Instrument Cluster

fargy · September 18, 2003

I have a 2000 GMC 1500 and the instruents have been acting up

the gas gage and temp gage drops to nothing and the ABS light

comes on the seat belt light comes on while the information center is

flashing low fuel,security and battery warning. my dealer said I may

have to send the cluster in for repair any suggestions ?

tmf6902 · September 18, 2003

tell em you want a new one

fargy · September 18, 2003

It's out of waranty

100R1 · September 18, 2003

buy one off of E-bay, I saw one for $ 35.00 just this past week for a 2000 suburban

GM parts direct.com sells new ones for $ 165.00

Try this place: http://usspeedo.com/index.html

They sell for less than GM parts direct.

You will need to have the millage & hours re-set if you purchase a new or used to keep everything legal.

gmcjoe · September 18, 2003

Checkout www.partszoneonline.com

I don't have the PN for the base 1500 cluster, but it sounds like it is a great time to get an Escalade or Denali cluster with the trans temp and 120MPH speedo

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/00gmc/clusters.htm

Joe

OUMike · September 18, 2003

Definatly. I love the looks of the H2 cluster.

fargy · September 18, 2003

Thanks to all you guys , I'll start checking in to some of these

suggestions. How or were can I get a replacment speedo set

so I'm legal ?

gmcjoe · September 18, 2003

Thanks to all you guys , I'll start checking in to some of these
suggestions. How or were can I get a replacment speedo set

so I'm legal ?

Buy a new cluster and have a local speedo repair shop 'transfer' your mileage or use the 'door jamb' decal I mention on this page.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/00gmc/clusters.htm

Both are considered legal as this is what dealers do when they need to replace these units.

Personally, I'd pay the $50-$100 to have the mileage 'transferred' that way there are no hassles when/if you sell the truck.

fargy · September 18, 2003

If I find one with a trans temp gage since I don't have one now

how do I hook it up ? Thank's again to all that replied to my problem

MCourson · September 18, 2003

Just plug it in like you would a normal cluster and the trans temp guage will work.

Shaners · September 19, 2003

If the problem isn't the cluster itself, then it could very well be the BCM (Body Control Mudule). If that is the case, then a new cluster will act the same...

fargy · September 19, 2003

Thank you Shaners for bringing that up, the thought crossed my mind

that replacing the cluster might not fix my problem . What and where is

the BCM (Body Control Mudule) and what do you suggest I do to

pinpoint the problem. Thanks

Shaners · September 19, 2003

Thank you Shaners for bringing that up, the thought crossed my mind
that replacing the cluster might not fix my problem . What and where is

the BCM (Body Control Mudule) and what do you suggest I do to

pinpoint the problem. Thanks

I don't know for sure, but I would think the dealer could test the BCM for you...

I would ask the dealer that checked out your truck if they checked the BCM and if they didn't I would ask them why????

There is a good chance they checked it before they confirmed it was the cluster, but I would check with them before I spent the money on a new cluster.

I just don't want to see you get screwed, and having to buy parts you don't need...

fargy · September 19, 2003

I had the dealership run there scanner on my truck and with all the error

codes that was there they said it was a lost communication with

cluster problem

twavor · September 19, 2003

fargy,

With the problems you describe, most likelyit will be a cluster. Most likely the tech hooked up the Tech 2 and found the codes and confirmed it being a cluster that way One way or another you are going to spend money to fix it and I think you would be better off to find the parts yourself and fix it. Installing a cluster in a '00 is pretty easy if I remember correctly. The most you would have to do is take it to the Dealer to have them synchronize the cluster with the BCM, but if I remember correctly that doesn't have to be done to a truck like this. The thing that sucks is that the dealer that may have not checked it out totally correctly and so it will cost you more money in the long run, but if the dealer misdiagnosed it, they wil pass the cost on to you somehow, so I really think you'd be money ahead to try it yourself. The BCM isn't hard to replace either, it is positioned directly under the steering column, just take the panel off below the steering column, and slide it out,(this sounds much easier than it is, but it really isn't bad). Really, there is no good way to totally diagnose a BCM except by process of elimination,(even if the Service Manual says it is bad) so unless you have a test unit, I would just go ahead and try the cluster as I have seen 10 of those go bad to every one of the BCMs.