Can anyone help with a problem I have with a 54 plate Ford Mondeo, whereby the instrument dials (speedo, rev counter) go round to max when the ignition is first turned on?

Just before xmas I went to start the car and the rev counter and speedo went right round to max. The car started fine but the trip computer had reset itself. Drove to have new tyres fitted but the car was completely dead when I went to restart it. The garage bump started me and I called the RAC when I returned home.

They checked the battery and all was fine. They suggested I put the battery on slow charge for the rest of the day just in case.

Car has been fine since until this morning when my girlfriend started the car the dials again went round to max but the trip computer didn’t reset itself. She came out of the shops and the car restarted fine.

Anyone have any clues about what this could be?

Not sure if it’s a co-incidence but both times it has happened it has been after a very cold night.

Ta.

 

This is the instrument cluster doing a self test , we get it when we fit a new cluster , and also if there is a small fault within cluster whereby it does not have a constant live within the cluster itself which is a cluster renew situation . More anoying than anything else as long as it does not develop further .
Just be careful as sometimes the cluster causes the battery to drain if a particular internal fault exists so might explain the first instance of this .

 

I thought this was a sign that the battery was knackered..

 

mmmm...perhaps if it keeps happening I'll get a new battery then, must be cheaper than a new instrument cluster.

Thanks.

 

It will do this if battery is disconnected, or if it is low on charge when turning over. I'd say your battery has a dead cell, and its not kicking out enough 'wuumph' to get the car started. I'd get the battery replaced first.

 

if the battery has got enough to spin the engine over then the instrument cluster would not be sensitive enough to sense the battery not good enough ..... anyway what do I know I just work on cars every day lmao

 

This happened to me, its the battery. New battery fitted, no more problem

 

basicly as you are cranking the engine over the voltage is dropping too low ie around 9-10 volts so the cluster loses it's 12v supply and when the battery recovers as it starts the dials do a self test.
replace the battery or give it a good charge and check water level if it has can be.

steve

 

Did you ever get to the bottom of this fault i have a '04 zetec 130ps diesel this happened to me whilst driving along at around 30 mph engine didn't cut out. All warning lights lit up at same time and dials went all the way to the right then all to the left then back to the previous settings also trip, mpg etc re-set

Steve

 

reference post from Steve.

My Mondeo TDi (55) did the same trick today.

Whilst driving, no interruption to engine or to radio.

All instrument lights on
All dials drop to zero then reset.
Trip counter reset, mpg etc.
temperature reset to farenheit.

reading above suggests power interruption to electronics

comments anyone?

 

Hi steveB1948,

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I had the same problem happen to me today.

Anyone else seen any comments on this issue as I can't seem to find anything online.

Thanks

 

I have had the same fault "all dials on dashboard go Nuts"

and as the first person said, it has been very cold over night and each time also My driver door kept locking whilst driving. I think its related. (or i have a Ghost )


battery low due to car starting then additional cold with electrics possible damp may be power issue. I wont replace the battery at the moment until I am told that is the fault.
The car is fine once warm starts up no problems?



any advice welcome

 

had a similar issue with my 05 130 ps mondeo and sourced it to a broken battery connector and was knocking of the connection when driving but when i stoppe3d to check all looked fine so check the connectors and cables lads but sounds like a new battery would be a wise investment also

 

After only a few days the battery gave up. already had a New replacement battery ready to be put in the Car.

Since this has happen'd Replaced the battery and touch wood NO Problems! phew

Signs of the problem where the all the Dials on the dashboard kept hitting MAX.
the distance / milometer kept resetting and the temp gauge would default over to Fahrenheit from centigrade.

Fuel level gauge would also say Fuel level was low, then reset to correct dial position.

Thanks for all your help