[wes104]

im finally about to replace my cluster on my 2001 mercury sable ls premium with a duratec and was wondering after i replace it will i need to have it programmed or new keys made like I've read on other sites or is that just on newer vehicles

 

[rjacket]

You won't need to do anything additional.

 

[chartmaker]

im finally about to replace my cluster on my 2001 mercury sable ls premium with a duratec and was wondering after i replace it will i need to have it programmed or new keys made like I've read on other sites or is that just on newer vehicles

Couple pics. Be sure to replace the bulbs in the replacement. You will have 1 or 2 switches in the cluster as in the pics see red arrows. These pop out first thing, unplug with a string attached to the connector. This will let your get them back from the back. When putting the cluster back, pull the strings through the holes When the cluster is back in, the strings will let you hold the plugs to plug in the switch. Cut the string and plug the switch back in.
If you have not done this before, remove the radio/climate system first. Put the shifter (if console) all the way back to "1". Remove the bottom trim from the steering column, and move the steering all the way down.
Cluster is plug and play. Odometer reading stays with the cluster and not the car.
My '03 had ABS module fail and it burned the amber light out. I went to get a bulb from the JY but decided to take the cluster. Had ~70K miles showing. '04-'05 clusters do not interchange.
The '00-'03 can be black or white face. I have both and do not really care.
-chart-

 

[wes104]

You won't need to do anything additional.

Couple pics. Be sure to replace the bulbs in the replacement. You will have 1 or 2 switches in the cluster as in the pics see red arrows. These pop out first thing, unplug with a string attached to the connector. This will let your get them back from the back. When putting the cluster back, pull the strings through the holes When the cluster is back in, the strings will let you hold the plugs to plug in the switch. Cut the string and plug the switch back in.
If you have not done this before, remove the radio/climate system first. Put the shifter (if console) all the way back to "1". Remove the bottom trim from the steering column, and move the steering all the way down.
Cluster is plug and play. Odometer reading stays with the cluster and not the car.
My '03 had ABS module fail and it burned the amber light out. I went to get a bulb from the JY but decided to take the cluster. Had ~70K miles showing. '04-'05 clusters do not interchange.
The '00-'03 can be black or white face. I have both and do not really care.
-chart-

my car is floor shift so if i get a column shift one can the gear indicator be removed and the blank plastic piece be installed?

 

[don2775]

im finally about to replace my cluster on my 2001 mercury sable ls premium with a duratec and was wondering after i replace it will i need to have it programmed or new keys made like I've read on other sites or is that just on newer vehicles

I would recommend replacing the cluster bulbs with LED bulbs before replacing it. I got my bulbs from superbrightleds.com. As far as your question about the shift indicator, I think you should be able to replace it. Once you have the cluster out you should be able to see the indicator plate. If you want to, for your own sake, you can adjust the odotomer to the miles on your current cluster, but if it's over 100,000, it won't matter.