This Document Describes the differences between various models of Instrument Clusters fitted to the AU Series 1 model Falcons.
It also has information on Upgrading an Instrument Cluster, modifications that need to be made, wiring information, and some points to watch out for when performing these upgrades.
The AUI series of Falcons brought with them four models of Instrument Clusters that were fitted to the various models of these vehicles.
These clusters all had Red Long style Needles, Orange Segment LCD Displays, and Black Background Faces
With the advent of the AU Series II Falcons, these Instrument clusters were revised with the following changes
Inverted LCD Panels, with White Illumination, Short Style Red Needles, Blue Coloured Faces for Tickford Models, Removal of the secondary Gear Position LCD Panel on High series clusters.
The Following Images of Clusters have been taken from various AU Models, and include,
The Standard Cluster (Low Series) as fitted to Gli, and Futura Models
The Sports Series Instrument Cluster (Mid-Tickford Series), as fitted to XR6, and XR8 Models
The High Series Instrument Cluster as fitted to the Fairmont, Fairlane, and LTD Models.
Please Note : At Present the Wiring information is only applicable to the AU Series I Model Falcons.
The AUII and AUIII Series have entirely different wiring when compared to the AUI Models
The AU Chaser (Police) Series Cluster is a special issue cluster, and was made only available to Police issue AU Forte and XR Falcons.
These Falcons had a number of upgrades made to the vehicle, with the Instrument Cluster being one of them.
The Chaser (police) Cluster is based on the Low Series (Forte, Futura) Instrument Clusters, but with 2 very important modifications made to them.
The AU Police Cluster has a Speedo Calibration Feature, which allows the user to calibrate the speedo, and Odometer Readings with a percentage error.
These Clusters are very rare, and are a much sought after item because of this calibration feature, as it makes wheel, tyre, and Diff Changes very easy in regards to calibrating the Speedo.
The Calibration range can be made between +-10%, with 0.5% increments.
The Speedo has Markings every 2Kmph, for improved speedo accuracy.
The Calibration Mode can be entered using the following proceedure,
AUI - With the Ignition On, hold the reset shaft in for 5 seconds and then release
AUII & AUIII - While Holding the reset shaft in, turn the ignition On and continue to hold the reset shaft in until the cluster enters calibration mode. This will typically occure after approximately 5 seconds.
Much like the AU Low Series Instrument Cluster, the AU Chaser (Police) Cluster has the following features
White Illumination, with Red Coloured Cluster Needles
220Km Electronic Speedo, with 10Km Speed Numeral Markings, and 2Km Line Markings
7000 RPM Tacho, with 1000RPM Numeral Markings, and 250RPM Line Markings
Fuel Guage with Electronic Dampening with Low Fuel Warning Lamp
Temperature Guage, with high Temperature warning Lamp
Seatbelt Warning Lamp
Smartlock(AUI Early Build) or Smartsheild (AUI Late Build Onwards) Warning Lamp
Park Brake Warning Lamp
Brake Fail Warning Lamp
ABS Warning Lamp
Turn Signal and High Beam Indicators
Lights on with Ignition off warning lamp (ON LCD Panel)
Low Oil Warning Lamp
Alternator Warning Lamp
Low Coolant Warning Lamp
Door Ajar Warning on LCD Panel (Non Door Specific)
PLEASE NOTE : The following cluster is an AU Series II - NOT an AU Series 1 XR Cluster !
The AUI Mid Series Cluster (XR Sports Cluster) on the AUI Models, is a combination of the High Series Instruments, and the Base Series LCD Panel
The AUII and AUIII Mid Series Instrument Cluster (XR Sports Cluster is the same as the High Series Cluster, with exception to the Door Ajar Warning, which will Illuminate all the Doors on the Display, if any door is opened.
In addition to these features, the XR Cluster features a Unique Tickford emblem located on the Speedo, above the Needle.
