Repair Chevy Instrument Cluster [OEM Standards]

When your gauge cluster starts to act up, it can be a real pain. It's also unsafe.

Not only are you left with faulty gauges and lights, but you may also lose your speedometer and odometer readings. This can make driving your Chevy quite difficult.

ISS Automotive team has been rebuilding instrument clusters for over 30 years. We have expert knowledge in GM clusters, programming, testing, and more.

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How much does it cost to fix the gauge cluster?

Repair service (cluster rebuild) cost for instrument cluster is typically around $150-$300. Rapid turnaround time is 2-3 days. This depends on the cluster. We recommend replacement clusters to save you time. Companies will first ship you a cluster with a shipping label for your old cluster. Simply install the new instrument cluster and then ship back your old one.

What are the symptoms of a bad instrument cluster?

Typical symptoms will be:

• Cluster goes dead while driving and all gauges go to zero Intermittent display of certain warning lights (check engine, airbag, battery) Cluster may come back to life after it cools down (in summer or winter).
• The cluster goes dead when headlights are turned on (especially with parking lights) Cluster goes dead when windshield wipers are turned on.
• Light bulbs in clusters may flicker, dim, or go out.  Odometer and mileage indicators will show incorrect information Cluster may have a mind of its own - works fine sometimes and other times it does not work.
• The transmission temperature gauge may show the wrong temperature. The temperature needle may stick at a certain point.
• Cluster warning lights tend to stick on Clusters and may have difficulty displaying certain characters for the odometer (usually 7, 8, and 9).
• A cluster may show a "Check Engine" light with no DTCs found on the diagnostic reader. The cluster may tend to change the mileage on its own.
• Cluster may show warning lights without any reason at all Cluster may work fine in cold weather, but fail in hot temperatures Cluster may reset itself back to zero mileage.

Why is my instrument cluster not working?

A few reasons could be: A connection may have come loose from a wire connector. One of the light bulbs may have burned out. The cluster may have suffered physical damage. The printed circuit board (PCB) may have become damaged. The speedometer needle may be stuck due to corrosion.

Here is a list of common problems

• Faulty gauges
• Lights not working
• Speedometer and odometer readings lost
• Wiring issues
• Dead battery
• Failed instrument cluster
• Fuse blown
• PRNDL display not working
• Power loss

How long does it take to repair a gauge cluster?

It takes around 15 minutes to remove and replace an instrument cluster. Instrument cluster repair services are not offered at all dealerships. Some car owners are reporting that their dealer quotes them $500 for this type of repair or they give you the impression that there is no way to repair the instrument cluster and they would need to be replaced.

Click here to read: GM Instrument Cluster Repair Near Me [OEM Builds] >

Can I add a transmission temperature gauge to GM vehicles?

Older GM vehicles did not come standard with a transmission temperature gauge. If you would like to add this feature, you can install an aftermarket transmission temperature gauge. Many of these gauges come with a sensor that needs to be installed on the transmission.

Can a cluster be repaired?

Yes. In fact, it is quite common to have a failing instrument cluster. The clusters tend to go bad after a while. The most common problem is that the lights in the cluster start to flicker or go out. The other common problem is that the speedometer and odometer readings start to fail.

How do I know if I need a new instrument cluster?

The best way to find out is to have the vehicle diagnosed by a professional. Many times, the problem can be fixed by simply replacing a fuse or tightening a wire connector. If the problem is more serious, then the cluster will need to be repaired or replaced.

What causes instrument cluster failure?

Chevrolet instrument clusters fail due to different reasons.

The most common cause of failure is broken solder joints on printed circuit board (PCB) and also due to burned printed circuit board traces.

Extreme heat and cold weather conditions contribute to cluster failure as well. Little known reason for instrument clusters that show all zeros is due to faulty instrument cluster memory.

Click here to read: 2015 Chevy Tahoe DVD Player is Not Working [Best Solution] >

What does it mean faulty instrument cluster memory?

It means that the instrument cluster's memory has failed and it can't tell how fast you are driving. Instrument clusters track your speed using an odometer and it tells the computer in the car what's your current speed. Instrument cluster memory is the "brain" of your speedometer.

The speedometer needle simply reads what the odometer shows and you get to see that speed. If the instrument cluster's memory is faulty, you will have all zeros or constantly changing speed readings on your speedometer.

Can I reset my GM gauge cluster?

The instrument cluster can be reset using a jumper wire on the back of the instrument cluster. Gm instrument clusters do not have a reset button and they can't be reset without removing them. Instrument cluster memory can be reinitialized by unplugging the instrument cluster harness connector for a few minutes.

