Instrument cluster fail

Mutineer · August 2, 2016

My instrument cluster stopped working checked fuses and bat cable connections. So I got a rebuilt cluster and installed it and still nothing. Any ideas

dsr611 · August 2, 2016

Let's look into the crystal ball and see what year and model truck you have

flyboyron · August 2, 2016

My dash has been giving me problems for 10 months..turning off and coming back on again..I will keep my eye on this to see if any solutions will help me.

SpartanAutoworx · August 3, 2016

My dash has been giving me problems for 10 months..turning off and coming back on again..I will keep my eye on this to see if any solutions will help me.

I would take it a part and reflow all the connections in the cluster.

Mutineer · August 3, 2016

Sorry. 2010 Silverado. 6 Gage cluster

Mutineer · August 3, 2016

Ok got it slight corrosion on exterior fuse box. All the fuses had checked out with power on both side on top. Pulled the box out and removed each fuse cleaned with contact cleaner and now it's working. hope this helps someone else

flyboyron · August 6, 2016

Ok got it slight corrosion on exterior fuse box. All the fuses had checked out with power on both side on top. Pulled the box out and removed each fuse cleaned with contact cleaner and now it's working. hope this helps someone else

You know that is a good suggestion.

My truck was at the dealer for a total of 5 days and they checked everything. I am sure if they checked the fuses, they must have thought it was fine. I don't think they check for corrosion or would even think that could be a problem.

When my dash acts up, I also have the overhead seat belt lights that flash and the turn signals act up also, which makes me believe it is not the cluster going bad.

I have always thought it was some type of power interruption. I will talk to my mechanic next week and see what he would charge to clean all that for me.

Thanks for tip.

flyboyron · August 11, 2016

You know what I just realized....

I did some research at home and found the following.

August 2015, I ran over some fresh gray paint someone had spilled on the road. It was a lot of paint.

I had the right side of my truck covered in paint. You name it, it had gray paint splatter on it.

I took the truck to a detail shop to get it all cleaned off.

When I picked up the truck, they proudly showed me how good a job they did, and the guy opened the hood and showed me how he cleaned the engine.

I wanted to scream. I don't let anyone ever clean the engine so as not to get water in any of the electronics. That could be expensive.

Well it was too late and I forgot about it until now.

The electrical problem I have showed up a month later. The colder air, and the more moister in the air, the worse the electronics act up.

I would not be surprised if this is where I need to start.

Colossus · August 12, 2016

I doubt it. Maybe back in the 80s and 90s, but engines and what not now a days do just fine with being washed and steam cleaned. Even the electronic components. I keep my engine bay clean. Always have on all of my vehicles, never have had any issues.

Mutineer · August 12, 2016

Pull your top off and check that fuse block pull some of the fuses and look for a chalky white corrosion that box comes out pretty easily and can be replaced

flyboyron · September 20, 2016

Well, I got a call from the dealer today to pick up the truck. They can't find anything wrong. They have had it for a week.

They originally told me to change the battery cables. So I did.

Now they are saying when I changed the battery cables, I must have damaged something and that is what is causing the bad connection.

HELLO! They told me to change the battery cables because they were the problem. The problem was there before it was worked on.....And it is still there. I think the lights are on but nobodies home!

When I pick it up I am going to ask them what to do. I can't keep driving it like this.

If they don't have any suggestions, I am going to call GM Customer Service.

This is why when my wife went to buy a new car last weekend, we did not consider GM vehicles AT ALL!

bobbysmith · September 22, 2016

Had a similar issue on my 02 silverado. Then turned into a no start issue one day. Dealer said it was the computer and quoted me an price. I was gonna just pull it out myself and when I unhooked the first connector water ran out of it. Pulled the computer cleaned all the contacts and put dielectric grease in it and never had another problem.

Coby7 · October 5, 2016

Try pulling the IP fuse and re-seating it.

flyboyron · October 12, 2016

Well, I drove the truck to work one morning and the dash was completely dead. So I ran by the Chevy dealer and kept the engine running and showed them what it was doing.

The electrical mechanic came out and took a look at the wiring under the hood and pounded on the fuse box and the truck did not change. So he took it back and came out about 5 minutes later saying it was the cluster.

He took me back and showed me when he squeezed the cluster the gauges would go crazy, then when he squeezed it again, it would work right. He did that several times and so the cluster was replaced and I now have no more problems.

It is kind of sad that it took almost a year to get this figured out.

I know a lot of the clusters in the 03 - 06's were bad, but didn't figure mine was included in that bunch.

I am glad I am done with that!

Coby7 · October 12, 2016

I've repaired 3 of the newer style ( 07-up ) all with the same problem, transistor between both displays getting too hot and melting the little solder there is on the leads and causing cold solders. I just added solder and re-flowed. They never came back.