The AU Mid Series Cluster has the following Features
White Illumination, with Orange Coloured Cluster Needles
Tickford Logo Located on the Speedo Dial, above the speedo Needle
240Km Electronic Speedo, with 20Km Speed Numeral Markings, and 5Km Line Markings
7000 RPM Tacho, with 1000RPM Numeral Markings, and 250RPM Line Markings
Fuel Guage with Electronic Dampening with Low Fuel Warning Lamp
Temperature Guage, with high Temperature warning Lamp
Battery Voltage Guage, Ranging from 10 to 16 Volts
Oil Pressure Guage
Seatbelt Warning Lamp
Smartlock(AUI Early Build) or Smartsheild (AUI Late Build and onwards) Warning Lamp
Park Brake Warning Lamp
Brake Fail Warning Lamp
ABS Warning Lamp
Turn Signal and High Beam Indicators
Lights on with Ignition off warning lamp (ON LCD Panel)
Low Oil Warning Lamp
Alternator Warning Lamp
Low Coolant Warning Lamp
Door Ajar Warning on LCD Panel (Non Door Specific)
Air Bag Fault indicator
Auto Transmission economy Mode Indicator
Transmission Gear Position Indicator on LCD Panel (AUII-AUIII Models)
The AUI High Series Cluster (Fairmont, Fairlane, LTD Cluster) Uses the same shape Instrument Dials as the Mid Series Cluster, but has a unique LCD Panel, that includes a Door ajar, Boot open, and Fuel Flap Open Warning.
This warning system utilises a Diagram of a sedan, and shows which door, (Driver\'s, Passenger, and Back Doors, indepentant of each other, much the same wasy as the EA-ED-EF-EL High Series Instrument Clusters Door Ajar Warning system works.
The AUII and AUIII High Series Instrument Cluster has the Automatic Gear Position located on the main LCD Panel, whereas the Series 1 Models had this display on the Speedo Instrument Guage.
The AU High Series Cluster has the following Features
White Illumination, with Red Coloured Cluster Needles
220Km Electronic Speedo, with 20Km Speed Numeral Markings, and 5Km Line Markings
7000 RPM Tacho, with 1000RPM Numeral Markings, and 250RPM Line Markings
Fuel Guage with Electronic Dampening with Low Fuel Warning Lamp
Temperature Guage, with high Temperature warning Lamp
Battery Voltage Guage, Ranging from 10 to 16 Volts
Oil Pressure Guage
Seatbelt Warning Lamp
Smartlock(AUI Early Build) or Smartsheild (AUILate Build and ownards) Warning Lamp
Park Brake Warning Lamp
Brake Fail Warning Lamp
ABS Warning Lamp
Turn Signal and High Beam Indicators
Lights on with Ignition off warning lamp (ON LCD Panel)
Low Oil Warning Lamp
Alternator Warning Lamp
Low Coolant Warning Lamp
Door Ajar Warning on LCD Panel (Door Specific)
Boot Open Warning (Sedan Only)
Air Bag Fault indicator
Auto Transmission economy Mode Indicator
Transmission Gear Position Indicator on seperate LCD Panel under speedo (AUI Models)
Transmission Gear Position Indicator on LCD Panel (AUII-AUIII Models)
With exception to the Low Series Instrument cluster, it is possible to change between different Cluster models rather painlessly.
All AU Series 1 Instrument Clusters use the same Electrical Connectors, (2 Connectors), but for the Low Series Cluster, some wires need to be moved around for the Left Hand Side Connector, In order for the Mid/High Series Cluster to function correctly.
The Mid, Police and High Series Clusters all use the same connectors, same Bulb holders, same needles, and Depending on the Cluster Series, very similar/Same circuit boards.
The AU Series I Mid and High Series Clusters use a different LCD Panel, but the wiring (With Exception to the extra Door Outline Wiring) is 100% Compatible.
That is, if swapping a Mid Series Cluster for a High Series Cluster, you will need to run new wiring from all 4 Doors, to the Instrument Cluster Wiring Harness
Some important steps to watch out for when doing an Instrument Cluster conversion will include,
1. The Odometer Reading will need to be changed. (Remember your Pinkslip will have this reading on it from your previous years Registration - There is a $10,000 fine for Fraudulantly Winding Back your Odometer Reading.)
2. If Upgrading from a Base Instrument Cluster, The Oil Pressure Switch will need to be replaced with an Oil Pressure sensor.
4. If adding the Low Windscreen Washer Level Warning Lamp, a new Washer Bottle, with Level sensor, and an extra line will need to be added for the Warning to work.
Some Common misconceptions with the Ford Falcon series Clusters include
1. The Odometer Readings can be swapped, changed or kept. The Odometer Reading is held within the Instrument Cluster, not within the EEC-V Engine Management, nor does the Instrument Cluster have a Backup Memory, or a Tamper-proof mechanism to deter Odometer Fraud !
2. There is no Electrical, or Calibration Difference within the speedo sections of the cluster, in terms of different Factory fitted Diffs, wheel, and Tyre Ratios. Changing Clusters will not alter the Factory speedo readings.
