Instrument Clusters
Throughout the six model years of the aero Fox Cougar, there were no less than seven different instrument clusters. The following shows the differences in the clusters, their functions, and even their wiring specs in case you need them.
1983-84 Base Analog Cluster
Functions
GAUGE / LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
FUEL GUAGE | Indicates amount of fuel remaining. Most gauges will sweep past F when full. On E, approx. 2-4 gallons are left. |
GEAR INDICATOR | Displays transmission gear (for cars with column shifter). |
SPEEDOMETER | Indicates speed of car. Max speed indicator is 85 mph / 140 kph. |
ODOMETER | Indicates total miles/kilometers traveled. When distance surpasses 99999.9, will read 00000.0 (there is no 100,000, etc.). |
TRIP ODOMETER | Indicates distance since trip odometer was reset to 000. |
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS | Display when the turn signal is activated; both light simultaneously with the emergency flasher. |
SEAT BELT INDICATOR | Displays upon ignition to remind driver to use seat belt. |
BATTERY LAMP | Lights when there is a voltage drop or a charging problem in the car’s electrical system. |
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR | Displays when the high beam headlamps are turned on. |
ENGINE LAMP | Indicates a problem with the emissions system, cooling system, or oiling system; have EEC computer checked IMMEDIATELY. |
BRAKE LAMP | Displays upon ignition, when the parking brake is engaged, and when there is a problem with the dual braking system. |
Wiring
Note: wiring specs according to 1984 EVTM; however, some positions are unconfirmed. Use at your own discretion.
POSITION | FUNCTION | CIRCUIT NO. | COLOR |
PLUG A | |||
| 1 | Battery warning indicator | 904 | Light green/red |
| 2 | Battery warning indicator | 16 | Red/light green |
| 3 | Right turn signal | 2 | White/light blue |
| 4 | High beam indicator | 12 | Light green/black |
| 5 | (Speed input?) | 150 | Dark green/white |
| 6 | 12v+ | 60 | Black/light green |
| 7 | Ignition to IVR | 296 | Light blue/pink |
| 8 | Fuel level indicator | 29 | Yellow/white |
| 9 | Seat belt lamp | 450 | Dark green/light green |
| 10 | (Low fuel lamp?) | 215 | Yellow/black |
| 11 | BRAKE warning lamp | 977 | Pink/white |
| 12 | 12v+ | 640 | Red/yellow |
| 13 | ENGINE warning lamp | 39 | Red/white |
| 14 | IVR 5v + OUT | 367 | Dark green/white |
| 15 | Left turn signal | 3 | Light green/white |
| 16 | IVR 5v + IN | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 17 | Cluster ground | 57 | Black |
| 18 | Cluster illumination | 19 | Light blue/red |
1983-84 Turbo Analog Cluster (4 Cyl)
Functions
GAUGE / LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
TACHOMETER | Displays engine rpms x1000. |
TURBO LED LAMP | Lights when the turbocharger is delivering boost. |
OVERBOOST LED LAMP | Lights when the turbocharger is in an overboost condition; will simultaneously be activated with the overboost buzzer under the dash. Reducing speed at that point will allow the light to go turn off. |
BATTERY LAMP | Lights when there is a voltage drop or a charging problem in the car’s electrical system. |
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR | Displays when the high beam headlamps are turned on. |
ENGINE LAMP | Indicates a problem with the emissions system, cooling system, or oiling system; have EEC computer checked IMMEDIATELY. |
BRAKE LAMP | Displays upon ignition, when the parking brake is engaged, and when there is a problem with the dual braking system. |
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS | Display when the turn signal is activated; both light simultaneously with the emergency flasher. |
SEAT BELT INDICATOR | Displays upon ignition to remind driver to use seat belt. |
FUEL GUAGE | Indicates amount of fuel remaining. Most gauges will sweep past F when full. On E, approx. 2-4 gallons are left. |
SPEEDOMETER | Indicates speed of car. Max speed indicator is 85 mph / 140 kph. |
ODOMETER | Indicates total miles/kilometers traveled. When distance surpasses 99999.9, will read 00000.0 (there is no 100,000, etc.). |
TRIP ODOMETER | Indicates distance since trip odometer was reset to 000. |
Wiring
Note: wiring specs according to 1984 EVTM; however, some positions are unconfirmed. Use at your own discretion.