What are the common problems of the instrument cluster?

There are several common problems with instrument clusters. The most common problem with all instrument cluster types is faulty printed circuit board traces that connect electronics together inside each instrument cluster. This is the most common cause for instrument clusters to fail. The transmission temp gauge is commonly not working as well. The most common issues with tachometers on all instrument clusters are faulty tachometer pickups inside the instrument cluster.

How do you fix a cracked dash on a Tahoe?

Fixing a cracked Tahoe dash is not a hard process. There are several ways of doing it but the most popular way of fixing a cracked dash on a Tahoe is to use fiberglass resin on the cracks. The process takes about 1-2 hours to make it strong again.

Can you repair a cracked dashboard?

Yes, but only if it's not too deep. Cracks on instrument clusters can also be repaired using fiberglass resin to make the cracks stronger again.

How do you fix a crack in a plastic dashboard?

Fixing a crack in the plastic dashboard is possible by using fiberglass resin. First, clean the area around the cracks and then apply the fiberglass resin. Allow it to dry and then sand the area around the cracks smoothly. Finally, apply a new layer of resin and allow it to dry completely.

It is an easy process and it takes about 1-2 hours to fix the cracks.

How do I restore my dash pad?

If the dashboard pad on your vehicle is cracked, it's time to restore it. You can use plastic or vinyl dye or paint for this process. You can also use vinyl or leather dye for this if you like.

Why is my dash cluster not working?

There are many reasons why a dash cluster would not work. The most common reason for a speedometer to quit working is faulty odometer memory on the instrument cluster. This means that the speedometer needle simply reads what the odometer shows and you get to see that speed. If your odometer stops counting miles and your speedometer needle stays at 0, the instrument cluster memory has failed. The instrument cluster's memory is simply a chip that holds vehicle mileage and speed data. If this chip fails, it will read all zeros or constantly change the speed reading. Most instrument clusters fail because of broken solder joints on printed circuit boards. This also means that you need a new instrument cluster if the PCB is broken.

How do you repair an instrument cluster?

The instrument cluster can be repaired but only if it's not too expensive. If the instrument cluster is broken and the PCB inside is fine, you can get it repaired or buy a new one. This type of instrument cluster is more expensive than usual. Most instrument clusters fail because of broken solder joints on printed circuit boards. This means that the instrument cluster will not work until you replace it. If an instrument cluster is completely dead, it's the faulty printed circuit board that's causing this. The instrument cluster's printed circuit board is the most common part to fail.

Can I replace my instrument cluster?

Replacing the instrument cluster is possible but it depends on your vehicle. Some vehicles can have both instrument cluster and speedometer replaced but you need to make sure that the replacement speedometer works with your vehicle. If not, you will have the same problem again.

Do instrument clusters need to be programmed?

Yes, instrument clusters need to be programmed for all kinds of information like speed and gas levels. After replacement, if your vehicle does not work as it used to work it means that the instrument cluster needs to be programmed. If you replace an instrument cluster and your vehicle speed is not right or your gas level it's not right, this means that the instrument cluster needs to be programmed for your vehicle. Without programming, you will have a speedometer reading the wrong speed, mileage, and fuel level will be incorrect as well.

What would cause my dash cluster to stop working?

There are several reasons why a dash cluster may not work. If your speedometer, gas level, and mileage stop working, this means that the instrument cluster's memory has failed. The instrument cluster's memory is a chip that holds vehicle mileage and speed data. If this chip fails it will read all zeros or constantly change the speed reading. Most instrument clusters fail because of broken solder joints on printed circuit boards. This means that you need a new instrument cluster if the PCB is broken.

How do you know if a cluster is bad?

When your speedometer or gas level stops working, there is a problem with the instrument cluster. If an entire cluster fails and ticks like crazy when you start the car, this means that it is most likely a faulty printed circuit board. If the speedometer needle stays at 0 and the odometer reads all zeros, this means that the problem is with the instrument cluster's memory.

Cost for instrument cluster repair services?

The cost of instrument cluster repair services can be expensive. If your instrument cluster is completely dead, it's the faulty printed circuit board that's causing this. The instrument cluster's printed circuit board is the most common part to fail. The average cost for instrument cluster repair services is $200.00.

How is repair service done?

Instrument cluster repair services are done by replacing the broken parts with new ones. If the instrument cluster is completely dead, it's the faulty printed circuit board that's causing this. The instrument cluster's printed circuit board is the most common part to fail. Replacing the PCB is the only way to fix a dead instrument cluster.