Odometer reads "error"

[texaslincoln]

Hello everyone, I have an 87 Continental Givenchy, and currently the odometer is reading "error". I spoke with the dealer and they say the part is not available from ford anymore but it can be sent off to be repaired for $700 - 800 ! Does anyone know (a) where this chip is located and (b) if there is an easy repair that I can try to correct it? Otherwise I am going to have a big problem because the car needs to be inspected for the state and they cant do it without knowing the mileage! Any help appreciated!

[LSRX101]

This is often an easy fix. Remove the digital cluster and look at the back. You will see a "cube" held into the back of the cluster with one screw. It may have a small harness visible (it is on the Mark VII) that plugs in nearby. Remove the small circuit board from the "cube" and reflow all of the solder connections with a ~30 watt iron. Just heat them up until the solder melts and flows around the pins. Reassemble the board back into the cube, reinstall the cube, and reinstall the cluster. You should find that the odometer not only works, but reads the correct current mileage.

[nicholas77586]

worst comes to worst you should be able to get a junk yard find.

[texaslincoln]

I am going to try this and see if it works. Thanks for the instructions because you are the first that had any clue what I was talking about!!!!!!

[LSRX101]

I am going to try this and see if it works. Thanks for the instructions because you are the first that had any clue what I was talking about!!!!!!

It's a pretty common failure on the Mark VII, I've fixed a few like this. I'm pretty sure the Conti used the same "cube".