POSITION | FUNCTION | CIRCUIT NO. | COLOR |
PLUG A | |||
| 1 | Overboost LED/buzzer | 223 | Tan/light green |
| 2 | TURBO boost LED indicator | 42 | Red/white |
| 3 | Right turn signal | 2 | White/light blue |
| 4 | High beam indicator | 12 | Light green/black |
| 5 | Tachometer | 11 | Dark green/yellow |
| 6 | Seat belt lamp | 450 | Dark green/light green |
| 7 | BRAKE warning lamp | 977 | Pink/white |
| 8 | 12v+ | 640 | Red/yellow |
| 9 | ENGINE warning lamp | 39 | Red/white |
| 10 | (unused) | – | – |
| 11 | Battery warning indicator | 16 | Red/light green |
| 12 | Battery warning indicator | 904 | Light green/red |
| 13 | Left turn signal | 3 | Light green/white |
| 14 | IVR 5v + OUT | 367 | Dark green/white |
| 15 | IVR 5v + IN | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 16 | Fuel level indicator | 29 | Yellow/white |
| 17 | Cluster ground | 57 | Black |
| 18 | Cluster illumination | 19 | Light blue/red |
1983-84 Electronic Cluster
Coming soon!
1985-88 Base Cluster
Functions
GAUGE / LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
OIL LAMP | Lights when you have low oil pressure. Comes on with approx. 2 quarts of oil left. |
AMP LAMP | Lights when there is a voltage drop in the car’s electrical system (approx. 12.5 v). |
TEMP GAUGE | Indicates operating temperature of the engine. C is approx. 160 degrees; H is approx. 240 degrees. |
FUEL GUAGE | Indicates amount of fuel left. Most gauges will sweep past F when full. On E, approx. 2-4 gallons are left. |
SPEEDOMETER | Indicates speed of car. Numerals change 6 times a second. Max speed indicator is 85 mph/ 199 kph. |
ODOMETER | Indicates total miles/kilometers traveled. When mileage surpasses 199,999, will read 100,000. |
TRIP ODOMETER | Indicates mileage since trip odometer was reset to 000. |
SPEED | Lights up when SPEED button is pressed (see below). |
S | Lights up when original speedometer has been replaced. Pre-programmed in replacement module. See here to remove “S”. |
SERVICE | Lights up every 5,000-7,000 miles as a reminder for the regular service interval. To get rid of the reminder, press the TRIP and TRIP RESET buttons simultaneously; you will hear 3 beeps and the light will go out. |
ERROR | Indicates that the display cannot verify the odometer memory. This means the speedometer needs replaced. |
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR | Displays when the high beam headlamps are turned on. |
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS | Display when the turn signal is activated; both light simultaneously with the emergency flasher. Left signal is hidden in the oil lamp area; right signal is hidden in the amp lamp area. |
SEAT BELT INDICATOR | Displays upon ignition to remind driver to use seat belt. |
BRAKE LAMP | Displays upon ignition, when the parking brake is engaged, and when there is a problem with the dual braking system. |
CHECK TURBO | Indicates turbo unit problems (2.3L 4-cylinder turbo only; this was likely never functional on this cluster). |
CHECK ENGINE | Indicates a problem with the emissions system; have EEC computer checked. |
GEAR INDICATOR | Displays transmission gear (for cars with column shifter only). |
Optional System Sentry Display
LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
LOW BEAM OUT | Indicates one of the low beam headlamps has burned out. Replace with halogen bulb only. |
LAMP OUT | Indicates a taillamp or side marker lamp is out. |
DOOR AJAR | Indicates that one or both doors have not been fully closed. |
CHECK OIL | Indicates a low oil level via a sensor in the oil pan. |
