How To Reset Your GM Instrument Cluster
It's frustrating if the instrument cluster in your GM car or truck starts acting up. Fortunately, there's a way to reset it, which is much easier than taking apart the instrument cluster and trying to repair it yourself. We'll walk through those steps and the options for fixing your GM instrument cluster in this article.
Why Do I Need To Reset My GM Instrument Cluster?
Some instrument clusters are all electronic and get information from sensors and the onboard computer. This information includes the vehicle's speed, engine RPM, fuel level, engine temperature, oil pressure, and other metrics. Occasionally sensors or electronics malfunction due to a discharged battery, blown fuse, or a bad electrical connection. When this happens, it's possible to reset or recalibrate the instrument cluster in a few steps.
If you'd like more information on why instrument clusters go crazy, check out this article.
Steps For Resetting Your GM Instrument Cluster
On most GM vehicles, you can use the following steps to reset the instrument cluster:
NOTE: The following process is not guaranteed to be effective. If it doesn't work for you, our customer service team does not have any further information.
If you try this process and it fails, please check out our cluster repair services. We can repair most GM instrument clusters going back 30+ years.
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First, turn your headlights on and off repeatedly. You can remove the headlights' 15 amp fuse if you're worried about wearing out the headlight bulbs. Just check your owner's manual to confirm which fuse or fuses are for the lights.
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Insert the key into the ignition. Leave it in the first position.
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While the key is in the ignition, press and hold the instrument panel reset button located next to the odometer or fuel gauge.
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While pressing the reset button, turn the headlights on. Then turn the key to the second position but do not start the car. These steps need to be done sequentially while holding down the reset button.
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With the ignition key in the second position, continue holding down the reset button and turn the headlights off, then on and off again. This must be done within five seconds of turning the key to the second position.
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Next, release the reset button and then push it three times. This step should initiate a reset of the gauges, which will perform a diagnostic test. Pushing the reset button three times will cycle the instrument cluster through this reset process three times.
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Finally, turn the vehicle completely off and remove the key.
If the first process didn't work after several attempts, there's an alternative method you can try:
- Insert the ignition key and turn it to the second position but do not start the vehicle.
- Press the reset button five times.
- Wait for the odometer to display information.
- Then press and hold the reset button for thirty seconds.
This process doesn't work as often as the first process, but it's worth a shot. You can also try disconnecting the battery for more than 30 minutes and see if that fixes the issues, but that's also a long shot.
What To Do If You Can't Reset Your GM Instrument Cluster
If you're not able to reset your instrument cluster, you have two options: replace the instrument cluster or have it repaired. No matter which option you chose, ISS Automotive offers a fast and easy turnaround on all orders. We will also reprogram the new or rebuilt instrument cluster with the correct VIN and mileage info from your GM car, truck, or SUV.
Contact us or give us a call at 1-800-755-5980 if you have questions or would like to know more about our services.
ISS Automotive was founded in 1949 and has over 70 years of experience distributing and remanufacturing automotive electronic and mechatronic components. We offer a limited lifetime warranty on all of our remanufactured and repaired electronic products, and we offer free shipping on orders over $99.