I have a 2004 Taurus wagon with 127,000 miles. The data portion of the instrument cluster has gone nuts - it scrolls through all the available data, including the engineering tests, all on it's own. It switches from miles to km and back. The buttons to the right (set, reset, info) do nothing. The cluster beeps sometimes while it is scrolling.

I've tried disconnecting the negative battery lead for a couple of hours, but that did nothing to correct the problem.

Any suggestions? Is this thing about to strand me?
Thanks in advance.

 

It sounds to me that a button is not releasing . Is the control button on the steering wheel? Or the dash?

 

I am with shroensr on this one. CRC makes an electronics cleaner that completely evaporates and is safe on plastics. I would use that and try spraying in the gaps around the buttons while pushing them. If it does not work than you are out of less than 10 bux and you have an electronics cleaner for those gummed up remote controls in the den.
I think I would take the battery negative off before this operation.
I don't think the info gadget has any effect on the the car's operation.

 

The buttons are on the dash. I'll give the cleaner a try and report back. Thanks.

 

If that doesn't work, sounds like wires are shorting out .

 

Were you able to get it fixed , just wanted to follow up .