Transit Connect MK1 Cluster/Odometer

[Fieldsy12]

Hi to everyone, obviously a new member, so apologies if this is a long drawn out thread. I've been searching the forums for information rather than having to ask every single question. Thanks to knobby1 and blue estate as they posted some great information regarding the OBD connection on the van and cluster swaps. Ok, bit of background information. I have a 2003 1.8tdci Connect which had/has a failing cluster, no speedo, no revs, no petrol, etc.... I've taken the cluster out, given the connectors a good clean with contact cleaner and the board, and replaced. I now have the petol gauge working, the temperature gauge working but no rev counter and speedo is erratic ( driving at approx 20/30 mph and speedo is on 50/60, then drops to 30 and so on. The only light now on ( which wasn't before) is the ABS light ( I don't even think it has ABS ?, perhaps someone can enlighten me). The mileage has changed to kms and is permanently on display, even with key out and van locked. So, tried to read with OBD2 scanner to clear abs light, no connection with any scanner at all. Power to scanner, but not reading. Did a search on here and thanks to knobby1 and blue estate established its not obd2 and purchased an f super and downloaded Forscan with extended trial. After a bit of driver issues, Voila !!, Forscan connected and found the vehicle. There is no ABS MODULE, so thats why I'm assuming there is no ABS...but I have the light on ?. Ok, next step, try to overwrite the mileage by a couple of miles in Miles rather than KMS showing on digital odometer. There is no Odometer Write option on Forscan when connected.

Next step, ordered a second hand cluster, same year and model to do a straight swap with cluster, as doing a search on here suggests I can with a direct swap. Mileage on 2nd hand cluster is lower than existing mileage, so would like to increase mileage on 2nd hand cluster to existing......I told you it was a long explanation, (2nd hand cluster not with me yet)

So,
1) Do I have ABS,considering Forscan shows no module (but light on) or is this just a cluster fault.
2) No Odometer write feature on Forscan, so can the module on a Mk1 2003 be overwritten with software...if so, which one...........or is it an eeprom out jobby ( don'y fancy that )
3)Replace with 2nd hand cluster, but would still like to be able to up mileage.
4) Does everything point to the cluster ?, mileage staying on ?, no speedo, no revs, abs light on...etc..
5)Take the cluster out and resolder all connector joints hoping it will fix everything, but if it doesn't still can't adjust mileage.

Apologies for long thread, but always think its best to try and incorporate as much info as possible.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[metalworker0]

Easiest way to tell if it has abs is to know where to look....

being as this is not possible, if you don't know what you are looking for

so i'll skip right to taking a wheel off

and you are looking for abs sensor wires entering the knuckle at bottom of shock absorber behind the disc.

i don't know how to roll back or forward the mileage,

but these people do and may alter the mileage if asked .
With the mk6 and 7, and connect - faults were due them being built with weak soldered joints done with Lead-free solder.
The cure was to send the whole instrument cluster to a specialist company for repair.

Of the many things it could be: there have been issues with the clocks , internal; circuits and soldered joints ...sometimes a thump on the dash above would prove that this is the issue ..as the clocks would then flicker or come on .

Well this is only one, of many choices, and that is : you have is to take out the cluster and send it to:

https://www.ecutesting.com/
(please read the website on how they operate this service, i believe they will send you a box to put it in .)

This is one of many companies that perform this service ...the above one, as far as i can make out, from feedback here on this forum, is one of the trusted ones.

Total cost will be in the region of £70. (check the websites prices)

Hope this helps.

all the best.mark

[Fieldsy12]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the reply and info. I've no problem manually checking for ABS, it was just weird that ABS light is on, but Forscan shows no ABS module......which leads me to something else ?
Does the 2003 Transit connect have HS and MS Canbus, and if so, does F Super 2 have the capability to automate between the two in Forscan in order to show all Modules ?
Having read on here that the F Super 2 is ideal for the 2003 Mk1. Perhaps there is another cable which is automatic (HS/MS) compatible with 2003 and Forscan.

I've got a 2nd hand unit coming tomorrow, which I'll fit and would like to amend the milege (up) with Forscan.... other than that,its a bench test and send away fix.

Cheers Paul

[metalworker0]

Sorry not much knowledge of can bus here ..i'm only old school, and learning ..so that can bus stuff you just uttered is beyond me ...probably beyond can bus, OBD is later than 2003 connect, YOUR 2003 connect possibly does not have an OBD system. I think before a certain date its called "Ford iDS", which is why only forscan will work on it .

All i can tell you about ABS early models is, the models without any wheel sensors get the speed signal from a gear driven unit at the top of the gearbox...this unit converts the rotation of the shaft to generated signal pulses ..as and like a hall sensor.


all the best...mark

[Fieldsy12]

Thanks Mark, old school here aswell, the days of distributor caps, HT Leads, set of points and a feeler gauge....lol. I also don't have a scooby how Canbus works, but I know Cars have got it...apparently !!. Now I understand why only Forscan will work. I'll endeavour to change the cluster tomorrow and feedback how it goes.
Cheers again for your input.
Paul

[Fieldsy12]

Just a quick update, fitted the 2nd hand dash. Absolutely no issues at all, straight plug and play into 2003 Transit Connect with no programming. Only issue, new odometer is 81,000 Miles, old was 95,000 miles.........but I can live with that...lol, I have no intention of selling it any time soon.