Instrument Cluster Options

Skip Talker · January 27, 2008

So my 04 Z71 had the tacho go out sevearl months a go and I thought I could live with it. Now my speedo went out. Can't live with that with all the driving I do. Have over 160K on the odometer so the warranty route is out.

I couldn't find it with the search option but has someone listed my options of replacing?

When it does get replaced does the odometer get reset? I was looking forward to seeing 234,567.8 on it one day.

dlstewart01 · January 27, 2008

So my 04 Z71 had the tacho go out sevearl months a go and I thought I could live with it. Now my speedo went out. Can't live with that with all the driving I do. Have over 160K on the odometer so the warranty route is out.

I couldn't find it with the search option but has someone listed my options of replacing?

When it does get replaced does the odometer get reset? I was looking forward to seeing 234,567.8 on it one day.

The only place mileage is kept is in the cluster. You will have to get a speedo shop to reprogram your new cluster with the correct mileage. Most times they require both clusters to do this.

The Dealer can replace it and get it programed for a BUNCH of money, or you can get one from e-bay and get it programed your self.

The best way is to get one from e-bay with the trans temp gage. Your truck is already wired for this. It is plug and play.

Have a good one,

Don

fasterthanbrian · January 27, 2008

Looks like this is common, my 03 has 87k and the speedo went. Took it to the dealer yesterday, $750 to replace it, ouch.

I'll look on ebay too, maybe we can try to out bid each other .

How much should we be paying for a new cluster?

How hard are they to install? (compared to maybe a stereo installation, similar?)

And should they be reprogrammed before installation or can we have it done after?

Dont mean to hijack, but it looks like we are chasing the same goal.

Thanks, Jim

dlstewart01 · January 27, 2008

I bought one from e-bay new no miles with the trans temp gage for 249.00. My truck was also new with no miles so I did not need to get programed. They can be programed in or out of the truck. Most speedo shops require the old cluster to verify miles.

It takes all of 15 minuits to change. Pull plastic bezel from dash. Two screws on each side unplug, plug new one in, screw down. pop bezel back in place.

When I found out that the milage is only kept in the cluster and how easy they are to change, and how many are on e-bay. I will never trust a used vehicles milage again.

Don

Skip Talker · January 27, 2008

Just looked at EBAY, I see what ya mean. One guy states he'll put what ever mileage you want on it.

How about that cluster repair for $95 and a 7 year warranty?

Is there a way to tell which clusters are good, meaning has Chevy fixed the problem or if I buy a new one it will just go bad again in a few years?

dlstewart01 · January 27, 2008

Just looked at EBAY, I see what ya mean. One guy states he'll put what ever mileage you want on it.

How about that cluster repair for $95 and a 7 year warranty?

Is there a way to tell which clusters are good, meaning has Chevy fixed the problem or if I buy a new one it will just go bad again in a few years?

Thet say they have improved the stepper motors and I guess they have, but who knows.

Don

helomechs · January 28, 2008

HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 03' SILVERADO,

TURNS OUT THE "STEPPER MOTORS" WERE DEFECTIVE UPT TO ABOUT 06? THEY GO OUT EARLY. THE NEW "GENERATION 4 STEPPER MOTORS" CAN BE BOUGHT ON EBAY FOR ABOUT 7$ EA. OR A WHOLE SET (HIGHLY RECOMMEND REPLACING ALL) FOR ABOUT 40$ I AM BY NO MEANS A SUPER GREAT MECHANIC AND I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE MINE WITH ZERO PROBLEMS. YOU WILL NEED TO BUY A SOLDIER WHICK, AVAILABLE AT RADIO SHACK TO PULL THE OLD SOLDIER OF THE BACK OF THE MOTORS THEN POP NEW ONE IN AND SOLDIER, EASY AS THAT.

ON EBAY THEY SAY A BUNCH OF STUFF LIKE "YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL COMPUTER TO REPOROGRAM NEEDLE POSITION", NOT NECESSARILY TRUE. WHAT I DID WAS AFTER REPLACING MOTORS I PLUGGED UNIT INTO TRUCK, TURNED KEY ON THEN OFF, SO ALL THE NEEDLE SETTLED BACK AT "ZERO" THEN I REASSEMBLED UNIT AND CAREFULLY PUSHED NEEDLES BACK ON POINTING AT ZERO. I CHECKED MYSELF ON ONE OF THOSE RADAR THINGS THEY PARK ON THE ROAD SOMETIMES AND I WAS DEAD ON WHAT IT SAID SO DONT BELEIVE THE HYPE, YOU CANT DO IT YOURSELF. ITS EASY AND WAY LESS $$$$. PLUS YOU DONT NEED TO REPROGRAM YOUR MILIEGE AND STUFF.

IF YOUR INTERESTED I CAN EMAIL YOU DETAILS ON DISASSEMBLY ETC. HOPE THIS HELPS! LOOK UP "STEPPER MOTOR" ON EBAY TO FIND SOME.

