Dash going crazy on startup...

[flyboyron]

This video below is what happens with my 2009 Silverado at startup in the morning when it is colder than 50 degrees. This will last about 3 - 4 minutes and then never happen again all day no matter how many times it is started. The colder it is the more the lights flash and will take up to 5 - 6 minutes before slowing down and quit acting up. One morning it was 28 degrees out and they flash fast and the gauge needles jumped more often.

 

When you approach the truck first thing the gauges are all still and lights are off. Once you hit the door remote, the gauges start to jiggle a little and a clicking noise, just as heard on the following video is heard.

After I insert the key and start it, the video shows what happens.

 

You can also see if you watch the first part of the video, the gauges are moving before I turn the key on and also just as I turn the key....they are jiggling. They will do that until I start the vehicle. I opened the door one time and closed it, then came back 10 min later, and the gauges were still jiggling.

 

I have had the battery replaced.

Both Positive and Negative battery cables replaced.

 

The dealer has had it a few days and is still trying to figure out what is wrong because of the short time span this happens. Once it quits, it doesn't do it all day.

 

They talk about voltages going to the instrument cluster, and are still investigating that route.

 

I was also told that replacing the cluster is $1,000.00. I found a video on YouTube where they remove the cluster in less than 10 minutes, and if I looked up the correct part at the different GM parts sites the cluster is around $200.00.

 

So I don't know what is going on here.

 

Any areas to suggest them to look?

 

Here is the video...

 

 

[Jsdirt]

Ahh the joys of electronics! So great when they work, but boy do they go haywire when they don't!

 

Sorry I don't have a concrete answer for ya, but I'm shocked the cluster is only $200. I'd have figured a missing zero on that price ...

[Doug_Scott]

Clusters on Ebay go for about $200. Given that it is purely temperature, related my guess would be a cold solder connection. Problem is finding it. Since all gauges are moving, it looks like it will be either the power or ground circuit for the cluster. Try to isolate the source of the clicking. May be a relay, and you may be able to trace back from it to where the issue is. Cold solder connection issues have been a problem since they started soldering connections. Does not really matter how complex the system is, there are only so many serviceable parts involved here. Think of it like each part has a job to do, you don't need to know how it does it, just what it does, and what tells it to do that.

You will need a wiring diagram, digital VOM, and some understanding of DC circuits. Loose or poor ground connections tend to be the most common cause of automotive electrical issues for some reason. When temperature becomes a factor, loose connection becomes more common.