Common issues that you might face if your Chevy Silverado instrument cluster is not working. The best thing you can do is get a genuine Chevy cluster. Some possible causes may include damaged wiring, a failed sensor or gauge, or a faulty computer control module.

Some common cluster problems:

• The instrument cluster may not work at all.
• It may not be displaying the correct information.
• The lighting may be out or flickering.
• The buttons may be malfunctioning.
• The gauge needles may be stuck.

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If your Silverado instrument cluster is not working properly, there could be a number of different issues that are causing the problem. When experiencing any issues with your instrument cluster, it is important to seek out professional help or ask a repair shop. At ISS Automotive we use genuine GM clusters. We fully replace and rebuild the circuit board including solder, lights, stepper motors, and more.

Where to get a GM instrument cluster repair?

At this time we are recommending that you use ISS Automotive for GM repairs.

The reason is that we are a specialized team that has worked directly for GM for 70+ years. We service dealerships and the community in the USA and around the world. GM vehicles are our exclusive work. We are not set up to do anything but GMs, so if you go to another shop they will have no idea on how to service your vehicle. We work on ALL GM cars and light trucks from the 1940's up to date.

We also use genuine GM parts and we can source any GM car or light duty truck instrument cluster, climate controls and body control modules (BCM). Our only concern is getting your vehicle back to you working in factory spec.

We can replace your bad instrument cluster, climate controls and BCM in most cases for half the dealer cost.

 

What causes instrument cluster to stop working?

A defective instrument cluster can be caused by a variety of factors.

It mainly depends on the year and model of your vehicle. You might want to check if there are any recalls on the vehicle that will tell you more about the problems.

You can also diagnose it using a scan tool or take your vehicle to a service center. Most cars do not come with diagnostic connectors, so you might want to go for the second option.

Instrument Cluster Problems Common Repairs:

It could be as simple as a fuse - If your instrument cluster is showing incorrect readings then you will have to check the fuse for your cluster. You can easily find it by removing the instrument panel on your vehicle. It will be marked in red color and will be placed with the rest of the fuses. If your fuse is okay and if there are no blown bulbs or bad connections then you will have to check the problems elsewhere.

Check for loose connections - you might have a loose connection somewhere on the vehicle. You will have to inspect your vehicle for any loose connections between the cluster and the harness. You can also check the battery to make sure no issues.

Burned our solder or circuit - You can also check your instrument cluster wiring for any burnt out circuits, or bad connections.

Fuel sender can be in error - a bad fuel sender will cause the fuel level gauge to not work correctly. This means you will need to look at the sender and make sure it is working correctly.

Bad or failed Stepper Motor - if you have a gauge problem then the stepper motor might be in error or failed. You will need to replace the stepper motor as the best solution.

Most of the time instrument cluster problems are caused by defective part in your electronic control unit. You have to be very careful when handling this problem since you might end up damaging the circuit board. If your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic connector then it will be much easier when having to replace the cluster. You can use a scan tool to test the cluster and replace only the defective parts.

Click to read GM Cluster Repair Kit >

Frequently Asked Questions Silverado Instrument Cluster Not Working

Why did my instrument cluster stop working?

A common cause is a short somewhere in the wiring harness. This can be caused by aftermarket installation of non-OEM accessories, or a break in the wiring from wear. It is also possible for this to happen due to a defective instrument cluster, although it is more rare. Same faulty components are used in the new replacement clusters too.

The circuit board has poor soldering points. Fuse box in the wiring harness is also bad. Instrument clusters are usually only covered under warranty for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Other common problems are with the BCM which can also cause this same issue.

What are the common problems of instrument clusters?

The common ones are black displays. This is caused by a short in the circuit board somewhere causing one of the filaments to blow. If you look at the back of your instrument cluster you can see that there are three different screens. If one is dark, then the other two will still be visible, but if they are all dark then the whole screen will be black.

