge cluster, then you will have to get a new cluster.

A cluster that works perfectly for several weeks may suddenly stop working. If you're having this problem, then it is more than likely a shortage in the electrical system of your vehicle. This could be at any number of connectors or wiring harnesses that are located throughout your truck. You can check for these types of problems by using a voltage tester on each wire at their connection points. The voltage should be between 11 and 14 volts. If this value is lower than normal, then you may need to clean the connectors and terminals or replace them completely.

One other way to determine if a gauge cluster is bad is if your check engine light appears on the dash but goes away once you turn off your truck and restart it.

Can I drive my truck without a cluster?

Yes, you could drive your truck without the instrument cluster, but it would be difficult. The speedometer and odometer are not necessary to drive your truck, but other indicators such as gas level are very important. If your check engine light is on, then you should pull over because you have already exceeded the length of time that you can lean running without the check engine light on.

ISS Automotive can repair your cluster that works perfectly with a quick turnaround time and an affordable price!

Click here to read: Ford F150 Gas Gauge Not Working [Replacements] >

How do you fix an instrument cluster?

To fix an instrument cluster, you must remove it from your vehicle and take a look at what seems to be the problem. If the speedometer isn't working correctly, then you may need to reset the needle by pushing it back all the way across its range. You can do this by hand or with a set of pliers. If that doesn't work, then you will need to remove the gauge cluster from your vehicle and take a look at the drive cable on the back of your speedometer gauge. This is usually an easy fix.

If there are problems with any other part of your gauges, then you will have to replace that particular gauge or buy a new Ford F 150 cluster altogether. A professional can do a great job fixing the unit fast.

Replacing the unit can give you a fast turnaround time. Repairing it can give you a low price on quality parts and professional workmanship.

How do you remove the instrument cluster on a 2009 Ford F 150?

To remove the instrument cluster on a 2009 Ford F 150, start by turning off all of your vehicle's accessories. Remove the four screws that are located behind the trim panel at the bottom of your dashboard. It will be easier if you pry it with something like a flat head screwdriver or putty knife to release the clips holding it into place.

Go over to the driver's side of your dashboard and remove the two screws holding down the trim panel directly above your knee. Then, again using a prying tool, lift up the trim panel to release it from its clips. Turn off all of your vehicle's accessories before you continue.

Go over to the passenger's side of your dashboard and remove the two screws holding down the trim panel directly above your knee. Then, again using a prying tool, lift up the trim panel to release it from its clips. Turn off all of your vehicle's accessories before you continue.

Remove both sides of the plastic cover surrounding your instrument cluster by releasing its retaining clips with a prying tool. The four screws holding it down are located behind the cover itself. Turn off all of your vehicle's accessories before you continue.

Remove the two screws from the top of your instrument cluster and remove any wires or connectors plugged into it, then pull up to remove it from your dash for access to the wiring underneath. To install your new one, simply reverse the order in which you removed the old instrument cluster.

Set a time to replace a car engine air filter and check it out, if that doesn't work then try setting a certain date for each day of the week until something can be done. This is especially good when you have exams coming up because telling your teacher that you had a certain date of the week to get an assignment in means that your teacher won't think it's late.

How do you remove the instrument panel on a Ford F150?

To remove the instrument panel on a Ford F 150, start by turning off all of your vehicle's accessories. Remove the four screws that are located behind the trim panel at the bottom of your dashboard. It will be easier if you pry it with something like a flat head screwdriver or putty knife to release the clips holding it into place.

How do you remove the instrument cluster on a 2008 Ford f150?

To remove the instrument cluster on a 2008 Ford F 150, start by shutting off all of the vehicle's accessories. Remove the two screws that are located at the top of your instrument cluster and pull them out from behind your dashboard. Disconnect any wires or connectors that may be attached to it, then remove the four screws that are located on the backside. Reverse this entire process in order to install your new instrument cluster.

How do you take apart a Ford F150 dashboard?

To take apart a Ford F 150 dashboard, start by turning off all of your vehicle's accessories, then remove the trim panel that is located directly above your knee. Next, remove the two screws on both sides of your instrument cluster using a flathead screwdriver or putty knife to release its clips. Then disconnect any wires or connectors before removing them from behind your dashboard. Unscrew the screws that are securing your dashboard, then turn off all of your vehicle's accessories once again before removing the dashboard. Reversing this entire process should result in a properly reassembled dashboard.

You can also search videos on "How to take apart a Ford f150 dashboard" for more information.