Instrument Cluster Help

poorboy · January 18, 2008

We'll I've got a 2002 1500 that the cluster is slowly going out on. I've looked on line and contacted the dealer so the cost is going to be around $250 for a 2500 cluster with trans temp gauge.

A couple of questions...

1. If the dealer does the programing it will be stored in the vehicle service history...is this is good thing?

2. If I purchase it off ebay they will reprogram it to whatever I tell them (it will be exactly what is on the old odo when it is removed from my truck). I'm not looking to pull a fast one here.

I'll be selling the truck in about 2-5 years...anything to worry about not going through the dealer on this????

Draenor · January 18, 2008

Yes the dealer is supposed to report the service. You could buy the Ebay ones, which are pricey. Both would work. I know your truck is a year off of this but you could try the TSB

poorboy · January 18, 2008

Yea, I know about the TSB but this is a different issue with a cold solder joint and not the stepper motors covered in the 2003-2004 IPs.

I guess my main concern is if I purchase one off the web (for much less than the dealer will sell one) is it going to bite me in the butt when I try to sell it.

What if the milage stored in the ECU is slightly off from the mileage on the ODO? Is the mileage and hours stored anywhere other than the ODO?

Again, I'm not looking to misrepresent mileage but I'm thinking if the ODO says 91,012 and the OBD says 91,020...am I in for trouble? or is this even a valid concern?

dlstewart01 · January 18, 2008

Yea, I know about the TSB but this is a different issue with a cold solder joint and not the stepper motors covered in the 2003-2004 IPs.

I guess my main concern is if I purchase one off the web (for much less than the dealer will sell one) is it going to bite me in the butt when I try to sell it.

What if the milage stored in the ECU is slightly off from the mileage on the ODO? Is the mileage and hours stored anywhere other than the ODO?

Again, I'm not looking to misrepresent mileage but I'm thinking if the ODO says 91,012 and the OBD says 91,020...am I in for trouble? or is this even a valid concern?

For the 100th time, Mileage is O_N_L_Y stored in the cluster.

Don

Draenor · January 18, 2008

Yea, I know about the TSB but this is a different issue with a cold solder joint and not the stepper motors covered in the 2003-2004 IPs.

I guess my main concern is if I purchase one off the web (for much less than the dealer will sell one) is it going to bite me in the butt when I try to sell it.

What if the milage stored in the ECU is slightly off from the mileage on the ODO? Is the mileage and hours stored anywhere other than the ODO?

Again, I'm not looking to misrepresent mileage but I'm thinking if the ODO says 91,012 and the OBD says 91,020...am I in for trouble? or is this even a valid concern?

For the 100th time, Mileage is O_N_L_Y stored in the cluster.

Don

Its more like 1000..........

Bish · January 18, 2008

Yea, I know about the TSB but this is a different issue with a cold solder joint and not the stepper motors covered in the 2003-2004 IPs.

I guess my main concern is if I purchase one off the web (for much less than the dealer will sell one) is it going to bite me in the butt when I try to sell it.

What if the milage stored in the ECU is slightly off from the mileage on the ODO? Is the mileage and hours stored anywhere other than the ODO?

Again, I'm not looking to misrepresent mileage but I'm thinking if the ODO says 91,012 and the OBD says 91,020...am I in for trouble? or is this even a valid concern?

If is is caused by a cold solder joint, the fix might be simple. I put an Escalade cluster in my Tahoe. After a few years, the odometer would dim and eventually go out and then come back. I pulled the cluster and removed the back and it was obvious where the problem was as you could see the discoloration around the joint. A quick touch of the soldering iron and it worked for years until I traded it in.

Regarding programming the mileage, I asked my dealer where they sent their clusters to and they told me what speedo/radio shop. I called them and arranged a time. I pulled into the parking lot, pulled my old dash, brought the two in together and then installed the new with the exact mileage. The speedo shop told me the only way they would do it for an end user was if I brought both clusters in so they could verify the mileage.

Still have the stock cluster from an 01 Tahoe if anybody wants it.

poorboy · January 18, 2008

Thanks for the input. I still find it hard to believe that the mileage of the vehicle can be changed by simply swaping a cluster....makes you wonder about buying a used vehicle with no way to verify that the mileage is correct.

unit731 · January 18, 2008

For the 100th time, Mileage is O_N_L_Y stored in the cluster.

Don

OK, I had a similiar post for replacing my 4 gauge with a 6 gauge. I accept your answer.

Now, beyond this. If done by dealer or legit odom garage, will anything show up on codes?

