Speedo, Oil Presure

[email protected] · October 21, 2009

I have a 04 silverado, and the gauges are sketchy. The speedo never works, it slowly moves between 0 and 120 but has me going 120 most of the time, and the oil pressure guage sometimes reads what the engine is doing but sometimes says 0, and the temp gauge dies as well. I figure that I need a gauge cluster, and am looking at ebay. What years are interchangeable, and is this just plug and play or do the ecm and the dash compare notes and then flip out if they realize that there has been a change made. I also saw an ad for "stepper motors" can I just change these or does this require calibration. anybody have info on the "rebuilds" available on ebay? I am also looking at the rebuilds out there and some offer a trans temp gauge upgrade. If I could be sucessful in the stepper motor change, can I also buy a trans gauge?

bossier62guy · October 21, 2009

I have a 04 silverado, and the gauges are sketchy. The speedo never works, it slowly moves between 0 and 120 but has me going 120 most of the time, and the oil pressure guage sometimes reads what the engine is doing but sometimes says 0, and the temp gauge dies as well. I figure that I need a gauge cluster, and am looking at ebay. What years are interchangeable, and is this just plug and play or do the ecm and the dash compare notes and then flip out if they realize that there has been a change made. I also saw an ad for "stepper motors" can I just change these or does this require calibration. anybody have info on the "rebuilds" available on ebay? I am also looking at the rebuilds out there and some offer a trans temp gauge upgrade. If I could be sucessful in the stepper motor change, can I also buy a trans gauge?

If you're under 70K miles GM will replace it for you....

txab · October 21, 2009

I have a 04 silverado, and the gauges are sketchy. The speedo never works, it slowly moves between 0 and 120 but has me going 120 most of the time, and the oil pressure guage sometimes reads what the engine is doing but sometimes says 0, and the temp gauge dies as well. I figure that I need a gauge cluster, and am looking at ebay. What years are interchangeable, and is this just plug and play or do the ecm and the dash compare notes and then flip out if they realize that there has been a change made. I also saw an ad for "stepper motors" can I just change these or does this require calibration. anybody have info on the "rebuilds" available on ebay? I am also looking at the rebuilds out there and some offer a trans temp gauge upgrade. If I could be sucessful in the stepper motor change, can I also buy a trans gauge?

If you're under 70K miles GM will replace it for you....

Another post of his shows 120k on the clock, so he's screwed.

You can send yours in and have it repaired. The truck can be driven without the cluster in place. To get the trans gauge, you would also need a new overlay that included the temp markings for the gauge. The guys on ebay that are rebuilding them should be able to help you on what years are interchangeable.

[email protected] · October 21, 2009

yeah, 120k

how about buying a used one, it appears that everybody is saying 03-06 but another guy says that they need to be programmed to the bcm or it wont work is that true or can i just get one from a boneyard? i ask because a boneyard wants 75 bucks and to repair mine is 150. And how about just changing the stepper motors?

txab · October 21, 2009

I have heard about the programming thing. There are a few posts on this site or on another site that details how to replace them. You need to feel comfortable removing solder and soldering things. Fortunately mine was replaced courtesy of GM. I figure I could do the work with no problem myself, but I have better things to do with my time. I'd pay the $150 myself, but understand your situation.

bossier62guy · October 21, 2009

yeah, 120k

how about buying a used one, it appears that everybody is saying 03-06 but another guy says that they need to be programmed to the bcm or it wont work is that true or can i just get one from a boneyard? i ask because a boneyard wants 75 bucks and to repair mine is 150. And how about just changing the stepper motors?

Not absolutely sure about an 03 but I swapped my 02 out w/ one from a 2500 and nothing other than the hours/mileage had to be programmed into the new cluster.

txab · October 21, 2009

yeah, 120k

how about buying a used one, it appears that everybody is saying 03-06 but another guy says that they need to be programmed to the bcm or it wont work is that true or can i just get one from a boneyard? i ask because a boneyard wants 75 bucks and to repair mine is 150. And how about just changing the stepper motors?

Not absolutely sure about an 03 but I swapped my 02 out w/ one from a 2500 and nothing other than the hours/mileage had to be programmed into the new cluster.

Mileage was the only thing I had heard about too, but have seen on this site a time or two, talk of programming for the bcm. Good to know for sure.

I had a discussion with dlstewart01 'cause I thought I remembered he had replaced his IPC. based on his info, if you want to go to the boneyard try to get one from the same year model. There is no programming other than odometer.

Only problem with the boneyard route, what if you get one and it goes bad in a few months because of the same defect? Might still be better to buy a rebuilt unit. Peace or mind/