LOW WASHER FLUID | Indicates that the washer fluid reservoir is nearly empty. |
LOW FUEL | Indicates that the fuel level is low. Will light up with approx. 4 gallons left. |
Buttons
(Note: All buttons emit a beep when pressed)
BUTTON | DESCRIPTION |
E/M | Switches display between English (mph, miles traveled) and metric (kph, kilometers traveled). |
RESET TRIP | Resets the trip odometer. Works only when the trip odometer is visible. |
TRIP | Displays the trip odometer. |
SPEED | Sets a speed from which the driver has up to 4 mph over. Once the driver goes 5 mph or over the preset speed, the SPEED lamp flashes and the unit beeps. Once the driver goes back under that barrier, the light and sounds stop. This is a sort of speed control device. The same procedure works in metric mode. |
Wiring
POSITION | FUNCTION | CIRCUIT NO. | COLOR |
PLUG A (GREY) | |||
| 1 | Oil pressure lamp | 31 | White/red |
| 2 | Brake lamp | 977 | Purple/white |
| 3 | Low beam out lamp | 130 | Red/light green |
| 4 | Lamp out lamp | 135 & 132 | Yellow/red |
| 5 | Door ajar lamp | 627 | Black/orange |
| 6 | Warning lamp feed | 640 | Red/yellow |
| 7 | Check Engine lamp | 464 | Black/pink |
| 8 | Temperature lamp | 42 | Red/white |
| 9 | Check turbo lamp | 603 | Dark green |
| 10 | Alternator lamp | 904 | Light green/red |
| 11 | Alt feed from ignition | 687 | Grey/yellow |
| 12 | Ignition to IVR | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 13 | Fuel level | 29 | Yellow/white |
| 14 | 5V out from gauges | 367 | Dark green/white |
| 15 | Temp sender | 39 | Red/white |
| 16 | RH turn signal lamp | 2 | White/light blue |
| 17 | LH turn signal lamp | 3 | Light green/white |
| 18 | LCD illumination (2) | 294 | White/light blue |
PLUG B (BROWN) | |||
| 1 | English/metric out | 506 | Red |
| 2 | Tone enable | 183 | Tan/yellow |
| 3 | Speed signal in | 150 | Dark green/white |
| 4 | – | – | OPEN |
| 5 | – | – | OPEN |
| 6 | – | – | OPEN |
| 7 | – | – | OPEN |
| 8 | Cluster illumination lamps (4) | 19 | Light blue/red |
| 9 | – | – | OPEN |
| 10 | High beam indicator | 12 | Light green/black |
| 11 | Low washer fluid lamp | 82 | Pink/yellow |
| 12 | Low fuel lamp | 215 | Yellow/black |
| 13 | Seat belt lamp | 450 | Dark green/light green |
| 14 | Warning lamp ground | 57 | Black |
| 15 | Low oil lamp | 208 | Gray/light blue |
| 41 | Black/light blue | ||
| 16 | Accessory (run only) | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 17 | Battery | 54 | Light green/yellow |
| 18 | Ground | 359 | Black/white |
1985-88 Analog Cluster (4-Cyl Turbo)
Functions
GAUGE / LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
OIL GAUGE | Displays the oil pressure between L (low), NORM (normal), and H (high). |
TEMP GAUGE | Displays the operating temperature between C (cold), NORM (normal), and H (hot). |
AMMETER GAUGE | Displays the amps between C (charged) and D (discharged). Normal is a tick above the middle. |
FUEL GAUGE | Indicates amount of fuel left. Most gauges will sweep past F when full. On E, approx. 2-4 gallons are left. |
TACHOMETER | Displays engine RPM’s up to 7000. (NOTE: above gauge is prototype and not correct; all numerals display in single digits and is RPMx1000). |
BOOST GAUGE | Displays the turbo boost in PSI between 0 and 14 psi. |
SPEEDOMETER | Indicates speed of car. Stock gauge reads to 80 mph but ticks go to 95 mph. American models had mph numbers and kph numbers smaller. Canadian models had kph numbers larger and mph numbers smaller. |
ODOMETER | Indicates total miles/kilometers traveled. Note the lack of a 10th/mile indicator. |
TRIP ODOMETER | Indicates mileage since trip odometer was reset to 000. Note the 10th/mile indicator. |