The reason I ask, is that my 1990, I replaced a bulb in cluster years ago. And later for something else, mechanic stated that a code showed up that something was done to speedo cable or some such wording. And the computer module must be much less sophisticated on a 1990 1500.

Bish · January 18, 2008

For the 100th time, Mileage is O_N_L_Y stored in the cluster.

Don

OK, I had a similiar post for replacing my 4 gauge with a 6 gauge. I accept your answer.

Now, beyond this. If done by dealer or legit odom garage, will anything show up on codes?

The reason I ask, is that my 1990, I replaced a bulb in cluster years ago. And later for something else, mechanic stated that a code showed up that something was done to speedo cable or some such wording. And the computer module must be much less sophisticated on a 1990 1500.

No codes stored on mine when I swapped clusters. I use a laptop program to read codesThought about putting the original cluster with 30K (instead of 205K) back in before I traded it in but I'm just not the lying criminal type.

chipjumper · January 21, 2008

I went to a local Chevy dealership last week and they swapped out my cluster for no charge, even with 160,000 miles on the truck! The manager said that it is BS that GM put a limit of 7years/70,000miles for the problem since most cases start after 70,000 miles. I'm glad to see that the idea of "customer service" still exists in some businesses.

thecraft · January 21, 2008

For the 100th time, Mileage is O_N_L_Y stored in the cluster.

Don

OK, I had a similiar post for replacing my 4 gauge with a 6 gauge. I accept your answer.

Now, beyond this. If done by dealer or legit odom garage, will anything show up on codes?

The reason I ask, is that my 1990, I replaced a bulb in cluster years ago. And later for something else, mechanic stated that a code showed up that something was done to speedo cable or some such wording. And the computer module must be much less sophisticated on a 1990 1500.

Your mechanic is BS'ing you, you don't even have a speedometer cable.

rogerf · January 21, 2008

I went to a local Chevy dealership last week and they swapped out my cluster for no charge, even with 160,000 miles on the truck! The manager said that it is BS that GM put a limit of 7years/70,000miles for the problem since most cases start after 70,000 miles. I'm glad to see that the idea of "customer service" still exists in some businesses.

You're lucky in this case. I just went through the same problem with my '04 Impala. GM first claimed no problems with the Impala clusters, then agreed to fix mine which was absolutely worthless to me as I had already sent the cluster to a rebuilder before they got me an answer. Afterwards, they would not reimburse for this repair as it was not done through a GM dealer. Too bad for them, they most likely lost my business over this stunt.

TOTALRECALL · January 21, 2008

If I could go a little different direction if you got your answer ok - I just got a 2001 cluster off ebay with a trans temp guage to put in my 1500 series that doesn't have the trans temp guague. Looking at the replacement cluster today after opening the package, it looks like it all comes off in modules or sections.

Is there any way to just take the guage out of the new cluster and put in the 1500 cluster or swap the odomoters? Don't know exactley where the milage is stored in the circuit board or chip somewhere?

Thanks for your thoughts on how to adapt what I have already

Mike

Justin Lee · January 24, 2008

I went to a local Chevy dealership last week and they swapped out my cluster for no charge, even with 160,000 miles on the truck! The manager said that it is BS that GM put a limit of 7years/70,000miles for the problem since most cases start after 70,000 miles. I'm glad to see that the idea of "customer service" still exists in some businesses.

What Dealership was this and is anywhere close to the southwest.

poorboy · January 24, 2008

Well...I bit the bullet and bought a 2500 cluster off of ebay for 150.00. It's got ablout 70,000 miles, my truck has 90,000.

So, being the good guy I am I contact a GM dealer here in St. louis and talk with the service manager...(Begin Rant) I told him that I bought a salvage unit and would like his service tech to reprogram it for $$$. He went on about only if it's the exact replacement unit...blah, blah, blah....I told him that it was a cluster from a 2500 with trans temp, his exact comment was if my truck didn't come with a trans temp it's not going to work...I poitely disagreed and asked him if he was interested in doing the reprogram...he said probably not and asked why I didn't just bring it to them to have the unit "fixed"...they send them to Phoniex and it would have cost me 350.00...he then goes on to warn me to be very careful about "fudging odo readings" and that I could end up in jail...WTH! I'm trying to do the right thing here dufass...Who do these people think they are....and you wonder why most people cringe when they have to deal with the dealer network...(End Rant)

Anybody know anyone in the St. Louis area with a scan tool that can help a honest person out. I figure it's worth a case of brown pop.