Gauge/Dash Gremlin....HELP!!!

[MikeRi24]

First time posting here but I own 4 2500HDs for my Landscaping business. Anyway, I have a strange problem on my '06 2500HD....for a while, the dash lights would dim all the way but after playing with the dimmer switch, they would come back.

 

Now, I have no dash lights at all and none of the gauges work. However, if I raise my snow plow or change the angle, everything works for a while it then it all cuts out again. It seems like it only works when there's a load on the system or something.

 

If the truck sits for more than a few days without being driven, the battery also dies. Any suggestions?? Thanks!

[Formulabruce]

Not sure how your plow is wired into the lights, But It can weaken the contacts in the headlight switch assembly with more load. Switch assemblies are Cheap on ebay or rock auto, may even be able to get one at Napa. I have replaced mine when it was used for plowing .

Its Easy to replace, like 5 minutes MAX.

[Crobinson16]

Following. My 05 is doing the same exact thing, only my plow is not attached and it does it.

[MikeRi24]

Ok. New headlight switch fixed the lighting problem. The gauges are still on the fritz. I got them to work for a second by wiggling the shifter in park, and then sometimes everything starts working sparatically while the truck is running but only for a second

[davester]

That sounds like a ground and/or power problem, which generally suck to find.

[Formulabruce]

remove the bezel again, lower the tilt, put it in LOW with truck off, take out the 4 long screws that hold the cluster in, be careful not to drop. Then pull it ahead, and unplug and reset that connector and take a quick look around ( time 20 min, TOPS)

[Coby7]

I think you're having cold solder issues on the circuit board of your cluster. I've fixed at least 10 this year with the exact same problem. You say you have 4 of these trucks, so swap clusters with an other truck, if the problem follows the cluster you know where the problem lies.

[Formulabruce]

I think you're having cold solder issues on the circuit board of your cluster. I've fixed at least 10 this year with the exact same problem. You say you have 4 of these trucks, so swap clusters with an other truck, if the problem follows the cluster you know where the problem lies.

I agree with this next step in diagnosis ( Cold solder joint, have done many repairs) The cluster swap may prove a gauge, but probably nothing will be acurate.