Changing Instrument Clusters

[chanswork]

For those of you that have changed out your instrument clusters on your trucks, I know it's only a 10 minute process. My concern is if this is so easy, people can lie about the mileage on their vehicles when they are sold.

 

There has to be some type of security measure GM put into their vehicles to show actual vehicle mileage. If you had 100,000 miles on your vehicle and then change the cluster out with a used cluster with only 50,000 miles, the value of the vehicle will be significantly increased......This just doesn't sound right for it to be so easy.

 

Can someone enlighten me on this issue?

[Shaners]

The DMV should have the original records for mileage. (In states where inspections are required.)

[HawkeyeOC]

For those of you that have changed out your instrument clusters on your trucks, I know it's only a 10 minute process.  My concern is if this is so easy, people can lie about the mileage on their vehicles when they are sold.

 

There has to be some type of security measure GM put into their vehicles to show actual vehicle mileage.  If you had 100,000 miles on your vehicle and then change the cluster out with a used cluster with only 50,000 miles, the value of the vehicle will be significantly increased......This just doesn't sound right for it to be so easy.

 

Can someone enlighten me on this issue?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

There are ways of finding out if the odometer has been tampered with or the cluster replaced sometimes.

At least in my state (California) if the vehicle was used to begin with, the mileage had to be stated when the vehicle changed hands. Service records from dealers are recorded with mileage as well as large accidents. A lot of car manufacturers make this available online including GM. CarFax can be a great source to figure this out sometimes. It can show and alert you in many cases if a vehicle was for example sold to someone with 100,000 miles and then resold with 50k miles.

 

You really have to do your homework when you buy used vehicles for this reason! I am sure many of us know people who have rolled them back.

Buyer beware as they say!

[chanswork]

I don't mean rolling back the mileage being a problem. For a cluster change to take only 10 minutes, what's to stop someone from driving with a purchased cluster regularly and change back to their original "not so used" cluster whenever a mileage reading is to occur "smog checks, dealer services, etc".

 

Can you see the problem with a 10 minute cluster change?

[Ranger]

I'd say that the few miles gained in between inspections coupled with obvious signs of continous use would show that the mileage is off. Good thing I don't live in an Emissions state, as my Bronco's odometer (and speedometer) is dead. It's been reading about 146k for the last 2 years and probably has been through about 15k since. Been looking at some ways to fix it but the transfer case has been eating the speedo gears for some reason so I ain't gonna drop 500+ on something I barely drive. I use it for offroading mainly.

[ADDZ71]

I am sure that one of the experienced members will comment but the mileage is stored in the pcm and bcm as well as displayed on the cluster. If one were to suspect that the mileage is off a good tech could answer the question. As for buying used cars I know that personally I could tell the difference between a four year old vehicle with 50K and 100K by asking to see records; asking about tire wear; or the old standby looking at the wear on the pedals. While these may not be foolproof if you know what you are doing you should be able to see the difference between 50K and 100K. The problem is when it is 30K versus 45K on a two year old vehicle. That is harder to pick out.

[Giant]

30k as opposed to 45k in a 2yo vehicle should not be that big of a deal. whats 10-15k here or there on a truck that new with that few miles?

 

But your right, you should be able to tell once the difference in miles gets to where it might be used to hide problems. But again, there is always an exception. My 99 has 95k on it and just by looking at condition you'd swear it had less then half that.

 

Carfax, GM Vin thing, or the DMV will ALWAYS be your best bets.

[Sierra 05]

Well, this has been thrown around before. I have read that you can get a sticker to place on the door jamb with the actual milage on it. Then swap your cluster. You`ll add the two milages then have the actual total. Some states require you to do this if the speedo is not done properly.

Now, on the other hand there are two choices:

1) Pay dealer to remove and install cluster with correct mileage(either buy from them, or order online), $300 plus labor.

Or

2) I found the local shop that does it for the dealers here, and had them order the cluster. Once it was in, I drove down and removed the OEM one after showing the actual mileage and engine hours. They programmed the new one and within a total of ten minutes, I was driving down the road. Oh, by the way it is a SS cluster with red needles!!!!!!!!!!! White in daylight and black at night!!!

With #1 there is a 3 yr/36000 warranty. #2 has a 12/12000 warranty.

To each there own on this.

[asilverblazer]

I read the mileage is ONLY in the cluster and stored no where else. Its easy enough to cheat the mileage but if you get caught I think the penalties are huge.

[dlstewart01]

I am sure that one of the experienced members will comment but the mileage is stored in the pcm and bcm as well as displayed on the cluster.  If one were to suspect that the mileage is off a good tech could answer the question.  As for buying used cars I know that personally I could tell the difference between a four year old vehicle with 50K and 100K by asking to see records; asking about tire wear; or the old standby looking at the wear on the pedals.  While these may not be foolproof if you know what you are doing you should be able to see the difference between 50K and 100K.  The problem is when it is 30K versus 45K on a two year old vehicle.  That is harder to pick out.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

The mileage IS NOT stored in the pcm in full sized trucks. IT is ONLY stored in the cluster.

 

Have a great day,

 

Don

[chanswork]

I asked around from people selling used clusters....one confessed to me the used cluster was from a leased vehicle. Cluster shows 70,000 and the customer swapped it out with another one with only 30,000 and returned the lease without penalties.

 

I mean this really is a big issue when you purchase a used vehicle on dealer lots. They have lease returns all the time and those miles might not be accurate if the clusters are this easy to swap out.....I wonder if other manufacturers are as careless as GM on these things.

[Giant]

Ahhh crap.... I've got a lease truck....

 

 

/me goes to look at car fax