instrument panel failures

[Boog]

I've been told these are common on the Burbs and Tahoes in the 2002 to 2005 model years. Factory recall at one time? I'm looking at a 2004 Burb. Nice truck, low miles and all but the owner is replacing the entire instrument panel because the original one shorted out. Apparently the power spike also blew the headlamps out too. He said a new one is $300+ and he's trying a used one. I'm not committed on it. I am curious if this is a common problem and if there really was a recall on these. And is there a time limit to get a vehicle repaired for a recall issue?
Sure would be a shame for this thing to shortout while parked in the garage in the middle of the night and catch fire. Know what I mean?

[gregory5000]

Yep I do not have all the info you need, someone that does will chime in. But there have been a lot of issues with those.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Boog

I've been told these are common on the Burbs and Tahoes in the 2002 to 2005 model years. Factory recall at one time? I'm looking at a 2004 Burb. Nice truck, low miles and all but the owner is replacing the entire instrument panel because the original one shorted out. Apparently the power spike also blew the headlamps out too. He said a new one is $300+ and he's trying a used one. I'm not committed on it. I am curious if this is a common problem and if there really was a recall on these. And is there a time limit to get a vehicle repaired for a recall issue?
Sure would be a shame for this thing to shortout while parked in the garage in the middle of the night and catch fire. Know what I mean?

A uesd one WILL NOT work, A new one or rebuild yours are the best options.

Yes there is a extended warranty from GM.................for failures of the stepper motors

Some customers of all 2003-2004 model year and certain U.S. 2005 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles have reported that one or more of the instrument panel (IP) cluster gauges stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and fuel gauge. Special Coverage Adjustment This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 7 years or 70,000 miles (110,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

Dealers are to replace the instrument panel cluster after the condition has been verified. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For verified failures between 70,001 miles (110,001 km) and 80,000 miles (130,000 km) on U.S. vehicles, dealers are to provide the customer with an instrument panel cluster (IPC) only. Any additional costs, including labor to replace the instrument panel cluster, will be the responsibility of the customer. Dealers are responsible for the return of the customer's IPC back to the Electronic Service Center.

A shorted cluster may not be covered.

There are several places around me that rebuilds them for around $200, I think someone on Ebay does it also.

A dealer will charge around $100 just for a flash, A new one will require this on top of the $300 for the cluster. So I would have it rebuilt

[JohnC]

Very common issue! Well for the stepper motors, not for an electrical short issue. I am on my 3rd cluster in my 03 Sierra 1500HD, and it is messing up now! The good news is that this time it is just my oil pressure gauge so at least I know how fast I'm going!

[Boog]

yeah thanks guys. I've found a long list of complaints with some of the 2003-2005 trucks regarding these instrument panel failures and electrical problems. Wow. And I've not heard anything of it till now.
I may rethink buying anything for another year or two. Maybe the '06 has a better setup. ?

[Josh]

Late 03 to early 04 have the most problems. Between me and Liz we have one of each. I have replaced the speedometers in both and now the tach is acting up in my burb. I need to find the info again but there is a company selling just the stepper motors and it's a simple desolder and replace job to repair them. Most of them are now out of the 7/70 extended service policy.

I would be wary of one that "shorted out" and fried headlights etc. as that is not a common problem nor one I have seen before. Plenty of 00-06 Burbs, Yukons, and Tahoes out there, no reason to settle for one with issues.

[clay68c10]

If it's just the stepper motors, it's not a big deal to replace them. Just $40 and some careful soldering.
If there's some weird short, it may be one to avoid.

[Boog]

Well he's tried 2 different reman'd clusters and its' still not right. Gets more new messages displayed. Garage said it's ground wire and blown fuse problems. Glad I dropped that one off my radar. Feel bad for him. His truck is past the age and mileage limit so no dealer help. At this point I'm not sure a whole new wiring harness would fix it.

[truckdude239]

dorman sells reman clusters for about 300 dollars and dorman pregrams them with the mileage and vin number so they are a direct bolt in

[jchav62]

We just fixed mine in my '04 last night. I did a search for stepper motors on line and bought a set of 6 for $20 and change... I believe they came through Amazon.com. Anyhow, my brother-in-law is very good with solder and he replaced to of them for me... the tach and gas gauge. Plugged it in and it worked cherry! One bit of advice for those doing it themselves... plug the cluster in once before reinstalling the needles. This sets the motors to 'zero'...

I'm very happy, haven't had a gas gauge for months.

[Boog]

After some research I hope to have bypassed the instrument cluster problem years. I've bought an 06 crew. Fingers crossed.

[jimjimjim]

I used the direction here to replace my stepper motors.

http://usedcarsit.com/content/chevro...rument-cluster

There also is a page on how to replace the lights if you have any out.