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR | Displays when the high beam headlamps are turned on. Located in the middle, near the top. |
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS | Display when the turn signal is activated; both light simultaneously with the emergency flasher. Located in the middle of the cluster toward the bottom. |
SEAT BELT INDICATOR | Displays upon ignition to remind driver to use seat belt. Located on the lower right side of the panel. |
BRAKE LAMP | Displays upon ignition, when the parking brake is engaged, and when there is a problem with the dual braking system. Located on the lower left side of the panel. |
CHECK TURBO | Indicates a turbo unit problem–inspect immediately. |
CHECK ENGINE | Indicates a problem with the emissions system; have EEC computer checked. Located on the lower right side of the panel. |
Wiring
POSITION | FUNCTION | CIRCUIT NO. | COLOR |
PLUG A (GREY) | |||
| 1 | Brake, turbo, tach & speedo 12V+ | 640 | Red/yellow |
| 2 | Check turbo | 160 | Dark green |
| 3 | Brake lamp | 977 | Purple/white |
| 4 | Fuel level sender | 29 | Yellow/white |
| 5 | Amp | 655 | Red/orange |
| 6 | Amp | 654 | Yellow/light green |
| 7 | 12V to IVR | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 8 | Oil sender | 31 | White/red |
| 9 | Temperature sender | 39 | Red/white |
| 10 | 5V IVR return | 367 | Dark green/white |
| 11 | Seat belt lamp | 450 | Dark green/light green |
| 12 | Common ground | 57 | Black |
| 13 | Cluster illumination | 19 | Light blue/red |
| 14 | RH turn signal lamp | 2 | White/light blue |
| 15 | LH turn signal lamp | 3 | Light green/white |
| 16 | Tach in | 11 | Dark green/yellow |
| 17 | High beam indicator | 12 | Light green/black |
| 18 | Speed signal in | 150 | Dark green/white |
1988 Analog Cluster (V8)
Functions
GAUGE / LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
OIL GAUGE | Displays the oil pressure between L (low), NORM (normal), and H (high). |
OIL GAUGE | Displays the oil pressure between L (low), NORM (normal), and H (high). |
TEMP GAUGE | Displays the operating temperature between C (cold), NORM (normal), and H (hot). |
AMMETER GAUGE | Displays the amps between C (charged) and D (discharged). Normal is a tick above the middle. |
FUEL GAUGE | Indicates amount of fuel left. Most gauges will sweep past F when full. On E, approx. 2-4 gallons are left. |
TACHOMETER | Displays engine RPM’s up to 6000. |
SPEEDOMETER | Indicates speed of car. Stock gauge reads to 80 mph but ticks go to 95 mph. American models had mph numbers and kph numbers smaller. Canadian models had kph numbers larger and mph numbers smaller. |
ODOMETER | Indicates total miles/kilometers traveled. Note the lack of a 10th/mile indicator. |
TRIP ODOMETER | Indicates mileage since trip odometer was reset to 000. Note the 10th/mile indicator. |
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR | Displays when the high beam headlamps are turned on. Located in the middle, near the top. |
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS | Display when the turn signal is activated; both light simultaneously with the emergency flasher. Located in the middle of the cluster toward the bottom. |
SEAT BELT INDICATOR | Displays upon ignition to remind driver to use seat belt. Located on the lower right side of the panel. |
BRAKE LAMP | Displays upon ignition, when the parking brake is engaged, and when there is a problem with the dual braking system. Located on the lower left side of the panel. |
