2013 Malibu Cluster Previous Repair

How to repair 2013 Chevy Malibu speedometer instrument cluster gauges.
Intermittent or no power.
Step by step guide.

[@jeffescortlx]

For repair quotes & service I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@Myamore05s]

Hello Jeff. How much for a 2004 suburban? I emailed you already. Hopefully you are able to respond soon. Thank you

[@jeffescortlx]

​@@Myamore05s your email has been replied to.

[@NickMyers1]

As usual Jeff - your attention to detail, knowledge of theory and operation, and background knowledge on common issues shows in these videos. While I did sell the vehicle, the backlighting for my 2005 Yukons front HVAC controls you repaired a few years ago is still Working to this day with current owner. Wish you continued success in this business of yours. I Enjoy watching these videos and learning.

[@jeffescortlx]

Thanks!

[@mikeytappe]

It’s a shame when someone knows what they’re doing but takes no pride in it. I don’t feel you’re being judgmental pointing out someone’s sloppy work and lack of customer service. Glad you were able to get it up and working again!

[@CharlesAPrice]

Another great video. One of the things I admire about your channel is most guys would rip into the company that made the original repair. Not you…I respect your restraint.

[@johnrazor8720]

If I had expoxy’ed that on, I wouldn’t want to work on it again. Nice job removing the blob.

[@inothome]

Easy fix and like you said, we all make mistakes. Looked like UV cured soldermask they used to help "secure" the repair.

[@jeffescortlx]

The solder masks that I've seen before usually cure more hard and are more brittle. It will chip and flake off when removed. But this stuff was pretty soft, seemed more like RTV sealant.

[@inothome]

@@jeffescortlx Got ya, hard to see on video. It did look a little mushy, but didn't know if it just wasn't fully cured. But guess not.

[@P_RO_]

In my totally unrelated business I point out that the real professionals do clean work because even if the customer knows nothing of the work done, they can still see if it's a clean job or a messy one and that will be part of what they judge your work by. It's attention to the details which separates the "pro" from the "hack". And I stand behind my work even if my profit turns into a loss. Best to be outstanding in your field instead of left out standing in the field as everyone else marches on past you. This is an outstanding person doing outstanding work, and better yet he shows us how to do things right 👍👍

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Bad on the other company. You would figure they would at least take a look at it again, repair it, and give it back, say they are sorry and life would go on. Customer would be happy, (& probably would never mention it to anybody that it had to go back that second time.) Anyways, you have gained another customer plus all the free advertising you will get from them! Great job by the way!

[@cajuncoinhunter]

Hey Hey Coozan .....

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

@ hey hey! Nice to hear from you! Hope your well down south. We are just in the middle of a snow storm! It’s war though, only 20F. (Not -40F)

[@daveyio87]

I hope the customer is able to show the original repair place and get some if not all their money back. Mistakes happen, the repair place should have been willing to take a second look at it. Working on cars i see a lot of intermittent issues and is beyond fustrating to try to diagnose. A lot of people think that plugging in a scan tool into the car will tell me whats wrong. Its just a pointer in the direction to look. This video could be used as an edicational tool to the repair place to improve their knowledge and experince. I always try to help people when they make a mistake, but if they continue to do it, its just that they don't care.

[@jeffescortlx]

I agree 100%.

[@morgandude2002]

Thanks for taking care of your Customer and doing a quick repair.

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

I don't do electronic clusters but I often find other people's sloppy work and I do get judgemental, trouble is, I'm usually in the workshop alone whingeing to myself. Nice fix though I'm surprised that black blob came off so easy.

[@davidlester6092]

The difference between you & other repair is obvious. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@alanarmstrong2323]

Look after the customer and money will always find you,chase the money and you lose both.Nice repair, Sir !

[@jeffescortlx]

This is good advice that comes with age and experience. I've also heard people say just do what you love and the money will find a way.

[@benneckles9008]

Always enjoy watching "the Master at work"!

[@ovalwingnut]

Good call and agreed. By skipping out a possibly warranty work they have surly lost a cu$tomer, forever. And the added benefit of "learning another failure mode", which can be applied to future jobs. disclaimer: I'm not a repair person but I do play one on TV. Thank you for the video. Cheers from So.CA.USA 3rd House On the Right

[@rpsmith]

Great job! Thanks, Jeff!

[@Trucam2020]

Excellent video. I miss your videos

[@djosbun]

Excellent work!

[@jabjab12]

Great video great repair. Any tips on needle calibration?

[@jeffescortlx]

It would depend on the make and model of the instrument cluster your reseating the needles on. Generally it's the same for many, allow the cluster to power up and have the motors go to the home position, and then reset the needle in the home position.

[@jabjab12]

@@jeffescortlx thanks

[@thomasandrews9355]

What a shame they wouldn’t own their work. I’ve made that mistake before and would never blame the customer. I don’t work on dashes but electronics are electronics

[@HETPEZB]

What's up Jeff! Happy new year! Got the question - do you know if this problem occurs only with the clusters with monochrome display or with the clusters with full-color display too?

[@jeffescortlx]

This problem only happens to the mono color model.

[@chundulo]

Thank you Jeff!!!