YOU CANEVEN BUY AN EXTRA MOTOR AND PUT IT IN THE TRANS TEMP SLOT, LIKE ON THE SS... I HAVENT DONE THIS YET CAUSE I HAVENT GOT $$$ TO BUY CLUSTER FACE AND DONT KNOW WHERE TO GET ONE NEEDLE FORM, BUT IT SOUNDS SLIKE ONCE A MOTOR IS IN THE SLOT JUST ADD A CLUSTER FACE AND NEEDLE AND INSTANT TRANS TEMP ON ANY TRUCK.

I WOULDNT GO FOR THESE REPAIR GUYS, THEY CHARGE A WHOLE LOT MORE AND DOING A CLUSTER IS JUST LIKE A STEREO, ONE PLUG 3-4SCREWS NO PROB. ALL SNAPS APART EASILY TOO. NEEDLES COME RIGHT OFF IT FEELS LIKE YOU'LL BREAK THEM BUT IF YOU JUST WEDGE YOUR FINGERS UNDER THEM AND STEADY PULL STRAIGHT OUT NO RPOB, ONCE THEY COME OFF THE FIRST TIME ITS NOT AS BAD THE SECOND. I ALSO HEAR THE BULBS GO OUT FREQUENTLY TOO AND YOU SHOULD REPLACE THESE AT SAME TIME, HAVENT FOUND STOCK ONES YET, THEY SELL MANY COLOR LED BULBS ON EBAY IF YOUR INTO THAT. I JUST WANTED PLAIN WHITE HAVENT FOUND THEM YET..

fasterthanbrian · January 29, 2008

huh, the dealership told me you couldnt change just the motor, you have to replace the entire cluster. i did see those motors on ebay, makes sense. I just shelled out a couple bills for the SS cluster, its in the mail.

I am wondering where to go for the reprogramming. I imagine the dealership would be the most expensive.

Any ideas or how much it may cost to reprogram so I dont get ripped off? $50-ish?

mattro · January 29, 2008

Helpful hint....use a fork to remove needles.

Skip Talker · January 30, 2008

Yes I'm interested in the details. Do you have something formal all ready done? I'm sure others would be interested too. I'm an electronic geek, I have a solder sucker that should do the job.

Are all the motors the same?

Shawn84 · January 30, 2008

now mine didn't go out, but i got a letter back in august after i bought my truck used from GM stating that the instrument clusters were recalled. Have any of you tried getting it replaced for free by a dealer? I say this only because my letter says regardless of millage/year.

Skip Talker · January 30, 2008

now mine didn't go out, but i got a letter back in august after i bought my truck used from GM stating that the instrument clusters were recalled. Have any of you tried getting it replaced for free by a dealer? I say this only because my letter says regardless of millage/year.

WTF My letter said 70,000 miles, I'm all ready way past that.

kshuart · January 30, 2008

I got my cluster from this place: http://www.aaellc.com/

They programmed my mileage for me. Price was $225 including shipping both ways. I upgraded to an Escalade cluster for $325. Give them a call. They were very nice and helpful with all of the questions I had.

poorboy · January 31, 2008

Guy, please think about this very carefully...I'm going through this with my 2002 right now. Here is where I'm at in the process.

Bought an 01-02 HD (trans temp) salvage cluster off of ebay for 139.00 shipped. Mileage was 20,000 less than what I really have on truck. My plan was to contact a dealer to have the mileage reprogramed...not so fast...no dealer will touch it. On top of that the cluster I purchased had a bad backlight, different color needles, and stains on the clear cover.

The person I bought it from is going to swap it...hopefully with a unit that is in better condition...he won't give money back.

If I had to do it again...I would first pressure the local dealer to good will exchange for a portion of the repair cost. If this doesn't work...then purchase a reman cluster off of ebay that the seller will reprogram before it is delivered. $250.00 is a fair price for an HD cluster...if you can find one with close to the same miles then get that one. If you have to have it programed you're going to have to send it out and the least amount that will cost you is $150.00.

Be careful...it's easy to change but that's where the easy part stops.

fasterthanbrian · February 1, 2008

I purchased a brand new cluster (not refurbished and I dont need to send my core back) from an SS and I'm still waiting for it to arrive (ebay $250). I went to the dealer yesterday and they confirmed that they cannot reprogram mileage but referred me to a speedo shop that will - certified and legit. I called the speedo shop and they will reprogram it for $45, not too bad. Once i get this all complete I will post the final cost/issues/etc.

About the whole ebay guy setting your mileage to any mileage you say. Federal law on odometers (Title 49, Ch327) says that ANYONE can service, repair, or replace an odometer of a motor vehicle. Doesnt say you need to have a license to set the mileage. It does say that you can't set the mileage to a different mileage than the car has unless you set it to zero and place a service sticker on the door. You should always check service records/oil change stickers/etc before you buy a car.