speedometer stopped working

2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
183,946 MILES • 4 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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GERALD6364
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My wife and I were going to the store and gray smoke come from the instrument cluster and the speedometer quit working along with the wind shield wipers, the dome lights and the power windows. I changed the gem module and fuses and relays. What can it be?
Nov 13, 2018 at 3:10 PM
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STRAILER
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It sounds like the cluster has burned out. Here is a video of the rebuild unit being installed into a similar car. Where there burned fuses?

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Nov 15, 2018 at 4:50 PM
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GERALD6364
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I replaced it with a new cluster and it is still doing the same thing.
Nov 15, 2018 at 6:54 PM
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STRAILER
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Sorry about that, can you check to see if you are getting power out of the ignition switch with the switch on check the black/light green and light green and purple. Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Here is a wiring diagram so you can see how it works.
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Nov 16, 2018 at 12:51 PM
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GERALD6364
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It does not have power going to it. Now what?
Nov 18, 2018 at 6:50 PM
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STRAILER
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Does the car run? Do you have power at the yellow wires going into the ignition switch?
Nov 19, 2018 at 11:49 AM
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GERALD6364
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Yes, we have been driving it to the grocery store, but the speedometer power windows and dome lights not working.
Nov 19, 2018 at 1:12 PM
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STRAILER
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If you do not have power at the black/light green and light green and purple with the switch in the on position the ignition switch is bad and needs to be replaced. Here are diagrams to show you how. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Nov 20, 2018 at 9:33 AM
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GERALD6364
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I was wondering and I should have told you earlier my roof is leaking. Could it have shorted something out?
Nov 20, 2018 at 4:19 PM
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GERALD6364
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Can you tell me where the battery saver relay is located?
Nov 22, 2018 at 11:19 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, water can cause all kinds of issues. Battery Saver Relay - In relay module. Here is a guide to help you test it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

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Nov 23, 2018 at 11:05 AM
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GERALD6364
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Okay, I will.
Nov 25, 2018 at 9:13 AM
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GERALD6364
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I changed the ignition switch. Gem module. All the fuses and relays and it is still doing the same thing. I checked the wire's again and now I am getting power to the light green and purple but no power to the black and light green wire. Now what do I do?
Dec 2, 2018 at 7:21 AM
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STRAILER
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It sounds like when the cluster blew it took out the VSS. Here is its location. (output speed sensor)
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Dec 3, 2018 at 9:18 AM
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GERALD6364
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Does it have anything to do with the power windows windshield wipers and the dome light not working?
Dec 10, 2018 at 10:29 PM
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STRAILER
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No. Can you use a test light to check for power at fuse # 18 and #26 and maxi fuse #4?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Dec 11, 2018 at 11:49 AM
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GERALD6364
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The ones on the inside or outside?
Dec 12, 2018 at 3:09 AM
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STRAILER
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They are both the maxi fuse is for sure under the hood.
Dec 12, 2018 at 10:24 AM
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GERALD6364
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Okay, I will check them tomorrow.
Dec 12, 2018 at 2:59 PM
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GERALD6364
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I checked all of the fuses and they are showing 12 volts.
Dec 13, 2018 at 1:55 PM
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STRAILER
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Then the only thing that ties these together is the GEM but you said you replaced that right? Let's check the wiring to the GEM. Here is a guide and wiring diagrams below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check fuses 25, 10, 28, 20, check for power and ground at the module.
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Dec 14, 2018 at 10:36 AM
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GERALD6364
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I bought the GEM off the internet for $18.00. Could it be bad and can you test them?
Dec 14, 2018 at 5:31 PM
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STRAILER
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Not really, I would try a new unit.
Dec 15, 2018 at 10:28 AM
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GERALD6364
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What color wire's would it be? I can't read a wiring diagram. I'm trying to learn.
Dec 16, 2018 at 9:14 AM
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GERALD6364
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If I buy a new gem module will i have to have it programmed to my vehicles identification number for it to work?
Dec 16, 2018 at 12:16 PM
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STRAILER
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I believe the GEM self initializes. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Dec 17, 2018 at 9:28 AM
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GERALD6364
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I'm getting power to 10 20 and 25 fuses but there's no power going to the number 28. Fuse
Dec 17, 2018 at 10:44 AM
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STRAILER
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Sorry # 28 will only have power when cranking can you please check?
Dec 18, 2018 at 10:01 AM
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GERALD6364
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I cranked the car and checked it again and it shows 7.5
Dec 18, 2018 at 12:22 PM
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GERALD6364
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I pulled the sun visor down and found this.
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Dec 18, 2018 at 12:29 PM
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STRAILER
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Good find, the car looks like it has severe water damage from a leaking windshield. You better have that fixed first before trying to fix the electrical. Can you remove the cluster and take a picture of the electrical connector? We need to look for corrosion.
Dec 19, 2018 at 11:52 AM
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GERALD6364
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I can remove it after Christmas. What all do we need to look at while i got it out?
Dec 20, 2018 at 10:13 AM
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GERALD6364
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This is off my old cluster the one that gray smoke came from and it smells like burnt wire's. Does it look burnt to you?
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Dec 20, 2018 at 2:44 PM
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STRAILER
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Hard to tell picture in picture but I think I see burnt solder joints in the circuit board.
Dec 20, 2018 at 3:19 PM
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GERALD6364
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Could it have shorted out from the water leak?
Dec 20, 2018 at 4:33 PM
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GERALD6364
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Can you see this one better and tell from it? When this shored out smoke came from it and it smelled like burnt wires and my power windows, radio, dome lights, sunroof windshield wipers stopped working at the same time.
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Dec 21, 2018 at 11:21 AM
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STRAILER
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I have marked the problem areas in the diagrams below you must be able to clean i up and solder the joints. If not I would try a new or used one.
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Dec 22, 2018 at 11:53 AM
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GERALD6364
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I put a new one in it and it still does the same thing and now it wont stay running.
Dec 22, 2018 at 12:41 PM