2003 GT Mustang 4.6 Anti-Slosh Module

I can't find any info on where, or if there is an anti-slosh module designed into the dash cluster of a 2003 GT Mustang with a 4.6 SOHC engine. The picture provided here on the left, is actually from a 1998 Cobra which shows the dash cluster with the anti-slosh module which snaps into the lower right hand side of back of the dash cluster. The picture on the right, is a dash cluster, from a 2003 GT Mustang with 4.6 engine. It does not appear to have an anti-slosh module installed anywhere on it, at least not that I know of. If anyone has any info, or can share pictures with the rest of us, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support, Tommy.

R.J. said:

Call a dealer and see if they have one listed for your car. If they do and you need one, check out your PM's.

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Yes, I have called a Ford Parts Dealership in my area. They don't show a listing for an anti-slosh module for a 2003 GT Mustang. I'm wondering if Ford has now designed these anti-slush modules directly into the main dash cluster circuit board. That would explain why they aren't seen on the exterior portion of the rear of the dash cluster, like they are on the earlier models. Again, if anyone has any info on this, please share that info with the rest of us. It will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Tommy.

bdcardinal said:

it is only serviced in the cluster assembly.

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Would you have any documentation of your findings? Any diagrams? Thank you for your support, Tommy.

Ok, for those who may be interested, this is what I was looking for:

The 2003 mustang doesnt have a replaceable Anti-Slosh module, it is incorporated into the workings of the instrument cluster, the cluster is a programable module that has to be programed to the car to operate properly, this is from the service manual.

Fuel Gauge
NOTE: It is critical to follow the pinpoint test diagnostic methods to make sure the correct mode is being used during diagnostics.
The instrument cluster receives the fuel level signal from the fuel level sensor, part of the fuel pump module. The fuel level sensor measures variable resistance in the fuel tank depending on the current fuel level. When the fuel level is low, the resistance in the unit is low (15 ohms ± 2 ohms). When the fuel level is high, the resistance in the unit is high (160 ohms ± 4 ohms).


The instrument cluster uses 4 different operating modes to calculate the fuel level:
key OFF fueling
anti-slosh (default mode)
key ON fueling
recovery
After a fuel fill up, the time for the fuel gauge to move from empty (E) to full (F) ranges from 2 seconds to 55 minutes depending on which operating mode the fuel gauge is in.


The key OFF fueling mode (2 seconds to read empty [E] to full [F]) requires 3 conditions be met:
The key must be in the OFF position when refueling the vehicle.
At least 15 percent of the vehicle's fuel capacity must be added to the fuel tank.
The instrument cluster must receive a valid key ON fuel sender reading within 1 second of the key being put into the RUN position. The key ON sample readings are considered valid if the fuel sender reading is between 15 ohms ± 2 ohms and 160 ohms ± 4 ohms. If these conditions are not met, the fuel gauge stays in the anti-slosh mode, which results in a slow to read full (F) event.
The default fuel gauge mode is called the anti-slosh mode. To prevent fuel gauge changes from fuel slosh (gauge instability due to changes in fuel sender readings caused by fuel moving around in the tank), the fuel gauge takes approximately 55 minutes to go from full (F) to empty (E).


The key ON fueling mode (approximately 90 seconds to read empty [E] to full [F]) requires 3 conditions be met:
The transmission is in park (P) (automatic transmissions), or the parking brake applied (manual transmissions).
The key is in the RUN position.
At least 15 percent of the vehicle's fuel capacity must be added to the fuel tank.
In key ON fueling mode, a 30 second timer activates after the transmission is put into the park (P) position (automatic transmissions) or when the parking brake is applied (manual transmissions). When the 30 second time has elapsed and at least 15 percent of the vehicle's fuel capacity has been added, the fuel gauge response time is 90 seconds to read from empty (E) to full (F). When the transmission is shifted out of park (P) or the parking brake is released, the fuel gauge strategy reverts to the anti-slosh mode. This mode prevents slow to read full events from happening if the customer refuels the vehicle with the key in the RUN position.


Recovery mode is incorporated into the instrument cluster strategy to recover from a missing fuel level message during a refueling event. Missing fuel level messages result from intermittent opens in the fuel sender or its circuits. Recovery mode (empty [E] to full [F] approximately 20 minutes) is initiated when the following 2 conditions are met:
The instrument cluster is in the anti-slosh (default) mode.
The actual fuel level in the tank is greater than what is being displayed by the fuel gauge.

Anti-Slosh Module Built Into The Dash Cluster

This is just my opinion. It seems to me that some Automotive Manufacturers are designing their vehicles, so that when parts need to be replaced, you have to take the vehicle in to the respective Dealerships to have the repairs done. This is why they are in big trouble today. Because of their greed for kickbacks, they are losing their loyal customers. I for one, don't enjoy taking my vehicle in for every little thing that breaks down. Simple problems that could be repaired by the owner, must be repaired by the Dealership, just because of the way it was designed. If these Automotive Manufactures don't wake up and change the way they design their vehicles, they will never recover, and sell their cars. People are getting smarter and are tired of the BS.

Anti-Slosh Module Built Into The Dash Cluster

mransr said:

an intersting theory...but the manufacturer that is by FAR the worst for proprietary parts, undocumented changes (to anyone but dealers) and selling only assemblies is also about the only manufacturer to be making a profit these days...Honda...

no, that whole "only service assemblies" is something the American companies picked up from the Japanese manufacturers because it saves a butt load of money...forcing customers back to the dealers is only a side benefit...

but...dash assemblies are plentiful on eBay and it would probably be cheaper to get a whole used dash than a new anti-slosh module from the dealer (if it was available)...heck if I knew where my old one was I'd send it to you

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Well, I will be performing some test shortly to check out the gauge itself. If I find that the gauge is defective, I may at that point go with an after market gauge, still not sure. Yes, Ebay has some good deals on dash clusters, but, you are taking a chance on buying something that may have defects of it's own. You just never know until it is too late. I will keep you all informed of my progress. Thanks for your support, Tommy.

Anti-Slosh Module Built Into The Dash Cluster

trinity_gt said:

For a module that, separately, looks generally like this:

I'd be very surprised if the problem isn't simply a cracked solder joint. It's pretty unlikely any other part on that module would be bad. Single-sided printed-circuits are cheap but they aren't particularly robust....

Perhaps the cluster can be disassembled and inspected for "simple" things of this nature.

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The Anti-Slosh Modules for the 2003 GT Mustangs are now designed into the main dash cluster circuit board. They are not designed like the 1990-1995 Mustang chips that simply snap into place, like the one you provided in the picture. The only option I would have is to purchase the early model module and hook it up with an after market fuel level gauge. This may be my best option at this point. There are others who are doing exactly that as we speak. I'm trying to get feedback from them to see how things worked out. Thank you for your support, Tommy.

Anti-Slosh Module Built Into The Dash Cluster

trinity_gt said:

Actually, the date code on the Philips chip on the ASM in the picture I provided suggests 1997 ("9736" == 36th month of 1997) This module -- or one very much like it -- looks to be what's installed in the Cobra cluster (left pic in your OP.)

With the 03 units though, as you say, the module electronics are integrated. It's possible that the same or similar electronics are used, simply integrated into the cluster rather than being a separate board. If you were to disassemble the 2003 cluster and inspect it, do you see similar components?

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Hi Mike, we have not removed the dash cluster yet. I was planning on doing that today. After I remove it, I will inspect it to see if I can identity how the Ford engineers designed the anti-slosh module into the dash cluster for the 2003 GT Mustangs. If possible I will take some pictures. Thanks for your support, Tommy.