3. It is not possible to use an XR Series II Face, on a Low or High Series Cluster ! This is due to the Maximum speed on the cluster face, which means that the speed increments are slightly compressed.
The XR Series Cluster circuit board takes this compression in consideration when moving the speedo needle, and as such, you would need to swap the complete cluster over to use the XR Face.
Wiring changes required when fitting a Mid/High Series Cluster to a Forte/Futura Model Falcon.
Although the Mid and High Series Clusters will simply plug in, and A L M O S T function, there a re a few changes you will need to make, in order to get the Cluster to function correctly.
These changes are needed in order for the following to function,
Dial Illumination with Park Lamps On
The ABS Warning Lamp to Illuminate correctly
The Right Hand Side Indicator Lamp to function Correctly
The following wires need to be moved around, in order for the Mid/High Cluster to function correctly,
1. The Park Lamp Dial (+ Positive) Illumination needs to be moved from Pin 13 to Pin 2.
2. The Dial Negative Dimmer Illumination needs to be moved from Pin 21 to Pin 3.
3. The ABS Warning Lamp Wire needs to be moved from Pin 8 to Pin 23
4. The R.H. Side Indicator wire needs to be moved from Pin 19 to Pin 26
Please Note : In addition to these changes, you will need to also change the Oil Warning Switch, to an Oil Pressure sender unit, and also swap the Odo Reading. (See Below for further details on how to do this)
Obviously, when swapping Instrument clusters, you will want to keep the same Odometer Readings for your vehicle.
Because the EF and EL series vehicles have a digital Odometer, simply cracking open, and winding the Odometer backwards will not work.
So how is the Odometer reading changed ?
Firstly, you will need to know a little bit about electronics.
The Odometer Reading, as well as the Trip meter, Service spanner setting, and possibly other settings, are stored in a device known in the Electronics industry as an EEPROM, or E2PROM, (pronounced E squared Prom).
An E2PROM is an Electrically Erasable, Electrically Programable, Read Only Memory, very similar to the Flash upgradable Computer Bios.
Anyway, without boring you on how an E2PROM works, the model used in the VDO Instrument Clusters is an X24C44 Surface Mount model.
As was previously mentioned, this chip is surface mounted, that is you will need special tools in order to remove it.
It is this chip that stores the Odometer, as well as other readings.
When swapping Instrument Clusters, you will need to De-Solder this chip, and swap it from your Original Instrument Cluster, to your new Instrument Cluster. WARNING : I take no responsibility for any Damage that may be caused through any actions that are taken, that are directly, or Indirectly related to the information provided herein !
This is a small, delicate, and heat sensitive chip, and as such, is very suceptable to permenant damage, which WILL if damaged, render the instrument cluster USELESS !
Under no circumstances will Matthew I Jones be held responsible for any such damage.
Remember, this site is provided to you, free of charge, and it is up to yourself to correctly determine what modifications can be safely conducted by yourself !
Because the Low series Instrument Clusters do not have an Oil Pressure Meter, these vehicles do not have an Oil Pressure sensor fitted.
Instead of the Oil Pressure sender, they use an Oil Pressure switch.
What is the difference between these Oil Switch sender thingies I hear you ask ?
The Oil Pressure switch is just that, it switches to Ground when the Oil Pressure drops below a certain level.
This means that the Oil Pressure switch is only good for Switching a low Oil Pressure Lamp On or Off.
If a Mid or High series Instrument cluster is used with an Oil Pressure switch, the Oil Pressure guage will either show 0 Oil Pressure, or very very High Oil Pressure, with no intermediate pressure.
The Oil Pressure Sender has a constantly variable Voltage, that is directly related to the Oil Pressure.
Obviously, this variable voltage is required for an Oil Pressure guage.
The Mid and High Series Instrument Clusters also compare this voltage, and if the Voltage falls below a predetermined level, the low Oil Pressure Warning lamp is Illuminated.
The Oil Pressure Switch, and Oil Pressure sensor are located in exactly the same place, and as stated above, if fitting a Mid or High series Cluster, (I.E. upgrading from a Low series cluster), the Oil Pressure switch will need to be replaced with an Oil Pressure sensor.
These sensors are located roughly about 2 inches above the Oil Filter, on the Inline 6 motors.
The sensor also has a single wire coming from it, with a spade electrical connector.
The Oil Pressure sensor can be purchased from Wreckers for around $20.
Or alternatively, can be bought from Ford for around $50.00 - Ford Part Number EF-9D290-A