CHECK ENGINE | Indicates a problem with the emissions system; have EEC computer checked. Located on the lower right side of the panel. NOTE: Not all cars had this light functioning from the factory! |
Wiring
POSITION | FUNCTION | CIRCUIT NO. | COLOR |
PLUG A (GREY) | |||
| 1 | Brake, tach & speedo 12V+ | 640 | Red/yellow |
| 2 | (Check turbo – unused on V8 cars) | (160) | (Dark green) |
| 3 | Brake lamp | 977 | Purple/white |
| 4 | Fuel level sender | 29 | Yellow/white |
| 5 | Amp | 655 | Red/orange |
| 6 | Amp | 654 | Yellow/light green |
| 7 | 12V to IVR | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 8 | Oil sender | 31 | White/red |
| 9 | Temperature sender | 39 | Red/white |
| 10 | 5V IVR return | 367 | Dark green/white |
| 11 | Seat belt lamp | 450 | Dark green/light green |
| 12 | Common ground | 57 | Black |
| 13 | Cluster illumination | 19 | Light blue/red |
| 14 | RH turn signal lamp | 2 | White/light blue |
| 15 | LH turn signal lamp | 3 | Light green/white |
| 16 | Tach in | 11 | Dark green/yellow |
| 17 | High beam indicator | 12 | Light green/black |
| 18 | Speed signal in | 150 | Dark green/white |
1985-88 Electronic Cluster
Functions
GAUGE / LIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
LEFT MODULE – TACHOMETER/GAUGES | |
| TACHOMETER | Indicates the engine revolutions per minute. Each bar on the tachometer represents 200 rpms. Above 5200 rpms, the bars stay at 6000 rpms. |
| OIL PRESSURE GAUGE | Displays the oil can symbol and the range between L (low), NORM (normal), and H (high) in bars. If the oil pressure drops below normal, the oil pressure gauge is automatically displayed. Also, the oil can will flash on and off, and the tone will activate to alert the driver. |
| VOLTS GAUGE | Displays the battery symbol and the range between L (low), NORM (normal)l, and H (high) in bars. If the voltage goes above or below normal, or if the alternator is not charging, the volts gauge is automatically displayed. Also, the battery will flash on and off, and the tone will activate to alert the driver. |
| TEMPERATURE GAUGE | Displays the thermometer symbol and the temperature range between C (cold), NORM (normal)l, and H (hot) in bars. If the temperature goes above normal, the temperature gauge is automatically displayed. Also, the thermometer will flash on and off, and the tone will activate to alert the driver. |
| FUEL GAUGE | Indicates amount of fuel left, approximated in bars. This gauge is separate from the fuel computer in the right module. Fuel level is displayed in quarter, half, three quarter, and full, and the word FUEL is displayed. |
CENTER MODULE – SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER | |
| SPEEDOMETER | Indicates speed of car. Numerals change 6 times a second. Max speed indicator is 85 mph/ 199 kph. Currently there is no known way to make the speedometer read past 85 mph. |
| ODOMETER | Indicates total miles/kilometers traveled. When mileage surpasses 199,999, will read 100,000. |
| TRIP ODOMETER | Indicates mileage since trip odometer was reset to 000. |
| SPEED | Lights up when SPEED button is pressed (see below). |
| S | Lights up when original speedometer has been replaced. Pre-programmed in replacement module. |
| SERVICE | Lights up every 5,000-7,000 miles as a reminder for the regular service interval. To get rid of the reminder, press the TRIP and TRIP RESET buttons simultaneously; you will hear 3 beeps and the light will go out. |
| ERROR | Indicates that the display cannot verify the odometer memory. This means the speedometer needs replaced. |
| GEAR INDICATOR | Displays transmission gear (for cars with column shifter only). |
RIGHT MODULE – FUEL ECONOMY COMPUTER/WARNING LAMPS | |
