Dash lights - 8000

FordTractorMan · Mar 17, 2015

Been working on my new-to-me 8000. None of the dash lights worked - idiot or backlight, and when I pulled the panel off, I found either 0 bulbs in their sockets or ancient bulbs that had blown. Removed the bad ones, cleaned all the sockets, and hooked them up to a tester. Backlights all had power, so I replaced them and have backlights now. As for idiot lights, I put a bulb in the power steering, alt, and oil. They work (alt bulb not working right yet, but that's another story). When I started the engine, the ps light and the oil light stayed on. Engine sump and ps reservoir both full. What could be the problem?

Bern · Mar 17, 2015

There's no such thing as a PS light on an 8000, or for that matter any model of Ford tractor that I can think of. My guess is that you're confusing that with an air cleaner restriction light.

The air cleaner light works in tandem with the oil pressure circuit when the engine is off, meaning that when the key is on, engine off, both the oil light and air cleaner light will come on, courtesy of the oil pressure switch. This is a designed in feature to serve as a key-on bulb check for the air cleaner light.

My guess is that you either have a faulty oil pressure switch, or else a short to ground in that circuit. This will cause BOTH lights to come on. Simply disconnect the wire at the oil pressure switch and see if both lights go out. If they do, you either have zero oil pressure (not likely) or else a bad switch. More than once I've seen the wire dangling and shorting out on the block.

FordTractorMan · Mar 17, 2015

Ok, I'll check for that. As for a power steering light, maybe I need to dig out the owner's manual and see how it's labeled. The light is at the top of the tach and when lit, looks like a 3 spoke steering wheel. If it's an air cleaner light, where is the sensor for the air cleaner? This tractor has one of these indicators screwed into the top of the intake towards the rear - closer to the operator's platform - that has a green stripe in the clear window when the air cleaner isn't stopped up. Would that be separate from the sensor that triggers the dash light?

Bern · Mar 17, 2015

I'm not sure. Sounds like the owner's manual is going to have the final say. If there is in fact a light for the air cleaner, then yes, that would be a separate sensor.

FOMOCO Farmer · Mar 18, 2015

The 8000 does have a power steering fluid level light on it. I have a 70 model that has the canister under the hood and it has a wire on it. When the fluid level is low, it lights up a steering wheel on the dash cluster.

Bern · Mar 18, 2015

Good to know, I never knew that. That was something that obviously did not last long though.

FordTractorMan · Mar 18, 2015

Thanks, FoMoCo Farmer. Just to be sure I was right, I checked the manual. So, as for my idiot light problem, ps, alt, and oil all light up and stay on after the engine starts. With engine running, pulled the wire off the oil sender and they went out. Is replacing the oil sensor still the best place to start?

sotxbill · Mar 19, 2015

might not hurt to temporary put an oil gauge on that port and check the pressure.. if good, get a new sending unit... if bad.. you need to find out whats up. Same sending unit as on a 65 mustang or falcon...

Sean in PA · Mar 19, 2015

I'm not familiar with that model so I may be wrong, but I wouldn't think that the connection to the oil pressure sender would have anything to do with the alternator or power steering lights. I can understand the air filter light being connected to the oil pressure sender as Bern said, but not the p/s or alt lights.

Dash lights - 8000

FordTractorMan

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Bern

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FordTractorMan

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Bern

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FOMOCO Farmer

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Bern

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FordTractorMan

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sotxbill

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Sean in PA

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