Q: Cable connecting instrument cluster and shift indicator is cut on a 1988 F-150 XLT Lariat

asked by on April 13, 2016

I have a 1988 F-150 XLT Lariat. However, the previous owner cut the cable that connects instrument cluster with the shift indicator. Is there anything I can do to fix that or find the part?

If you cut the cable that goes to the shift indicator, just see where he cut it. All the wires are color-coded so you can replace them together and get them back in. But the reason he cut them is--there’s probably a short somewhere.

Let’s face it--the shift indicator isn’t that big of a deal since it will only allow you to see that lights are on, but you might just leave it alone. But if you do want to fix it, you can always go to a salvage yard and they will generally sell you the whole wiring harness part cheaply enough and then you can buy certain sections of the wire harness. If the switch inside, the shifter is bad, you can buy a used one of those too. If you would like to have this done for you, consider YourMechanic. They will be able to come to your home or office to replace your shift indicator for you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Service Engine Soon light staying on.
Evaporative systems seal the tank off from atmosphere and purge through the intake while the engine is running, if the computer senses that one of the valves electrical or mechanical functions aren't appropriate it will set a check engine light...
Gears grinding at low RPMs.
I am going to go ahead and move forward with the assumption that your Honda Civic is equipped with a manual transmission. I have owned Honda’s most my life and I have encountered this problem with the sound of transmission...
Clicking sound when trying to start the car
It sounds like you will need to have the starter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-replacement) checked. You'll need to check if the click is coming from the starter solenoid on the starter or the relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-relay-replacement) in the power relay box in the engine...
Gas sensor not working; car stalled in intersection
The fuel tank on your vehicle is under the rear passenger seat. There are 2 fuel pumps in the tank, each with a large seal, that must be installed perfectly to avoid fuel/fume leakage. Mercedes is aware of this issue...
I think my clutch or clutch master cyclinder went out
Hello - it sounds like the clutch hydraulics are not functioning properly. Check for adequate fluid level first - the clutch fluid reservoir is near the brake fluid reservoir on the firewall (driver side). If the fluid level is low,...
How much money am i looking at spending?
The good news is, as long as there is no damage to the frame (or sub-frame) of your car, or the mounting stubs for the strut, control arms and so forth, what you are describing typically requires fairly mundane repairs....
Engine Swap from 1981 1400cc to 4g63.
Hi there. You can swap the engine from a 1981 model to a 1997 model, but you will have to swap the entire power plant, the engine, the transmission, and all of the electronics including the exhaust system through the...
Died while driving cranks but won't start what could it be?
Hello. Typically when you have these symptoms you want to focus on air, fuel and spark. If you already replaced the ignition coil, and know you are getting spark to the plugs, turn your attention to the fuel system. You...
I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi engine V8
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a couple of separate issues going on here. The idling problem may suggest you have a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. The idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) monitors the air...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford F-250
When When it comes to large, heavy-duty pickup trucks, the 2012 Ford F-250 only has two competitors – the Chevrolet Silverado HD and the Dodge Ram 2500/3500. Though the F-250 doesn’t outperform the Ram in the towing department, it certainly...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Just Had a Baby
Having Having a baby will completely change your life. Your activities and hobbies will change. Your sleeping patterns will change. Chances are good that you’ll also be looking for a change in vehicles. You need to ensure that your car...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...