Gauge Cluster Issues

[JohnC]

Hey guys hoping someone can shed some insight. I have a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500HD. A couple of years ago I had the gauge cluster issue that GM did a recall on. However, my truck had about 5,000 miles over their coverage range.

Well yesterday I was driving and the gauge cluster reset like when you start the truck. Then one time after I got in it and started it up it wouldn't do anything. When it was messed up before the only thing that was messed up was the speedometer. This time everything is correct, just acting real weird, and sometimes not at all. You can tap the cluster, and sometimes it will pop right on, and sometimes it will not. So I took the cluster out to see if the plug on the back was loose, but it was fine.

I called the dealership where I got the replacement cluster, and of course same issue. They only come with a 2yr/12,000 mile warranty.

This morning it was working just like normal. I stopped at a couple of places and everytime it worked like it was supposed to.

Just wondering if anyone was having similar issues with their replacement cluster, or original clusters. Thanks.

[BossHogg69]

the speedo in my '05 Sierra stopped working at almost exactly 60,000. wasn't covered under the recall. Sometime it stays on '0' or just floats around the gauge face wherever it pleases. Everything else works just fine.

[JohnC]

Yeah that's what mine did the first time. It was just the speedo. Now nothing will work. The lights will come on at night, but the DIC, and all the gauges are dead.

I tried disconnecting the battery yesterday, no luck. Also tried using some dielectric grease on the connector, no luck. However, sometimes when it's off you can give it a good whack, and it will come on. Seems like something is not making a good connection in the cluster itself, but I tried taking it apart yesterday, and figured it would for sure be broke then. So I just put it back together, and still in the same boat.

[truckdude239]

go to a junk yard and see if you can get anohter cluster to try it with

[JohnC]

I guess that's what I'm going to do. It hasn't worked for the last couple of days.

[JohnC]

Well the cluster still isn't working so I guess I'll get it repaired or buy another one or something.

I was wondering if there were any board members on here that did the repairs to these clusters? Also if anyone has any recommendations of anyone that has done their repairs. The first time I used the local dealership. Well the customer service I received this time pretty much sealed their fate as to me using them again.

Joe231 sent me a link to a site mrwhizard.com. Have anyone used this place before? The price seems fair especially with the shipping included. The speedometer place here in OKC is no longer in business, and the next closest place is in Tulsa, and the guy I talked to on the phone was less than enthused to answer my questions.

Thanks guys!

[Hook'em]

I need to get my cluster fixed as well. Three weeks ago, the oil pressure gauge pegged, then the temp. gauge pegged last week, and now the speedometer is working intermittantly. Your link looks like a good price - I have heard it is about $500 to have replaced at the dealership.

[JohnC]

I know they are covered under a recall by GM up to 7yr/70,000 miles. So if you are under that defintely go that way first. My first round I was just over. I argued the point, but no deal. This time I did the same about the replacement on I received. Again no deal.

I need to get something done though. I can live without a speedo, but the gas gauge is a pretty important thing.

[truckdude239]

8 years 80,000

[JohnC]

8yr/80,000 what?

[BIG-AL]

Well i'm in the same boat. But i used 3 different clusters, all did the same thing 1 day no gas gauge, mess.center keeps flashing batt. And secerity....some days nothing at all till i hit a good pot hole. Mi. Roads. Then eveything comes on. No evey other day mine mess. Stays on secerity after i shut it off . Overnight kills the batt.

I heard theres an issue on the wiring on these. Where it comes to the dash, gm had to short of wire harness, they pulled it tight,and later on keep shorting out dash....?????????

1999 2500 4x4

[JohnC]

I'll check that out tonight. If I don't find anything I guess I'll ship it to the mrwhizard guys, and get it repaired.

[Hook'em]

Update: I called the local Chevy dealer when my truck had 73k+ and they asked me to bring it in and have the diagnostics check, vin number & mileage. GM provided the new gauge cluster for free and all I paid was $95 for labor. Not totally free, but better than paying $350+ for the gauge cluster or even $189 to have the old cluster sent off and fixed.

[BIG-AL]

i bought a o.b.d.2 plugged it in....code 0300 showed up, called autozone they said it's a misfire......

i cleared the codes. now it's fine....everything works........weird......

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by Hook'em

Update: I called the local Chevy dealer when my truck had 73k+ and they asked me to bring it in and have the diagnostics check, vin number & mileage. GM provided the new gauge cluster for free and all I paid was $95 for labor. Not totally free, but better than paying $350+ for the gauge cluster or even $189 to have the old cluster sent off and fixed.

On one hand I want to say your lucky, on the other hand it makes me I already replaced mine when the recall came out. So GM said they would reimburse the expense. When I sent them a copy of the bill, from a GM dealership. They said it had too many miles. So I promptly called them on it, and no luck. Oh well.

I found a guy here locally that works on them so I am taking it to him today. He was puzzled as to what it was doing too. He said normally it's either the gauges or the odometer, but not usually everything.

[JohnC]

Well I finally got the gauge cluster repaired. It is so nice to have a gas gauge again.

It ended up being the resistors in the cluster. He said several of them were shot. He said this was the first one he had seen that had this issue. Needless to say it's done.

If anyone is needing on worked on pm me and I can give you this guys info. He's a real nice guy, and was fair on price compared to everything else I had found.

[truckdude239]

i'm glAD you got it fixed

[ajcan]

I had the same issue on my 2001.I replaced the whole cluster with a used one that has a trans temp gauge.I had been wondering how to add a trans temp gauge then found out the wiring is there.I only needed a cluster with a temp gauge on it.Just a heads up for you guys wanting to replace your cluster and have a trans temp gauge.

AJ

[JohnC]

Great info to know. Thanks!

[southbounddee]

if i buy a new cluster will it be plug and play? dealership told me no...any help..

[ajcan]

southbounddee

When I bought my used one it was plug and play though I was told it would not be.
However I do not have enough experience to say for sure.I just know mine was.

AJ

[JohnC]

They can be a plug and play setup as far as I know. However, different trucks, and models have different options in the gauges. Like the HD's have the tranny temp gauges. Some also have different options in the DIC. I just had my motors replaced in mine, but like ajcan stated others have just replaced it with another cluster, and didn't have any problems.

[allengator]

Guys... are you good at soldering???

There are two common problems with the clusters.

1. individual gauges jump around and read erratically
2. TOTALLY dead cluster... (or intermittenly DEAD cluster)

Solution 1:
The stepper motors that run the gauges are junk and fail often.
Upgraded stepper motors can be had on eBay and are tedious but not super difficult to replace. While you are there... resolder all the joints near the main connector.

Solution 2:
Poor solder joints near main connector. Sometimes you can see them cracked, sometimes you cant.
Pull the cluster, solder them all carefully, and reinstall

[JohnC]

I never have messed with soldering, and circuit boards, and I didn't want to start on the cluster in my truck. I does seem easy to do, but wasn't where I wanted to learn.

[southbounddee]

i'm with johnC , i wan't to buy one and stick it in . anyone got any ideals on where to get a new one????would like to shop around first and compare prices.....p.s. i called the dealership and they said it wouldn't work that it had to be programed for it to work,..i'm thinking bulls@!t sounds like he wants my money!