• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Instrument Cluster Fuse Popping

  • Thread starter Thread starter utemachine
  • Start date Start date Jan 15, 2017
  • Tags Tags
    5amp fuse instrument cluster

utemachine

Active Member
Nov 7, 2015
62
25
38
Jan 15, 2017
#1
  • Jan 15, 2017
  • #1
When I bought my 89 the 5amp fuse was blown. I am changing the instrument bulbs to LED and every time I turn on the headlight the 5amp fuse pops. Any ideas what's causing this? Is the dimmer switch going bad?
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Jan 15, 2017
#2
  • Jan 15, 2017
  • #2
One of the LEDs may be bad, remove all of then and then see it the fuse blows when you turn un the instrument lights. If it still blows the fuse, you have wiring problems with the instrument cluster or dimmer switch.

If the fuse does not blow, then put the LEDs back in one at a time. When you find the one that blows the fuse, mark it and set it aside.

Replace the fuse and try another LED in the same socket. If it blows the fuse, the socket is bad, and the LED is probably OK.
 
Reactions: Bernales

utemachine

Active Member
Nov 7, 2015
62
25
38
Jan 15, 2017
#3
  • Jan 15, 2017
  • #3
Thanks Jrichker, I'll give this a try.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,055
21,220
234
Box behind Walmart
Jan 16, 2017
#4
  • Jan 16, 2017
  • #4
Another thing to check is that all of the bulbs (LED or otherwise) and sockets are fully seated. If they are not, then you could be crossing contacts particularly, in the instrument cluster.
 
Reactions: Bernales

utemachine

Active Member
Nov 7, 2015
62
25
38
Feb 25, 2017
#5
  • Feb 25, 2017
  • #5
Update: with the instrument cluster disconnected the fuse pops when I spin the panel dimmer to on. With no bulbs or cluster for that matter even connected it has to be the switch right? I'm asking because those switches are not cheap but that's my next move it to order one from LMR.
 

utemachine

Active Member
Nov 7, 2015
62
25
38
Feb 25, 2017
#6
  • Feb 25, 2017
  • #6
Update: with the instrument cluster disconnected the fuse pops when I spin the panel dimmer to on. With no bulbs or cluster for that matter even connected it has to be the switch right? I'm asking because those switches are not cheap but that's my next move it to order one from LMR.
 

utemachine

Active Member
Nov 7, 2015
62
25
38
Feb 25, 2017
#7
  • Feb 25, 2017
  • #7
It's not the dimmer. When power is put to the blue/red wire it blows the fuse. The first pic is the harness that the dimmer plugs into. How in the world can I find where this is grounding out?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2103.webp
    173 KB · Views: 281
  • IMG_2104.webp
    181.5 KB · Views: 349

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,914
10,563
203
polk county florida
Feb 26, 2017
#8
  • Feb 26, 2017
  • #8
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/MustangLights-Horn.gif
This may help
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

8
Grounding issue?
  • 86SilverFox
  • May 16, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
152
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 31, 2026
86SilverFox
8
S
Electrical Foxbody Dash & Hazard lights not working
  • sjmcr
  • Jun 30, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
658
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 27, 2025
Mindseye007
2
SJB Parasitic Draw, Fuse 59&67
  • 2005 Mustang V6
  • Apr 30, 2026
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
96
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 30, 2026
2005 Mustang V6
2
M
Need help!
  • Masonevans726
  • Dec 17, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
237
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 17, 2025
Masonevans726
M
T
2002 V6 3.8L Help Me
  • TheIncompetentMechanic
  • Apr 4, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
50
Views
794
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 12, 2026
TheIncompetentMechanic
T
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?