Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting My clock died!!

Today I noticed that my clock isn't illuminated anymore. It lights up dim when the headlights are on but not when they're off. I found a shorted out transistor that's preventing it from lighting up.
Anyone know where I can get a schematic for the circuitry of the clock?? Or, I guess it's just time for a new one.

join the club, my bulb burnt out today too.

Go to Ford, got the socket and bulb for $3.75. If they charge you more than $5, they're trying to rip you off.

Takes 5 min. to replace.

John

yes, its very easy to replace. i replaced mine last year and its about a 5 min job. and yes, i got ripped off. i believe i payed about $5.

As others mentioned, you probably only need to replace the bulb. You have perfectly described what happens when the bulb burns out.

To change the bulb, gently pry the clock out of the dash. You might be able to pry it out with only your finger nails, but you may need a small thin bladed screwdriver. On a Mystique, it is a little harder as you need to remove the dash bezel to gain access to the clock (except for the lattest Mystiques, I think 99 and 00, which are the same as the Contour). The same screwdriver should help remove the bulb and socket from the back of the clock. The socket with the bulb attached twists out like turning the head of a screw.

When you change the bulb, don't forget to transfer the green sleeve covering the bulb. (If equipped, some may not have come with the green sleeve.) If you don't, the clock will be brigher than before and the color will not match the rest of the instrumentation. The sleeve will come off, but it sometimes takes some patience to get it loose.

Last I knew, you could only get the bulb through Ford. It is a unique size.

I replaced Mom's clock bulb last week... for FREE!!! Apparently, it didn't bother the parts counterman any, but then, he recycled the socket. I was worried for a while when the bulb didn't want to go into the clock right, but fiddling with it got positive results.

Well guys and gals, I wish it was as simple as replacing the bulb. I thought that also so I replaced it and that didn't cure the problem so I gave it to my dad (electronics tech.) and he pulled out the ole' voltage meter and tore the clock apart, mapped out the traces and tested for any shorts. That's how I found out it was a shorted transistor on the board. Sad thing is, it's harder to find a $0.25 part to fix it than it is to get a new clock in this "throw it away and get a new one world." He wants to fix it :rolleyes: Funny thing is that I noticed it quit working right after I had to replace my battery, before that, it worked fine. I WISH it was just a burnt out bulb!!! But thanks for the responses everyone!

Bummer!

JPett, now I know why I didn't see the info - it was posted 4 hours after my question :p

I should have the same problem and want to fix it, too. I'll try and find some way to identify it and if I come up with anything, I'll let you konw.

Do you need the specs for that transistor? Is it fried (illegible) or just malfunctioning?