tucsondivots

I took my 2005 Mustang in to the dealer this morning because the fuel and temp guages are not working correctly. The temp guage pegs all the way to the right (but the engine is not hot) and the fuel guage sometimes registers empty, then the next time I turn the key on works fine.

The dealer said the guages all run through the stereo and they have had issues with XM radio hook-ups causing the problem.

Has anyone had any experience with this? They will be charging me a diagnostic fee if it turns out the problem was caused be the XM and will not cover the guages under warranty.

I have had the XM installed for a year with no issues previously.
Thanks.

offrdmania

The only way that could occur is if whoever installed your XM tapped into the power leads going up to the guages. Otherwise the dealer is giving you a load of crap. Sounds to me like the circuit board behind the guages took a crap and the dealer is searching for things to cause it so that they dont have to warranty it.

hammeron

i would remove power from the XM, drive
the car for a week or two and see if the
problems persists or goes away

if you're uneasy about messing with the
wiring or fuses and such, then the dealership will
be in full control

Cubs17

+1 [sm=goodidea.gif]

FenderParrothead

That does sound like dealership BS. Are there any other dealers in your area? I'd take it someplace else and ask them. But hammeron has a good idea too about unplugging the XM and see what happens.

tucsondivots

Thanks guys. The dealership just called me and said "good news" which means I will not have to pay the $105 diagnostic fee.

They say the whole instrument cluster is going out and they are going to replace it under warranty. I am beyond my 36K warranty but purchased the 7 year / 84K mile extended one from Ford.

They have to order the cluster and cannot release my car until they get it in since the speedometer will have to be programmed for the correct mileage before they send it.

There was no more talk about the guages running through the stereo. I was getting prepared to debate how an XM could void any warranty but guess I can save my bulletts for now.

offrdmania

They did put you in a rental car until it is finished right?

tucsondivots

They will if it is not ready tomorrow. Nothing is easy, I guess.

Deepcreek Tommy

I installed the Audiovox - Xpress Satellite Radio Receiver with the R/F direct connect and have had no problems at all! I connected the power to the 12v out let in the center arm rest.

tucsondivots

The dealer replaced the entire instrument cluster under warranty.

FYI, the cost would have been $519. Good thing I had the extended warranty.

There was no further talk about the XM radio being the cause.