Another common problem is the cluster not working at all after replacement. This is caused by the replacement cluster not being programmed by the computer in your vehicle. Ignition switch is required to be on for this programming to take place. Faulty components can also cause this problem. There is a BCM and steering column control module that controls this part of the vehicle.

When you see your instrument cluster is not working, first check the fuses. Remove your instrument cluster and take it to a professional automotive shop that has experience with this type of repair. They can check your cluster and repair it in a few hours and save you lots of money.

How do you diagnose a bad instrument cluster?

First you have to be sure the cluster is getting power. You can check this by checking for 12 volts at the plug in connector under your steering column (Car off, key out of the ignition switch). Second you need to check for ground. You can do this by checking at the same plug in connector. The ground is the pin with a braided strap connected to it (Car off, key out of the ignition switch). Stepper motors and circuit boards can also be tested and bench repaired. Repair service is easy and fast.

How do you know if your dash cluster is bad?

You turn the key to the "on" position and hold it in without starting the car. If your instrument panel lights up (all three screens), then you have a defective instrument cluster. If nothing lights up on the instrument panel, then your car is grounded. Check for a good ground. If the instrument cluster still does not light up, you have a bad instrument cluster. The fuse box in most cases will have to be replaced.

Click to read GM Instrument Cluster Lens >

Can I drive my truck without the instrument cluster?

Yes, you can. If the speedo and tach do not work, then you will have to use landmarks and odometer for speed. Just one gauge (tach or speedo) working is enough to drive the vehicle. Individual gauges are not necessary to drive the vehicle. Most cars and trucks use the same style of instrument cluster. Replacing a defective instrument cluster with a new one is easy and fast. Repair service is easy and fast. General motors has made many cars and trucks with this same style of instrument, so it's no problem to find high quality used replacement clusters.

Can I upgrade my instrument cluster?

Yes you can, but it is not a simple plug and play operation. You have to find the correct chassis type first. You can do this by checking your dashboard VIN sticker. You can get the correct chassis type from All Data DIY, Repair sound database or by using the GM interchange manual. Repair shop can get the parts and install them for you, but it will be expensive. If you want to be your own mechanic, it will save money. The VIN number tells me what chassis I have so I can upgrade my instrument cluster.

I bought the wrong instrument cluster on eBay and installed it into my vehicle. The speedometer didn't work properly, so I took it out and put the old cluster back in. What can be done to fix it?

Well, I need to know what job you did before I can tell you what to do. If you just tried to put the old cluster back in, then it will be a simple swap operation. Be careful and make sure you mount the cluster straight and secure. This will save time and money as opposed to taking it out again. If you tried doing some type of wiring or repair work that is beyond the scope of this article, then you will have to take it back out and start all over. If you did some type of wiring or soldering, then you may have damaged the board. Repair service is easy and fast.

Can you swap gauge clusters?

Yes you can, but it is a difficult job. You need a donor cluster that has the same chassis type as your vehicle. This means that you also need the same instrument panel connectors. Chassis types are different for each year, make and model of GM vehicle. You can get them from All Data DIY, Repair sound database and the interchange manual. Driver information center (trip computer in the dash is non-serviceable in this vehicle). The cluster is not serviceable, only the DIC display. I found my donor cluster on eBay. This vehicle has faulty instrument panel wiring that can short out. If you swap the cluster with the vehicle on, then any faulty wiring will go to the new cluster and short it out. Repair service is easy and fast. Always disconnect the battery cables before working on any electrical wiring.

How do you reset the gauge cluster on a Silverado?

You cannot reset the gauge cluster. It will need to be replaced. Repair service is available from Repair sound database.

If the cluster is a direct replacement then it will have a wiring plug that plugs into your current one. If it is a replacement for an existing cluster then you will have to install the new wiring harness and plug.

Another option would be to swap out the cluster wiring from existing one to new cluster. You will need the service manual for this operation.

You can also purchase a replacement cluster from GM dealer.

If you are still having problems with your cluster, then you can take the vehicle to a service center for inspection. They will be able to diagnose and fix the problem for you.

How much does a gauge cluster cost?

