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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,082
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,082 |
I've got a problem with the instrument cluster on my 05 Cavalier. The needles don't move or are inaccurate when it is either too warm or too cold. My normal mechanic used to have a guy he dealt with but apparently no longer does. These guys http://www.instrumentclusters.com/ have given me an online quote for $185 with free shipping and a lifetime warranty. Anybody used them?
Stupidity is expensive If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,769 Likes: 51
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,769 Likes: 51 |
Sounds like a good price.
But, no. Have not used them.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,171 Likes: 35
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,171 Likes: 35 |
Can you check BBB? They may have info.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17,491
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17,491 |
Lots of options on ebay, many for a lot less than what you were quoted. Maybe also try an auto salvage yard for a used, working unit.
Looking at Youtube, it appears that one of the 'fixes' that some rebuilders use is to simply search the circuit board for broken solder connections and resolder them. That was an issue on our '99 Caravan....really hard to spot with aging eyes - should have used a magnifier initially, but repairing that single broken solder has brought everything the cluster affects back to 100%.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 59,236 Likes: 37
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 59,236 Likes: 37 |
I've got a problem with the instrument cluster on my 05 Cavalier. The needles don't move or are inaccurate when it is either too warm or too cold. Most likely "cold" solder joints. It's an easy fix. Remove the cluster put under a magnifying light and look for the offending joints and re-solder with a good solder gun with a fine point.
Paul
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon".... D.A.D.
Trump Won!, Sandmann Won!, Rittenhouse Won!, Suck it Liberal Fuuktards.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 59,236 Likes: 37
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 59,236 Likes: 37 |
Lots of options on ebay, many for a lot less than what you were quoted. Maybe also try an auto salvage yard for a used, working unit.
Looking at Youtube, it appears that one of the 'fixes' that some rebuilders use is to simply search the circuit board for broken solder connections and resolder them. That was an issue on our '99 Caravan....really hard to spot with aging eyes - should have used a magnifier initially, but repairing that single broken solder has brought everything the cluster affects back to 100%. Mine was a '98, had several cold solder joints were the connector plugged into the cluster.
Paul
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon".... D.A.D.
Trump Won!, Sandmann Won!, Rittenhouse Won!, Suck it Liberal Fuuktards.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 929
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 929 |
Many similar issues with Silverados from same time. Stepper motors are the culprit. Supposed to be a "DIY" project.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
I've done that repair on several different GM / Chevy products from the same vintage, here at my skunkworks....apparently they used a bad run of solder, but kept the planet green Coupla' theories I've heard tossed about.... ***The base circuit board resins expand and contract at rates that the solder can't handle, so problem's more common in the North ? *** Don't rely on Maquiladora grade assemblies Dunno. A GOOD "de-soldering" tool is nice to have, and a whisker of that nice copper repair tape is handy , too. As well as a visual check a LOW IMPEDENCE VOM is good backup, .....check on the finer scale before and after the repair. Be glad to look it over and patch / re solder it ( if that's what it needs ) . If it's a burnt transistor or resistor, and lacking the no doubt highly classified schematic, further repair might well be above my pay grade. Cheers, GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,705 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,705 Likes: 4 |
The most common problem with the GM cluster is the stepper motors wear out. Solder joints possible, but not as common as the steppers. The company I used on my wife's 04 Envoy replaced all the steppers, led bulbs if needed and confirmed all functions with a lifetime guarantee on all work. The cluster is very easily removed and replaced, took me about an 1.5 hrs for R & R and about a week turnaround on the cluster. Cost back 5 or 6 years ago was 125.00 which was better than 700 for a new cluster.
Swifty
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 5 |
Many similar issues with Silverados from same time. Stepper motors are the culprit. Supposed to be a "DIY" project. This
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,082
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,082 |
My luck with soldering circuit boards is pretty poor. I will take a look at this one myself before I mail it, but I'll probably still mail it.
Stupidity is expensive If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289 |
Many similar issues with Silverados from same time. Stepper motors are the culprit. Supposed to be a "DIY" project. This Correct. It depends on the model year though. FWIW, My 98 chevy P/U had the notorious hummingbird fuel gauge issue and new stepper motors are totally unavailable. The fix is to refill the gauge with silicone dampening fluid and it's a fairly easy DIY project. I've looked up companies on the internet that charge a couple hundred bucks to do the same thing. It cost less than $20.00 and an hour and a half or so of my time. Solder joints are also known to cause problems with the wiper board but cheap replacements are readily available.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,416
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,416 |
Many similar issues with Silverados from same time. Stepper motors are the culprit. Supposed to be a "DIY" project. Pretty good video here on replacing the stepper motors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkJBXP-2w8oThis was a car similar to your Cavalier. I did it to a friends pickup a couple years ago. No problems. Jerry
Minnesota; Land of 10,000 Taxes
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 23,319 |
That was a kool how to video
"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,190
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,190 |
Paying $185 for an IC is only a good thing if that is what the root cause is and not something else under the dash that could actually be the problem . . .
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,198 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,198 Likes: 7 |
I just got a Bully Dog for the 04 Silverado.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,458
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,458 |
I sent my defective Silverado speedometer/dash panel to an ebay repair guy and it was painless. Shipped and installed with in one week. Same with the HVAC read out in my Corvette, and my ABS controller in my Corvette. 3/3 with ebay refurbs.
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