Instrument Cluster issue

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For the last few months I’ve been having off and on problems with the instrument cluster in my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE. At times the gauges work, and at times they don’t work at all. I’ve been told it was a fried circuit board and also that it’s just the stepper motor. It is also making an odd clicking/grinding noise when the needles on the gauges start to move, both in on and run positions. The noise continues endlessly when idling. Any idea what could be causing this? I’d like to know if it’s just a motor that needs replaced or if it’s the whole cluster.