2003 Suburban Instrument Cluster Causing Battery Draw

I am replacing the instrument cluster on this 2003 Suburban that I diagnose as being the cause of a battery draw.

[@Patrick-kc5ur]

I have no scanner just a needle nose pliers and common sense. I was watching You Tubes and a common issue was the IPC or cluster. I put the smart charger on and fully charged the battery. Left it over night and then reattached the charger it went to full 10AMPs. I then put the charger back on to fully charge and pulled the IPC fuse. After 6 hrs the charger was only at 1 AMP. My conclusion was the cluster was the source of the draw. The draw went away after pulling the IPC fuse. I also had an erratic speedo, that works most of the time, then doesn't, another symptom you mentioned.

[@edwardmmanns7454]

Great video... thanks for not killing me with loud music. On another video a gentleman said he thinks it was a bad cluster. Research he found that around 2000 the government made the auto makers switch to lead free solder. The chemistry lead to the joints to " grow whiskers" and causes all kinds of havoc. Interesting weather true or not.

[@jerrystephenson1172]

Correct, lead free solder is required now, & the silver based solder has issues w/ the silver corroding & causing the circuit board to become conductive. I have a 2003 Silverado & in warranty the inst. cluster was replaced. Now, 2023 I have a parasitic draw killing the battery if not driven daily. Plus new batteries go bad within a year. Had three in the last yr. go bad & the retailer wants to void the battery warranty. I have not been able to trace the draw yet & it's driving me nuts.

[@markparr7224]

@@jerrystephenson1172 Try taking the cluster out and let it sit overnight. I'm having a drain issue too and can't figure it out. I rebuilt my dash , put in all new stepper motors and a trans temp gauge, along with blue LED lights, but I didn't see any solder issues. Best of luck.

[@BoyishDriver]

I enjoyed your video. Excellent work!

[@paycheckmonster]

Thanks for watching!!

[@farmall1951c]

Good video, did not know how easy to remove cluster was. must be big $$.

[@paycheckmonster]

Not to bad as far as labor. The cost of the cluster is what is expensive. Thanks for watching!!

[@danielhoyer6521]

hi, what was the problem that the cluster have?

[@Oneworld863]

Can you provide the replacement cluster website in the link I think I’m having the same problem with my Tahoe.

[@paycheckmonster]

I believe that was a Dorman Product. These are sold at most auto parts stores. They will need information before ordering it. Thanks for watching!!

[@cristianSanchez-ln6pu]

Hello! I am having this same problem with my 04 Silverado custom cluster. Should I have someone repair the cluster or should I purchase a new cluster?

[@paycheckmonster]

There is places that repair them. You have to send them in or sometimes you just get a repaired one then you have to send them yours as a core. I just order them through my parts suppliers and that way they are all programmed and ready to go.

[@gmoney43080]

@@paycheckmonster where can I send my cluster in to get repaired?

[@paycheckmonster]

@@gmoney43080 You would probably have to consult with Google to find someone in your area.

[@franxiscofajardo2063]

Cristian Sanchez ya resolviste problema? Yo se exactamente lo que tienes que hacer para corregir ese problema

[@ThuggBoi69]

Those clusters sucked I have 2003 Silverado if you wouldn't drive it every day the battery would die. None of the gauges worked they all pointed every different way had to rebuild stepper motors

[@paycheckmonster]

It definitely was an issue for them. Thanks for watching!!