The GM dealer will sell you one for $400. The same cluster costs $225 at All Data DIY or Repair sound database.

If the computer in your vehicle needs to be programmed then it will cost around $80. If it is failing completely and you need a replacement then it will cost around $275.

You can also get another car and use their cluster as long as it has the same chassis type. The parts department at a GM dealership can get you the cluster and install it for you. The cost will depend on how much labor they charge, but it will be expensive.

How much does it cost to repair instrument cluster?

The dealer will charge $400 for the part and $80 to program it. The cost at All Data DIY, Repair sound database or by using the GM interchange manual will be around $225 for the part, and you have to program it yourself. Repair shop can get the parts and install them for you, but it will be expensive. Instrument clusters are the hardest GM part to replace. It requires taking everything apart, removing the dash panel, instrument panel, cluster housing and more in order to get to the wiring. Cluster replacement will be expensive. Instrument cluster repair is not possible because of faulty electrical wiring for this vehicle, so it will have to be replaced.

Can you repair instrument cluster?

Yes you can repair the instrument cluster yourself. You need to remove the cluster in order to replace any parts in it. If you are not comfortable doing this job yourself, then you can take it to a repair shop for service.

The cost at Repair sound database is around $225 including the part and labor. If you get a replacement cluster from GM dealer then it will cost around $400.

If you are still having problems with your cluster, then you can take the vehicle to a service center for inspection. They will be able to diagnose and fix the problem for you.

What are the symptoms of a bad instrument cluster?

If you are having problems with your instrument cluster, then you can start by checking your fuses. If they are fine, then you will need to swap the cluster with a donor. If it is still not working after that, then you can try swapping out your instrument panel harness from the donor. If it is still not working then the computer in your vehicle may need to be programmed or replaced with a new one.

You can contact a repair shop to do the job for you. You can also take your vehicle to a service center and let them diagnose it for you.

If you have already replaced the cluster and it does not work, then you will need a replacement.

The dealer or Repair sound database can get you a replacement cluster for your vehicle. If you prefer, you can get it from another car with the same model and chassis type.

Are there any recalls on a 2007 GMC Yukon?

GMC yukon vehicle is not involved in any recalls. There is a service action on the 2007 model that involves replacing the passenger frontal air bag inflator. If you are experiencing problems with your vehicle, then you should contact GM dealer directly.

If the dealer is unable to fix the problem for you or you are still having problems with your vehicle, then you can take it to a service center for inspection. They will be able to fix the problem for you.

You can contact GM dealer for more information on your model vehicle. You can also contact the service manager at your local repair shop or service center to find out more about this service action.

If you are having problems with your vehicle, then you should contact GM dealer for assistance. You can also take your vehicle to a service center and let the technicians inspect it for you.

Does GMC have any recalls?

There is a service campaign on the 2007 GMC yukon that involves replacing the passenger frontal air bag inflator. There is also a recall on 2014 Sierra HD about the air bag inflators.

If your GMC yukon is experiencing problems, then you should contact GM dealer directly. They are more than happy to help you with any problems you are experiencing.

There is no recall on GMC Yukon vehicle. There is a service action for the 2007 model that involves replacing the passenger frontal air bag inflator. If you are experiencing problems with your vehicle, then you should contact GM dealer directly.

You can also have your vehicle inspected at a service center. They will be more than happy to help you fix the problem with your vehicle.

How do I reset my GMC instrument cluster?

First you will have to disconnect the positive cable of the battery. Then, you will have to wait for at least 30 seconds before reconnecting it. Once the cable has been connected then you will have to turn on the ignition of your vehicle, and after that start it.

You can also use a scan tool to check your cluster and replace the bad parts. If you need help, then you can take it to a repair shop for service.

If you are still having problems with your cluster, then you can take your vehicle to a service center for inspection. They will be able to diagnose and fix the problem for you.

If your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic connector then it will be much easier when having to replace the cluster. You can use a scan tool to test the cluster and replace only the defective parts.