GMT800 Gauge Cluster Rebuild - Component Sourcing/Replacement?

Joined
May 18, 2023
Messages
6
Good evening,

I've snatched a gauge cluster from a GMT800 Chevy truck at the junkyard, intending to rebuild and use it as a spare. Gauge cluster failure is one of the most common failures on those trucks if the videos and forum posts are to be believed. I have reason to suspect I may be experiencing that on my own truck, but that is to be determined.

All other trucks at the junkyard were missing their clusters too, so take of that what you will. I reckon that's one of the first parts to be taken. I figured this cluster would need some work anyways, as there is what appears to be a stab wound from a screwdriver on the message display. Perhaps someone was already in here?

Cracking open the case, I noticed both displays have a large burn mark in the corner, so I presume those will need to be replaced. My question is, where would I get replacements, and can you even get replacement parts at the component level? Is there a part number somewhere for them?

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No signs of silver migration or solder "bleed" on the back of the board which is good, that was a major cause of erratic cluster behavior and battery drain on those trucks.

I know there are rebuilders out there, but I have a hard time trusting their services after the last one appeared to have opened a PCM from another vehicle of mine by beating it with a hammer, bending the case and poorly sealing it afterwards. I would also like to have a go at rebuilding it regardless, honing my skills sort of deal. It would be good practice. Transmission temperature gauge upgrade would be a good thing to do as well. I guess if all else fails, I'm open to suggestions for a reputable rebuilder.

Unfortunately the gauge cover I most liked the look of costs $300...Some Dorman parts cost ungodly amounts of money and I haven't a clue why, if any of you have an idea I'd love to hear. I've bought Dorman subframe bushings for a Buick in the past and they were $70 each which is a bit steep for a simple rubber bushing.

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A rebuilder probably knows how to source replacement parts, or the obvious is to keep scouring the bone yards. Make a day of it. More then likely you need interior parts. :) Increase your search radius.

The cluster on mine had what you call silver migration, or really lack of solder but it took a decade to develop into a problem. The other issue I had was very erratic needles, the odometer intermittently showed. I found a forum reference where more likely the ground wire failed. I spliced in another ground wire near the harness connector to the cluster and ran it to a metal screw post and that solved that issue.
 
The burn mark on the flourescent display is normal and does not mean it has failed.

If you simply aren’t sure, reflow every joint you can with a 30 watt iron with a small tip, wet-sponge-wiping the tip to keep it clean. Start there.
 
I have become an expert at ford crown vic / grand maquis clusters, and f150's cluster repair. But it has taken a lot of reading and videos to identify the failure areas. The schematics, part#'s are not public so you have to go off of pattern failures and what you can diagnose thru thermal imaging, broken solder, and basic testing and swapping.

BTW all displays have the burnt marks you are showing. It is normal as they were there when new.
 
My 2006 Sierra has not had any issues with the cluster. Except the total hours display which resets itself every so often and display hours much less than the actual hours. It has been like that since new but it has never bothered me, so I did not even try to get it repaired under warranty
 
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