Instrument cluster quit working.

[Whitetail Addict]

My instrument cluster quit working today. I have backlighting but nothing else, no gauges, no dic, nothing. The wait to start light, and turn signals are it. It had been taking a little longer to come on after startup...seemed to be once the glowplugs shut off. Now it won't come on at all.

I'm pretty sure its the cluster issue that seems to plague these trucks, but I wanted to see if anybody else had any suggestions. I already checked the fuse.

I know its been discussed before but the search function yields no results.

 

[greygoose08]

i beleive its the stepper motors go out in the trucks. i have a whole cluster with 122xxx miles on it for sale if interested.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Thanks man I may have to take you up on that.

I don't know the inner workings of the cluster but it seems a stepper motor would affect one gauge at a time, not all simultaneously. I think its a connection issue, be it on the printed circuit or somewhere, to affect the dic as well.

 

[TheBac]

How old are the batteries? If they draw down too far on startup, the cluster wont initially wake up.

 

[FrankenMax]

It could be something simple like a bad ground or a mouse got in to some how. I guise what I'm saying is don't over analyze it just yet. Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Tom, the batteries are about two years old now. They are upgraded (more CCA's iirc) ACDelcos from the dealer, it has no starting issues I've noticed. The voltmeter does usually read to the high side of center though...especially after startup.

Frankenmax, where would I check for these grounds? The truck does sit outside, and I live in the woods, so rodents wouldn't be out of the question.

 

[greygoose08]

Thanks man I may have to take you up on that.

I don't know the inner workings of the cluster but it seems a stepper motor would affect one gauge at a time, not all simultaneously. I think its a connection issue, be it on the printed circuit or somewhere, to affect the dic as well.

well if you find you need a new cluster, let me know. im sure itll be here! good luck finding the issue!

 

[TheBac]

Well, if the batteries are good, and the fuses are all checking out ok, then chances are its the cluster itself.

 

[greygoose08]

and the ground to look for are on the drivers side front cab mount iirc

 

[sparepartsracing]

cluster is shot check ebay out i ended uup getting one after the corecharge brand new for $300 with blue led lighting

 

[FrankenMax]

Tom, the batteries are about two years old now. They are upgraded (more CCA's iirc) ACDelcos from the dealer, it has no starting issues I've noticed. The voltmeter does usually read to the high side of center though...especially after startup.

Frankenmax, where would I check for these grounds? The truck does sit outside, and I live in the woods, so rodents wouldn't be out of the question.

I can only speak from my experience. Two years ago I was installing a lift pump in my truck I pulled the large fuse block under the hood a found a mouse nest with baby's in and crap load of chewed up wires. So I'd look there first if that's clear grab a good test light with a long lead and a ohm meter and some thin needle push pins and set to probing wires and see if you can't turn something up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sparepartsracing]

speaking from experience you backlights work and glow plug light check engine all work, your cluster took a shit, just went threw this a month ago, either replace stepper or buy another cluster, if you punch your cluster it will turn on until you break the plastic!

 

[greygoose08]

speaking from experience you backlights work and glow plug light check engine all work, your cluster took a shit, just went threw this a month ago, either replace stepper or buy another cluster, if you punch your cluster it will turn on until you break the plastic!

haha, didnt know you could punch it and itll work till the plastic breaks!

 

[sparepartsracing]

haha, didnt know you could punch it and itll work till the plastic breaks!

like i said from experience:rofl:

 

[Whitetail Addict]

thanks for the help guys!

I tried tapping on it earlier today. I'm going to punch it when I drive it tonight...what do I have to lose. I'll check the electronics when I get a chance. I can live with it...just not having a fuel gauge or odometer is a pita.

 

[sparepartsracing]

they will still take it as a core with broken plastic ha ha

 

[Noreaster]

, if you punch your cluster it will turn on until you break the plastic!

I occasionally have to give it a whack to get the dash to wake up, hit the lip of the dash above the cluster or hit right above it.
You might want to pull the cluster out & clean the connection, that works for awhile on mine

 

[Whitetail Addict]

they will still take it as a core with broken plastic ha ha

My original plan was to drive the thing off a cliff...but I can't find one :rofl:

 

[Whitetail Addict]

I occasionally have to give it a whack to get the dash to wake up, hit the lip of the dash above the cluster or hit right above it.
You might want to pull the cluster out & clean the connection, that works for awhile on mine

Thanks Noreaster! That's kind of what it seemed like, a corroded connection. It did not come on Thursday when I started the truck, I drove about 10mi and stopped to get fuel, fired the truck back up and drove about 1/4mi and it came on. Worked all day yesterday and then today nothing.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

I drove the truck this evening. After about 5mi of a dead cluster I smacked it a shot and it came alive. Knock-on-wood it has come alive since.