instrument panel going crazy

97f350stroker · May 26, 2014

Well yesterday on the way home towing a about 4000 pounds I began to climb a hill and all of the sudden my radio kicked off and the battery light came on. Figured my alternator was taking a crap on me and I was only about 15 mins from home so I continued driving it. Every time I would hit the accelerator the entire cluster would shut down and when I'd let off everything would come back on. The abs light would also intermittently come on and off. Not sure where to go from here, alternator was replaced not too long ago and has a lifetime warranty but don't wanna just throw parts at it.

Stroked777 · May 26, 2014

I would test your battery's and the alternator to rule that out, if those check out it could be a short somewhere or a bad ground

boggerr · May 27, 2014

Just had the same problem not too long ago, there is a post about it on here. Check the plug on the alt. mine had a broken wire right at the plug.

97f350stroker · May 27, 2014

boggerr said:
Just had the same problem not too long ago, there is a post about it on here. Check the plug on the alt. mine had a broken wire right at the plug.

Will do thanks.

97f350stroker · May 27, 2014

So I'm guessing this is an issue lol. I'm having a heck of a time getting that sucker unplugged though. Also what do I do to fix that

97f350stroker · May 27, 2014

97f350stroker · May 27, 2014

Is there a way to pull the plug apart and cut the wires back and put it back together

Stroked777 · May 27, 2014

I would call ford and see if they sell a pig tail

97f350stroker · May 27, 2014

Here's another pic for reference.

97f350stroker · May 28, 2014

Found this after a little searching. Guess I'll call some dealers and see if I can't get my hands on one today.

boggerr · May 28, 2014

Yup, that's what mine looked like. Just get that new plug from ford and you will be set. Leave the wires a little longer when you cut them from the new plug, you can go around the one hose so it doesn't chaff again.

97f350stroker · May 28, 2014

Local dealer had the plug should be up and running again this evening

Stroked777 · May 28, 2014

Get heat shrink to make it weather proof so the new splice doesn't corrode

97f350stroker · May 28, 2014

The repair kit came with heat shrink. Just got it all buttoned back up and took it for a ride. No more light, no more crazy gauges everything seems normal again. Thanks for the help guys.