Pinpoint Test TA Display Not Lit, Too Dim Or Totally Blank

Verifying Condition: Turn ignition on. Ensure headlights are off. Check instrument cluster displays. If only one or two displays work properly, replace instrument cluster. If all displays are too dim, go to step 11). If all displays are blank, go to step 2)
Verifying Warning Chime Module Operation: Turn ignition on. Press any button on instrument cluster controls. Listen for beep tone from warning chime module when button is pressed. If beep tone occurs, go to step 10). If no beep occurs, go to step 3).
Checking Fuses: Check for defective fuse No. 1 (Town Car) or No. 5 (Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis). Check for defective fuse No. 4 in fuse panel below instrument panel, left of steering column.
If both fuses are okay, go to step 6). If fuses are blown, go to step 5).
Checking For Shorted Circuit: Turn ignition off. Disconnect negative battery cable. Using ohmmeter, check for short to ground at No. 1 and No. 4 fuses. If no short exists, go to step 12). If short exists, repair as necessary.
Checking Voltage At Fuses: Reconnect negative battery cable. Measure voltage between fuses No. 1 and No. 4 to ground. If voltage is greater than 9 volts, go to step 7). If voltage is less than 9 volts, repair defective power supply or fuse panel.
Checking Voltage At Instrument Cluster: Turn ignition off. Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Turn ignition on. Note instrument cluster connector identification. See Figure .
Measure voltage at following terminals of instrument cluster connections:
- Connector C2-1, Pin No. 3 (White/Pink wire) - Battery voltage at all times.
- Connector C2-1, Pin No. 5 (Light Blue/Pink wire) - Battery voltage with ignition on.
- Connector C1, Pin No. 2 (Light Blue/Pink wire) - Battery voltage with ignition on.
If voltage exists, replace instrument cluster. If no voltage exists, check wiring circuits of No. 1 and No. 4 fuses from fuse panel to instrument cluster.
Using ohmmeter, check continuity between instrument cluster connector C1, pin No. 1 (Pink/Orange wire), connector C2-1, pin No. 4 (Pink/Orange wire) and battery ground. If no continuity exists, check for defective wiring and ground circuit.
Checking Instrument Cluster Connections: Ensure all connectors are properly secured. Ensure no terminals are damaged. Repair defective connections if necessary. If all connections are okay, go back to step 7).
Checking Rheostat Output: Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage at instrument cluster connector C2-2, pin No. 29 (Light Blue/Red wire) with headlights off. If voltage is less than 3 volts, replace instrument cluster. If voltage is greater than 3 volts, replace rheostat.
Checking For Short In Instrument Cluster: Turn ignition off. Remove instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Using ohmmeter, check for continuity between following pins of instrument cluster:
- Connector C1 pin No. 2, connector C2-1 pin No. 5 and connector C2-1 pin No. 3 to connector C1 (pin No. 1).
- Connector C1 pin No. 2, connector C2-1 pin No. 5 and connector C2-1 pin No. 3 to connector C2-1 pin No. 4.
NOTE: For determining wire colors on mating connectors, refer to the MATING CONNECTOR TERMINAL WIRE COLORS table.
If continuity exists for any measurement, replace instrument cluster and fuses. If continuity does not exist, replace fuse. Install instrument cluster.

MATING CONNECTOR TERMINAL WIRE COLORS

Connector & Pin Number	Wire Color
Connector C1, Pin No. 1	Pink/Orange
Connector C1, Pin No. 2	Light Blue/Pink
Connector C2-1, Pin No. 3	Light Green/Purple
Connector C2-1, Pin No. 4	Pink/Orange
Connector C2-1, Pin No. 5	Light Blue/Pink