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EL Instrument Cluster Wire Colours And Functions

 
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fordman351
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:27 pm    Post subject: EL Instrument Cluster Wire Colours And Functions Reply with quote

Howdy crew,

I'm attempting to install my DL LTD cluster into my EL Fairmont soon, but looking in the "Changing Clusters" document (under EF/EL), the wiring colours listed for the 'lefthand' cluster plug are to suit an EF.

I had a look at my EL 'lefthand' cluster plug tonight and all the wires are in different positions as compared to an EF, plus there are a couple of different wire colours and traces.

Would anyone happen to have the wire colours and functions for the 'lefthand' cluster plug in an 'EL' low/mid series wiring loom?
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Krytox
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

same layout, different colors.
I made an adaptor for plug and play for these clusters.
Its pretty safe to say you just move the pins over or reshape the male plug.
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gogetta
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Krytox wrote:
same layout, different colors.
I made an adaptor for plug and play for these clusters.
Its pretty safe to say you just move the pins over or reshape the male plug.


not sure im following u krytox....you say same layout different colours then u say u need to move them...

by layout do u mean plug or pin postitions or what?
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fordman351
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmm okay. I still want to keep the plug original, so if i ever want/need to change back to the original cluster i still can, which is why i want to splice the LTD cluster plug into the EL loom and still retain the mid series cluster plug and tuck it away.
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Krytox
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The 20pin plug on the existing cluster is pretty much the same layout as the LTD.
Just need it to be able to stick into the 16pin female plug. the other 12 separate plug is for the door circuit.
you can almost just move all pins across a notch and grind the plug to fit.

Or make what I made. (lower pic)

refer to url for wiring:
http://www.fordmods.com/forums/documents.php?doc=14
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Krytox
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

read the last line:
http://www.fordmods.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39268&highlight=cluster
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fordman351
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay, i think i get it now. I'm still going to splice the LTD plug into the existing wiring loom though, so...

I know you have said it haha, but i just want to confirm this. The wiring is virtually the same layout (despite different colours). So if i hold the two plugs together and just splice the wire from the LTD plug to the wire that is in the same position on the mid series plug (ignoring blank pin holes), i should be right.....right?

Phew, it took me a while to make that semi-understandable icon_biggrin.gif .
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OPT20EL
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Krytox wrote:
The 20pin plug on the existing cluster is pretty much the same layout as the LTD.
Just need it to be able to stick into the 16pin female plug. the other 12 separate plug is for the door circuit.
you can almost just move all pins across a notch and grind the plug to fit.

Or make what I made. (lower pic)

refer to url for wiring:
http://www.fordmods.com/forums/documents.php?doc=14


Hey there, could you send a link to a schematic to make the "plug and play" patch harnesses for both sides of the high series cluster into the mid/low series harness? It appears to be obvious where you got your plugs from: a high series loom, but where do you find the opposite connector for the mid/low connectors to plug into? Failing that would you be prepared to manufacture a set of patch harnesses, and sell/post them?
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fordman351
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The right hand plug in the cluster wiring is EXACTLY the same from GLi right through to LTD, you don't have to chop or adapt anything there.

The left hand plug however is a different size, but all the wires are in EXACTLY the same position. If you cut the original plug down to size (ie: take off the unused terminals) it will fit straight into the high series socket on the cluster.

This had me stumped for a while, but i managed to borrow an EL service manual from Ford and made double sure the wire positions on the loom plugs were exactly the same.

So, all is in and working....touch wood! icon_biggrin.gif
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OPT20EL
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers. Is the right hand side the side that supplies the power for the odo reading? i've got a cluster, and I dont know the mileage. can i hook up the side that works, and see the mileage on this unit before i hook up and modify my harness?
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Krytox
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OPT20EL wrote:
Cheers. Is the right hand side the side that supplies the power for the odo reading? i've got a cluster, and I dont know the mileage. can i hook up the side that works, and see the mileage on this unit before i hook up and modify my harness?


Sure can, unless you have a low series cluster, the LCD won't illuminate, but it WILL be still visible.
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Krytox
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As for the above Question, I disected a standard cluster and flogged the female plugs.
I then soldered the 16 pin male plug to it, simple as that, this way I didn't have to cut any wire in my car and was reverse compatible!

You'll also need to wire in the door switches OR add some resistors to stop the flashing door lights.

I have a set of plugs from an LTD, but don't plan on making any plugs,

as above, its actually easier to just gring a little off the male plug and slap it in,

If I come across some cluster parts soon I could put one together and send it over, but really, its not that hard to make urself.


Last edited by Krytox on Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:53 pm, edited 1 time in total
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fordman351
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Krytox wrote:
Sure can, unless you have a low series cluster, the LCD won't illuminate, but it WILL be still visible.


Spot-on, the backlighting circuit runs off the left hand plug, but as krytox said, although very faint you will still be able to see the segments on the odometer, you just have to view it in the right light and angle.
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OPT20EL
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers for that.
I should be ok for that, as this new car is an old cop car.
Its an OPT20- both of my two els are OPT20's, one has 765,000 klms, and the other has 65,000 klms. one extreme to the other!
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Krytox
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

lcd wiring is on the rhs, but high series cluster into a low series loom might not show the display (illuminated)

as above again, the backlighting wont work.


Last edited by Krytox on Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:58 pm, edited 1 time in total
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OPT20EL
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Krytox wrote:
As for the above Question, I disected a standard cluster and flogged the female plugs.
I then soldered the 16 pin male plug to it, simple as that, this way I didn't have to cut any wire in my car and was reverse compatible!

You'll also need to wire in the door switches OR add some resistors to stop the flashing door lights.

I have a set of plugs from an LTD, but don't plan on making any plugs,

as above, its actually easier to just gring a little off the male plug and slap it in,

If I come across some cluster parts soon I could put one together and send it over, but really, its not that hard to make urself.


I'll try this on my old clunker first, and if i want to go ahead, i can use a home made patch harness to keep it plug and play reversable in the nice one.
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snap0964
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Remove this mod: http://www.fordmods.com/forums/documents.php?doc=7 if you're fitting the bulb out feature. Otherwise the cluster will report a bulb out when you brake with parkers or headlights on.

As Andrew said, the odometer won't illuminate with mid/low series BEM - a resistor needs to be added.
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OPT20EL
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like there is a little work involved, but should be worth it!
Cheers all.
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