2003-2006 Chevy instrument cluster rebuild

[Crabman]

I was having multiple issues with my instrument cluster on my sig vehicle. First the speedometer acted up, showing readings of 0-120 when driving normal speeds. I began to rely on the tach for speed then that acted up. Then I used the GPS. All the meanwhile there was a short in the cluster that would kill the battery if the truck was undriven for a few days.(OK I know I should have fixed it before it got this bad but........) What a PITA. I understand GM had boatloads of problems with Silverado clusters 2003-2006.

I found a reputable rebuilder on Ebay, removed my cluster which only takes about 10 minutes, and sent it off to be rebuilt. There are varying degrees of rebuilds for these ranging from 70 to 125.00. If you only need the stepper motors for the gauges the cheaper one will do. I of course needed the 125.00 variety because mine apparently had a power supply issue causing the short. They rebuild the cluster the same day they receive it then ship it back to you. I drove my truck for a week without the cluster until it came back, (made sure my gas tank was full!) its fully rebuilt and now works fine and even looks like new. So if yours is acting up there is hope without having to go spend 5 to 7 hundred at a dealer for a new cluster.

[Seann45]

I had mine done almost 2 years ago... used a place called US Speedo. The stepper motors are prone to going bad so I had them replace all of em.. then replace all the dash lights and put a new custom faceplate and pointers on. all for less than half of what the dealer wanted just to replace the gauge cluster.

http://www.usspeedo.com/

[Crabman]

Supposedly all my stepper motors were replaced with the "X25 168 UPDATED STEPPER MOTORS" , and the bulbs were also replaced along with the power drain issue being addressed. My lens was cracked so for anther 45.00 they replaced that for me as well. There seem to be a bunch of outfits that rebuild them now so the failure rate must be very high on the original clusters.

[edatlanta]

Wasn't there a recall on these from GM? I seem to remember there was, but I don't remember the details. Might be worth asking your dealer to check it.

[edatlanta]

Document ID# 2037454


Subject: Special Coverage Adjustment-Instrument Panel Cluster Gauge Needle Functions #07187A - (11/08/2007)

[Terry]

Yep -- BIL had the same issue, but with his Blazer. So far my 2004 Silverado is good...dont jinx me!

[hammer]

That issue is covered under a extended warranty i was at the GM garage last week for a different issue and they printed all of the extended warranties and recalls off for me. My truck is covered for the cluster untill 2014

[dg1971]

That issue is covered under a extended warranty i was at the GM garage last week for a different issue and they printed all of the extended warranties and recalls off for me. My truck is covered for the cluster untill 2014

Hammer, what year is your truck? I have also heard of this extended warranty. So far, my 2005 hasn't had this problem.

[hammer]

my truck is an 04

[Crabman]

I received the "extended" warranty on the cluster in the mail from GM a couple years ago , unfortunately they only extended it to 70,000 miles which is no help.




From the GM document edatlanta referred to:


Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2003 or 2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV or Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, or Tahoe; or GMC Sierra, Yukon, or Yukon XL vehicle, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some of these vehicles could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge needles may stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and the fuel gauge.

Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has this condition.

What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with a special coverage that extends the warranty on the instrument panel cluster for the condition described above. If this condition occurs on your 2003 or 2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, or Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, or Tahoe; GMC Sierra, Yukon, or Yukon XL within 7 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge.

[dg1971]

Thanks Hammer and Crabman....it will not do me any good either as I am at 90K but the other info will help if my 2005 ever has a problem...my daughters '05 Escalade had this problem but they traded it I'm and sure they took a hickie with the guage problem.

[Crabman]

Thanks Hammer and Crabman....it will not do me any good either as I am at 90K but the other info will help if my 2005 ever has a problem...my daughters '05 Escalade had this problem but they traded it I'm and sure they took a hickie with the guage problem.

DG, I hope you and tafische will never need the rebuild. There`s nothing like a backseat full of Scouts looking at the speedometer and asking, "are we really going 120 MPH?"

[Seann45]

DG, I hope you and tafische will never need the rebuild. There`s nothing like a backseat full of Scouts looking at the speedometer and asking, "are we really going 120 MPH?"

Yes now SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN...LOL

[dg1971]

Worse than that, imagine your mother-in-law noticing that 120mph speedometer....you know, when you have a properly functioning speedometer and are doing 60, at the angle she is sitting, it always appears to her that you are doing 80.....and there ain't no convincing her otherwise.

[Crabman]

Worse than that, imagine your mother-in-law noticing that 120mph speedometer....you know, when you have a properly functioning speedometer and are doing 60, at the angle she is sitting, it always appears to her that you are doing 80.....and there ain't no convincing her otherwise.

Fortunately my MIL or FIL have never seen my speedometer. From the front or back seat. :hihi:

[md2lgyk]

Wasn't there a recall on these from GM? I seem to remember there was, but I don't remember the details. Might be worth asking your dealer to check it.

Yes, there was a recall. Similar thing happened to the cluster on my 2005 Sierra. The recall was for 2003 and 2004 models, but the dealer fixed mine anyway.