[@CarlosLuna-gw8ty]

"Grinds my gears "... the palm print on the lcd

[@zx8401ztv]

Well it was a failure of the person doing the soldering, but he didn't damage anything else. That link wire looked too thick, i'm getting picky now lol.

[@Electric-Bob]

I have a 1994 F150 Ford Pickup. The Temp Gauge is wonky. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes it is pegged all the way right. Changed the Engine Sensor 3 times. Took the Cluster out and it Tested Normal. Any ideas what i missed?

[@jeffescortlx]

I'm sorry I don't have the details of the problem, I usually only work on 1999 and newer clusters. But what I can tell you is my father had a late '90s F150 and it's temp gauge was the same as yours. He had a system down, when he would start the truck he would just give the dashboard a good whack and the temp gauge would start working again. The truck never did overheat, the odometer stopped working, But that truck probably had a million miles on it.

[@Electric-Bob]

@@jeffescortlx Yeah... my Truck does not Overheat either. I understand my Pickup actually has two Temp Sensors. One for the Dash Gauge and one for the Computer. Which is good!

[@tonypitsacota2513]

Hahahahaha.... Yea greasy palm prints grinds my gears too. It's that lack of attention to detail that foresees the type of problems they introduce into their "work". What is GM doing with T241 and T242? Looks like a Darlington pair design?

[@jeffescortlx]

I'm not exactly sure what they're doing with those transistors. I haven't needed to troubleshoot further than the resistor between the two.

[@jacobschultz6670]

Do you do this repair? i have a 13 malibu that needs this service kicks on and off. Cleaned the connector so it needs repaired

[@jeffescortlx]

Yes. For quotes I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@garykozlovich5882]

I have a 2004 buick century no fuel gueage and temp gueage fluctuates to over 3/4 and back down any suggestions or can you fix ?

[@jeffescortlx]

More than likely it's not the instrument cluster that's the problem. The Buick Century is known for having failed fuel sending units. You might want to have a mechanic check out the car to see why your engine temperature is out of spec.

[@coreydnunn]

Is there a place to order a replacement resistor I lost mine when I was working on it.

[@jeffescortlx]

Yes, any place that sells electronic components. Digi-key, mouser, Newark element, eBay or Amazon.

[@coreydnunn]

@@jeffescortlx I have a 2013 Chevy Malibu Ls do I search by the number r203 or is there another number I should look for, thanks for any help

[@jeffescortlx]

​@@coreydnunnR203 is the location. This will not help you to find a replacement, you need to search by resistor value and physical package size.

[@MrLinuso]

So, it's not a resister problem as much as a solder joint/circuit problem....?

[@jeffescortlx]

Correct

[@jonathanbramlett7178]

Are you taking new customers? Have a 2007 Trailblazer SS cluster that needs the bulbs replaced

[@jeffescortlx]

Yes I am. For quotes I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@alejandrogastelum8868]

En donde se encuentra usted??. Esa falla tiene mi carro.

[@jeffescortlx]

I am located in the Midwest of the United States.

[@danman9017]

tks

[@joesaiditstrue]

well done

[@plentygood422]

What do you use to clean the screen

[@jeffescortlx]

I use a plastic safe lens cleaner.

[@nicholasbourgeois6131]

Can i use a 134a programmer to fix the mileage on a eerom on a 06 chevy 1500 dash cluster

[@jeffescortlx]

Isn't 134a refrigerant?

[@nicholasbourgeois6131]

@jeffescortlx AiTrip EEPROM BIOS USB Programmer CH341A + SOIC8 Clip + 1.8V Adapter + SOIC8 Adapter for 24 25 Series Flash

[@nicholasbourgeois6131]

@jeffescortlx my bad haha yea that's freon 🤣😂🤣

[@jeffescortlx]

​@@nicholasbourgeois6131The clip might not work if you're trying to leave the chip on the board while you program it. If you remove the eprom then use the programmer that way it might work. But I don't know about the software side of things, you might have to manually edit the hex. What is it you're trying to accomplish? What do you mean you're trying to "fix the mileage"?

[@nicholasbourgeois6131]

@jeffescortlx yes sir

[@philh9238]

Where’s the eeprom at in the cluster?

[@jeffescortlx]

I don't remember, I wasn't looking for it. But it might be integrated into the microcontroller.

[@oldyellow66]

How do I get ahold of you for a repair ?

[@jeffescortlx]

For repair quotes & service I can be reached at [e-mail]

[@rootvalley2]

I wish the start point on the needles was less ambiguous

[@jeffescortlx]

It's easy to do if you have the ability to power up the cluster on the bench. If you're not set up for that, it can be more difficult to find the starting location, and you have to use caution when moving the needles because it can damage the internals of the stepper motor.

[@sodderbridge]

Previous repair wasn't bad, I've seen waaaaay worse. They just made a tiny unfortunate mistake there.

[@jeffescortlx]

I agree it wasn't bad and I've seen worse too. I think maybe the technician was just in a hurry.

[@Joe_Mission]

not terrible, just not worth paying money for

[@samueljames9342]

Probably Doorman.

[@jeffescortlx]

Could be? I've seen similar stickers used by official repair centers.