Continental Instrument Cluster Went Dark

[jcgriff2]

I have a 1999 Lincoln Continental with 95,000 miles on it.

After the car sat for over a month (I was having hip replacement surgery), I went to use the car and all seemed fine except for the projected display (speedometer, tachometer, etc...) -- it is black and I cannot see the speedometer now to know my speed.

One small area around the 120 mph mark on the speedometer is light enough to read, but not the rest of the speedometer. The red lines for speedometer and tach work (are illuminated). All of the other dash lights + idiot lights work just fine.

Any ideas as to the problem(s)?

Any ideas as to the cost if I take it into Lincoln for repairs?

What is the exact name of the part I am describing? Is it in fact the "Instrument Cluster"? Anyone have part numbers that I may need?

Thank you for your help.

 

[lincolnelite]

first try check if fuse #26 is blown (you could tell because the auto climate control is also not working)
that's the virtual image cluster, it's possible it could be a fuse or a bulb.

 

[jcgriff2]

Fuse #26 is OK.

I guess I'll take the car into Lincoln for an estimate.

In the meantime (or in lieu of), I'm purchasing an "external" speedometer - like this - http://www.amazon.com/Techstick-Dis..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=0CTECJ4T5S4KSK0KS3C8

Thanks for your help.

John

 

[jerryg2112]

If you buy a cheap elm327 adapter off ebay you can use your phone and the torque app to monitor your speed and many more things including viewing and clearing fault codes.

 

[jcgriff2]

Thank you.

 

[MooJohn]

Whole clusters are for sale cheap on ebay. It'll make your odometer reading wrong but it's far easier than juggling something else.

Just be sure you get one that matches your car -- console-shift cars have a different PRNDLE section that column-shift cars!

 

[Svets96]

jcgriff2: I wanted to chime in with a possible solution. I googled 98-02 Lincoln Continental instrument cluster repair. You can call this company: fordclusters.com 800-382-1431 Ext. 260 other line: 717-761-4113

Here is another called Southern Electronics: They repair any year, any model. Ship it to them, everything is on their website. Phone: 1-800-572-2880

This is all I can find. These are the specialists that can keep your car correct. Hope this helps

 

[Svets96]

Here are a couple of others: ddinstruments.com Phone: 888-208-5664

This one doesn't say Continental, company is called Gauge Doctor but also could help call Eric at 850-528-6130 gaugedoctor.com

 

[jcgriff2]

Just to update. . .

I am not capable of taking apart the dash to replace the instrument cluster and don't want to spend the money to have someone else do it.

I ended up buying a small 3-digit LED GPS speedometer that sits on the dash for about $50.

Problem solved (bypassed) for now!

Thank you for all of your replies.

Sincerely,
John