| INSTANTANEOUS FUEL ECONOMY | Displays fuel economy (miles per gallon) at present time. |
| AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY | Displays the average fuel economy during this tankful of gas. |
| DISTANCE TO EMPTY (DTE) | Displays the remainder of the cruising range until the fuel runs out. |
| DISTANCE | Displays the distance traveled on this tankful of gas. |
| AVERAGE SPEED | Displays the average speed during this tankful of gas. |
Buttons
(Note: All buttons emit a beep when pressed)
BUTTON | DESCRIPTION |
E/M | Switches between four gauges on the left module. On start-up, the default gauge is the temperature. With one press, the oil pressure gauge shows. With a second press, the voltage gauge displays. With a third press, the fuel level shows. Gauges use bars to approximate levels. |
RESET (TRIP) | Switches display between English (mph, miles traveled) and metric (kph, kilometers traveled). Works for all gauges except tachometer. Also resets the trip odometer—works only when the trip odometer is visible. |
TRIP | Displays the trip odometer. |
RESET (SELECT) | Resets the called-up fuel computer function. |
SELECT | Displays instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, distance, or average speed. |
SPEED | Sets a speed from which the driver has up to 4 mph over. Once the driver goes 5 mph or over the preset speed, the SPEED lamp flashes and the unit beeps. Once the driver goes back under that barrier, the light and sounds stop. This is a sort of speed control device. The same procedure works in metric mode. |
Wiring
Special thanks to Jonathan for clarifying some of the info below.
POSITION | FUNCTION | CIRCUIT NO. | COLOR |
PLUG A (GREY) | |||
| 1 | Check Engine | 464 | Black/pink |
| 130 | Red/light green | ||
| 2 | Lamp out | 42 | Red/white |
| 135 | Yellow/red | ||
| 132 | Orange/black | ||
| 3 | Tach in | 11 | Dark green/yellow |
| 4 | IAR out | 904 | Light green/red |
| 5 | Tone enable | 183 | Tan/yellow |
| 6 | IAR feed | 687 | Grey/yellow |
| 7 | Fuel strap 2 | – | OPEN |
| 8 | Tach strap 1 | 398 | Black/yellow |
| 9 | Tach strap 2 | 398 | Black/yellow |
| 10 | Coolant temperature | 39 | Red/white |
| 11 | Oil pressure | 31 | White/red |
| 12 | Fuel level | 29 | Yellow/white |
| 13 | Signal ground | 60 | Black/light green |
| 14 | Accessory (run only) – Secondary (left) gauges + | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 15 | Ground – Secondary (left) gauges – | 60 | Black/light green |
| 16 | Fuel strap 1 | – | OPEN |
| 17 | PRNDL and button illumination + | 19 | Light blue/red |
| 18 | All illumination lamp ground | 57 | Black |
PLUG B (BROWN) | |||
| 1 | English/metric out | 506 | Red |
| 2 | Tone enable | 183 | Tan/yellow |
| 3 | Speed signal in | 150 | Dark green/white |
| 4 | Fuel flow | 305 | Light blue/pink |
| 5 | Check turbo (ground) | – (603) | OPEN |
| 6 | Brake lamp (ground) | 977 | Purple/white |
| 7 | LH turn signal lamp | 3 | Light green/white |
| 8 | RH turn signal lamp | 2 | White/light blue |
| 9 | High beam indicator | 12 | Light green/black |
| 10 | Seat belt lamp | 450 | Dark green/light green |
| 11 | Low washer fluid lamp | 82 | Pink/yellow |
| 12 | Cluster illumination lamps (6) – voltage varies with headlight and dimmer | 294 | White/light blue |
| 13 | Low oil lamp | 208 | Gray/light blue |
| 41 | Black/light blue | ||
| 14 | Warning lamp feed | 640 | Red/yellow |
| 15 | Door ajar/lamp out | 627/130, 135 & 132 | Black/orange |
| 16 | Accessory (run only) | 295 | Light blue/pink |
| 17 | Battery | 54 | Light green/yellow |
| 18 | Ground | 60 | Black/light green |