GM Instrument Cluster Lens [Everything You Need to Know]
The material that is used to make a GM cluster lens is a type of plexiglass. This stuff cracks and breaks very easily which makes them hard to find now. ISS Automotive makes our own lenses, but many older lenses are simply difficult to locate. For this reason, you might only be able to find a full instrument cluster replacement that comes with a cluster lense.
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What is a cluster lens?
A cluster lens is an clear piece of plastic that fits over the stock turn signal lights in the gm instrument panels.
Some people also call it a gauge lens or gm cluster lens.
How do you polish instrument cluster lens?
First, you will need to take apart the cluster.
Usually, there are four ear tabs that hold it together to the vehicle. After taking apart the four tabs, separate the two parts.
You will now need to take off the old lens and put on your new lens, just reverse the process.
Finally, remount everything and enjoy a clean lens!
The instrument panel lens is usually grey or black. If you want to paint it, you will need to sand it first before applying paint.
Some people use nail polish or clear gloss to protect it from further damage.
You should also check the lens occasionally because if it cracks there is a chance for water and moisture to get into the circuit board resulting in a damaged cluster. I recommend using clear nail polish just on the inside of the lens.
What is instrument cluster display?
Instrument Cluster Display is the numbers and letters you see when you look through the lens, it includes:
- Speedometer
- Odometer
- Fuel Gauge
- Tachometer (if equipped)
- Engine Temperature
The instrument panel lens is made out of plastic, so no matter how careful you are, it will get scratched.
How much does a cluster panel cost?
The cost of a cluster depends on your car model. On average it will be around $150-$200 dollars. Original equipment manufacturers (oem) gauges are usually more expensive than aftermarket gauges.
A vehicle with a tachometer and a fuel gauge will be more expensive than the one without.
How do you restore instrument cluster lens?
You will first need to take the lens off and clean it, once you have it all apart, put on your new lens. Now you will have to take off your old cluster display, and put on the new one. Last you will need to put it all together. Once you have put it all together turn on your car and enjoy a new cluster lens!
The bezel and lens should be the same color as the rest of the interior, if they're not you can cover it up with some black tape.
The gauge face is printed on clear film which allows light to come through it.
If the gauge face is yellowed (it's not crystal clear) you need to take off the lens and clean it with some glass cleaner, make sure you don't hurt the gauge face.
The best way to shine up your cluster lens is by using toothpaste or a non-abrasive cleaner. Just put some paste on the lens and use a paper towel to remove it.
It would help if you did this process at night or in a garage since it makes lots of bubbles when you clean your cluster lens.
Once you finish take apart all of your cluster pieces, wipe them down with an anti-bacterial soapy cloth, and reassemble everything.
It helps if you clean the lenses every six months to keep them looking new.
This way your cluster lens won't fade or fog up as it ages.
Can you repair instrument cluster?
There is a chance that you can repair the instrument cluster, however it will be cheaper if you just buy a new one. Most of the time only the cluster lens is messed up. To clean it all you need to do is take some windex and a rag, spray the rag and wipe the lens clean.
Plastic cleaner can also be used to shine up your lenses.
If it's faded or cracked you will want to buy a new cluster lens, once again the lens is usually all that needs to be replaced.
Plastic lenses are easier to break than glass, but they are cheaper and more efficient.
How much is an instrument cluster repair?
The cost of repairing your cluster will be relatively cheap, it usually will cost around $80-$100. This all depends on where you get the repair done.
Replacement clusters are usually $150-$200, just like new ones.
Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy a whole new cluster rather than replace the lens.
If you get your cluster fixed at home you will save money, but there is no warranty so if something goes wrong again you'll have spent more money.
Most of the time your cluster will be able to be repaired, but there is no guarantee.
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What does an instrument cluster do?
The cluster tells you how fast your car is going and what speed limit to stay at. It also lets you know about your other gauges such as how much fuel you have and your RPMs.
In a Chevy vehicle, you have the tachometer, oil pressure, gauges for fuel and voltage, clock, speedometer, odometer, trip counter, and the indicator lights (high beam, check engine, etc).
An instrument cluster for a Chevy vehicle is located in the center of the dashboard.
It is illuminated by interior lighting and has a light sensor on top, which adjusts it to be dark enough to see at night.
It is wired to tell the vehicle's computer what speed it is moving so that the car will adjust itself accordingly.
A Chevy truck instrument cluster is also known as a dash panel.
Read our blog post on the Silverado Instrument Cluster Not Working>
How do you get scratches out of clusters?
When you look through the lens and see scratches, all you need to do is take some acetone and a rag (or cotton ball) and rub the lens until they are gone. It is very important that you let it dry before turning your car on because acetone is flammable.
How do you clean a cluster gauge lens?
First, you need to take out the cluster gauge. Next, you will need to take off the old lens and put on your new lens, just reverse the process. Now remount everything and enjoy a new cluster lens!
A Chevy vehicle has many parts, including the tachometer, oil pressure, gauges for fuel and voltage, clock, speedometer, odometer, trip counter, and the indicator lights (high beam, check engine, etc).
The part number for the lens is 8888-1899
You can buy it straight from General Motors for $120.
The entire lens must be replaced because the wire connections are only on the lens.
A plastic lens is designed to be replaced in a cluster gauge.
If the lens is too tight, you can use a wrench to gently pull it out.
Cracked cluster lens
If your cluster lens is cracked you will need to replace it. To do this just take the old cracked piece of plastic off and put it on your new lens, just reverse the process.
If you need to replace the gauge because it is not working you will have to take apart the cluster and take out the gauge. Then you will need to replace it with a new one of the same kind, just reverse the process.
If your plastic lens is cracked then you will need to replace it. To do this just take the old cracked piece of plastic off and put it on your new lens, just reverse the process.
If you need to replace the gauge because it is not working you will have to take apart the cluster and take out the gauge. Then you will need to replace it with a new one of the same kind, just reverse the process.
The three-five Chevy cluster gauge is a term that refers to the type of gauges in your vehicle. A Chevy truck three-five cluster gauge is made up of the tachometer, oil pressure, gauges for fuel and voltage, clock speedometer, odometer trip counter, and indicator lights (high beam, check engine etc).