The small cable in the instrument cluster

Did you perform the Instrument Cluster Diagnostic System Check?
--
YES - Go to Step 2
NO - Go to Diagnostic System Check - Instrument Cluster
2
Turn OFF the ignition.
Install a scan tool.
Start the engine.
Place the gear shift lever in the following gears:
• PARK
• REVERSE
• NEUTRAL
• DRIVE
Observe the Transmission Range parameter in the powertrain control module (PCM) data display.
Does the scan tool indicate that the Transmission Range parameter is the same as the PRNDL display for all gears?
YES - Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check Engine Controls - 3.8L
NO - Go to Step 3
3
Replace the instrument cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement?

There is a string/cable that goes from the shifter to the instrument panel the controls where the needle points. Your's sounds like it is slipped. These are a pain to replace and you better find one before taking apart everything. You have to remove the column bezel and the instrument cluster to fix this. There is an adjustment for this, but your's is to far out. Plus when adjusting the parts usually break, made of plastic. I would just live with it.

• the whole cluster, ?
• all warning lamps,?
• all gauges dead.?
• all parking lamps dead?. in with head light switch to 1st click park?

did you check the fuses yet? (use a meter, not just look)
does car drive. ?
are there other features in car dead?

here is the schematic.
wrangler TJ
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/knowledge-base/index.htm?utm_source=cj#service

see WIRING
see chapter.8w-40-8
see fuse 1? parking lamps.
40-2
see fuse 10 and 17? blown.
the lamps are all controlled by the cluster brain
the PCM or BCM tells the cluster what to do via, a network
called the CCD bus.

the first step is to check fuses.
then scan the PCM see if there are DTC errors.
that is how it is done.

ask more , tell more, get more.

wrong shift cable

You will need to replace the indicator, this is controled by a cable that connects to steering housing,it sounds like it broke or came loose,good day

there is a small cable/string attached to the steering column part of the shifter. when you move the shifter it pulls the cable/string, which moves the lever in the cluster on the PRNDL display. basically look carefully at where the shifter base is and you should find the cable/string thing, and reattach it.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Conventional Cluster Fig. 1: Remove the trim screw covers on the driver's and . . .
Fig. 2: . . . passenger side of the instrument cluster
Fig. 3: Remove the upper trim panel retaining screws
Fig. 4: Remove the headlight switch knob
Fig. 5: Detach the electrical connectors for the trim panel and remove it from the vehicle
Fig. 6: Remove the instrument cluster retaining screws from either side of the cluster
Fig. 7: Remove the transmission range indicator cable
Fig. 8: Slide the cluster out and detach the electrical connectors and . . .
Fig. 9: . . . . remove the instrument cluster from the vehicle

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. On 1989 vehicles, disconnect the speedometer cable. On 1989 Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis, remove the headlight switch knob and shaft assembly.
3. Remove the instrument cluster trim cover attaching screws and remove the trim cover.
4. Except 1992-98 Grand Marquis, remove the lower steering column cover retaining screws and remove the lower cover. On 1992-98 Grand Marquis, remove the knee bolster retaining screws and remove the knee bolster.
5. On all except 1992-98 Grand Marquis, remove the lower half of the steering column shroud.
6. Remove the screw holding the transmission range indicator column bracket to the steering column. Detach the cable loop from the pin and cane shift lever. Remove the column bracket from the column.
7. Remove the 4 cluster retaining screws. Disconnect the cluster feed plugs from the receptacle and remove the cluster assembly.
8. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

Electronic Cluster NOTE: The electronics within the electronic instrument cluster are not serviceable. In the event of an electronic failure, the entire instrument cluster must be replaced or returned to the manufacturer for repair.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and set the parking brake.
2. Unsnap the center moulding on the left and right sides of the instrument panel. Remove the steering column cover and column shroud.
3. Remove the knobs from the auto dim and auto lamp switches, if equipped. Remove the 13 screws retaining the instrument panel and pull the panel out.
4. Move the shift lever to the 1 position, if required, for easier access.
5. Detach the electrical connectors from the warning lamp module, switch module and center panel switches, if equipped.
6. Remove the instrument cluster carefully so as not to scratch the cluster lens. Detach the electrical connector from the front of the cluster.
7. Disconnect the transmission range indicator assembly from the cluster by carefully bending the bottom tab down and pulling the indicator assembly forward.
8. Pull the cluster out and detach the electrical connectors on the rear of the cluster. Remove the instrument cluster.
9. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

Removal & Installation

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
   
2. Remove the lower steering column cover-to-instrument panel screws and the cover.
   
3. Remove the instrument cluster trim plate-to-instrument cluster screws and the panel, then allow the panel to hang to the left side by the wiring.
   
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the rear of the headlight switch.
   
5. Disengage and remove the headlight switch from the instrument cluster trim plate.
   

To install:

1. Connect the electrical connector to the rear of the headlight switch.
   
2. Engage and install the headlight switch in the instrument cluster trim plate.
   
3. Install the instrument cluster trim plate-to-instrument cluster screws and the panel.
   
4. Install the lower steering column cover-to-instrument panel screws and the cover.
   
5. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery and check operation.
   

Mst shift linkage are now cables. You may have to replace cable.

Section 13-01: Instrument Cluster—Conventional 1995 Thunderbird, Cougar Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Instrument Cluster Removal and Installation

1. Disconnect battery ground cable (14301) .

1. Remove screws holding instrument panel reinforcement (017A28) .

1. Remove screws holding instrument panel lower shield (045G02) .

1. Remove fasteners holding steering wheel column as outlined in Section 11-04 . Gently lower steering column.

1. Remove fasteners holding the instrument panel finish panel (044D70) and gently pry off.
   
   
   
   

1. Remove four instrument cluster retaining screws. (Do not remove screws from the instrument cluster main lens (10887) and instrument cluster mask (10890) ).

1. Slide the instrument cluster (10849) to the right of the instrument panel opening and unhook the instrument panel harness from the back of the instrument cluster .

1. Remove the instrument cluster from the instrument panel (04320) .

-----------------------
Speedometer/Odometer Federal law requires that the odometer in any replacement speedometer (17255) must register the same mileage as that registered in the removed speedometer . Since the speedometer mileage cannot be reset on this unit, affix odometer sticker to driver's door pillar and record original vehicle mileage. Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable (14301) .

1. Remove the instrument cluster (10849) as outlined.

1. Remove seven screws retaining the instrument cluster mask (10890) and instrument cluster main lens (10887) .

1. Remove speedometer assembly.

Installation

1. Position the speedometer assembly to the instrument cluster back plate (10848) and install.

1. Position the instrument cluster mask and instrument cluster main lens to the instrument cluster back plate and install the seven retaining screws.

1. Install the instrument cluster as outlined.

1. Connect battery ground cable and check the operation of the speedometer .

please rate if this helps