1995 Mustang Clock issues when head lights are turned on

[jen25ca]

The clock in my 1995 mustang started acting up about two weeks ago. When I turn my head lights or park lights on, the clock display turns off. When I turn my headlights or park lights off, the clock display turns back on and displays whatever time it was when I turned my lights on. For example, if I turn my lights on at 9:00 and off at 9:15, the clock will still display 9:00 when the lights are turned off and I'm able to read the clock again. While the lights are off the clock operates as normal.

Any help how to fix this issue would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Jennifer

[White91GT]

I assume you're reffering to the clock on the top of the dash and not a clock in the radio.

The problem is most likely the ground for the illumination circuit (dash/radio/a/c lights) and clock. They all share a common ground- ground 204. It is located behind the radio and is black in color.

If you pull out the radio, there should be 3 grounds back there, you will be looking for the one that is all black with no stripes (there should also be black with yellow stripe and a black with light green- those are different grounds). The grounds will be bolted to a non-painted metal part under the dash with a round eylet to hold the wire to the bolt. Check the black one with no stripe for it being tight and not corroded (green flakey substance on the eyelet or metal). If it is tight and not corroded, there is a problem in the wire itself and it will need to be checked with a volt meter and replaced if bad.

I can go into detail on checking the wires but it's more complicated and not sure how profficient you are with a volt meter.

[dee_saleen]

Originally Posted by White91GT

I assume you're reffering to the clock on the top of the dash and not a clock in the radio.

The problem is most likely the ground for the illumination circuit (dash/radio/a/c lights) and clock. They all share a common ground- ground 204. It is located behind the radio and is black in color.

If you pull out the radio, there should be 3 grounds back there, you will be looking for the one that is all black with no stripes (there should also be black with yellow stripe and a black with light green- those are different grounds). The grounds will be bolted to a non-painted metal part under the dash with a round eylet to hold the wire to the bolt. Check the black one with no stripe for it being tight and not corroded (green flakey substance on the eyelet or metal). If it is tight and not corroded, there is a problem in the wire itself and it will need to be checked with a volt meter and replaced if bad.

I can go into detail on checking the wires but it's more complicated and not sure how profficient you are with a volt meter.

I agree with all of this, plus it is always smarter to do the simplest things first.