GM Instrument Cluster Repair | 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer

[@cweber9112]

Dude this walkthrough was perfect. Saved me $600, lol. Swapped all the Motors out and now everything looks good. MPH is off by 1, but it's close enough that I'm not going to fidget with it.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thanks, glad I could help.

[@johngeorge3671]

good job, enjoyed listening and watching your mechanical skills. NOW I got to do my cluster. thanks

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Awesome, thank you!

[@scotthibbard5746]

Thanks for the video. I have had the same problem on my 04 Silverado Z71 for 10 years. I just never got around to replacing the stepper motors.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

It's pretty easy to do, really. Give me a shout if you need help. Thanks Scott! How have you been?

[@scotthibbard5746]

@@ProjectTimeGarage Thanks, maybe one day when I decide to restore the truck. It needs a little work. I’ve been doing good., thanks. I hope you are doing well.

[@acanfield87]

Thanks for a great video! Great tip with the desoldering wick, vs. buying an expensive solder sucker tool. Makes me actually think I might be able to do it--but probably not LOL!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Not a bad job, really.

[@HandyTim]

That was an awesome informative video thank you so much I learned how to solder

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Glad I could help

[@kirbyelliott7865]

Thank you nice job I just had to go thru 2 at junkyard before got good one wished I'd watched ur video before but they done me right on price

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Glad I could help

[@iBarber504]

You lost me when you said I had to solder😂

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Nah, it's not that bad. Way easier than welding (which I'm terrible at).

[@jcsmith9518]

So glad I found you and this video. Got a 2005 Trailblazer with basically the same issues. I was looking at dropping the gas tank to replace sending unit for fuel gauge. Now I’m rethinking and will try this fix first. You most likely have saved me a world of hurt and money. Thank you for this excellent “show me how” video. Got the necessary tools and ready to proceed. Will let you know how it goes.🎛️👍🏻

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Not a hard job. Just take your time and use good solder.

[@ryanritchie9498]

Well done. Thank you for the video! Wish me luck!

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

You can do it!

[@johnshorey9139]

Thanks mate very informative 👍

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

No problem 👍

[@angelanuccio2167]

I notice you stopped when disconnecting the rear window wipers and that's because i can't get mine off really wished you woulda showed what trick you used to get it off that woulda really helped , if it was a pain enough for you to stop and put your camera down an finagle it off then thats some info worth sharing .

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Hmm don't recall it being very tough. I used my index finger to lift the tab away.

[@jodysimpson486]

Thanks for the video.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

You are welcome!

[@pjpedigo8188]

l really liked your video & info input. Now l only have find out some info on my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer LS 6 cyl hi beam indicator bulb, like where is it located on instrument panel & what is the fuse number & size fuse?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Probably not a fuse. Probably just a bulb. pull the cluster and have a look. It isn't hard.

[@aldrincuyugan4482]

awesome sir👏🙏👍🍻

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Thank you!

[@purplepuffrecords]

Sounds like Dr Phill lol

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I know. I rock, huh?

[@purplepuffrecords]

@@ProjectTimeGarage yessir

[@StayPositive-sd8op]

What's the name of that scan tool that you use?And are they updates that will go through when it needs to be

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Here's a link to the scanner: amzn.to/3W7oqeg - It's an Autel MaxiSYS MS908S Pro II - It supports pretty much anything you can throw at it, including ECU coding. There are regular updates for newer vehicles, like every couple of weeks there's something added.

[@angelf9800]

Question Why did you put blue paper to mark down where the needle goes and you didn’t need it

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Because I wanted to take every precaution I possibly could. Didn't want to mess up the cluster.

[@krazydogg7685]

My guys putting new stepper motors in with the gauge at his house in my vehicle is at my house and he says you can set them up proper there but I noticed you're doing it in the vehicle?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yeah, you can set them up on the bench, I just don't know how. Figured I would get it right using the scan tool

[@krazydogg7685]

@@ProjectTimeGarage oh I forgot to ask you I'm going to the junkyard to get another gauge cluster can I just pop it in and it works I don't care about the display on the bottom I just want the RPM in miles per hour to work tnx

[@krazydogg7685]

Never mind it was plug and Play I went to the scrap yard put another one in and it works perfect computer everything so these people lied to me about reprogramming just trying to make money off me anyways thanks

[@herbertdiaz8667]

If i were to just buy a new cluster online and replace it would it be like new and accurate?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yep, should be.

[@AprilGarciaDfw]

Hi! Can we use this kit for any vehicle that needs a instrument cluster replaced?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I'm only familiar with this kit on GM vehicles. It applies to a lot of them.

[@brianfields7968]

I have a question my odometer don't work my RPM gauge don't work my radio stopped working what would the problem be or do you know thanks for any advice and my gas gauge stopped working at 3/4 of a tank which is where it was at when it stopped working

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

At least 3 separate problems. The odometer is generally broken solder joints on resistors on the circuit board. RPM gauge is generally the stepper motor like I replaced in this video. Radio is likely something else entirely.

[@jasonbrown467]

what if all the guades randomly get a mind of their own, and all the lights on the customer come on and the door chime thing starts chiming? i am thinking ignition switch?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Poltergeist - time to call a priest! 😂 I would start by putting a test light on one of the dash power sources to see if you're getting an interruption in power, that or an intermittent ground.

[@theozarksjourneytoself-suf5420]

I have a very similar problem with my 2004 Trailblazer. I've been saying for years now that it has a demon in it. Randomly, one headlight stops working... then, randomly, a tail light will go out.... then..... the high speed on the a/c - heat will not work.... it can go out for around 6 months, then randomly just come back on. Recently, my tailgate was stuck... had to get a screwdriver to get it open from the inside... now... I'm getting a continuous light that the liftgate is open, and my dome lights won't go off...... I bought the truck used about 6 years ago pretty cheap from what I believe was a drug dealer... the reason I say this is that many of the panels inside the vehicle were loose, and some of the switches (like the one next to the dome lights) was completely gone... it appeared they were trying to find places to hide things.... I don't know... All I know is... I wish I could figure out what the problem is. I never drive at night..... due to the fact that the headlights could both go out at any moment in time.... then, they can randomly come back on as fast as they went off... My drivers window rarely works..... and the vehicle locks itself randomly even with the key in the ignition.... I could go on.. but I've said far too much already. LOL

[@leyhuezeyhur1440]

My trailblazer has recently started having intermittent issues on the cluster. When the engine is started, the only gauges to work will be the tach and speedo. The oil press, voltage, water temp and fuel will all remain and zero. The gear indicator is blank and the battery light is illuminated. Anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes into the drive, everything will start working normally (simultaneously). The synchronized return of my gauges makes me think it's not a stepper motor issue but can't think of why just those 4 gauges are acting up. Never a speedo/tach issue. Any ideas? Thanks.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

It doesn't sound like a stepper motor to me either. I'm leaning towards a cracked solder joint on the circuit board of the cluster. It's a common problem, especially in the full size truck/suvs from that era. I've fixed a few of those too.

[@byosefbreaks]

I got the same problem with my 03 trailblazer…. Did you find a solution?

[@byosefbreaks]

I got the same problem with my 03 trailblazer…. Did you find a solution?

[@hectorjimenez4222]

Hello guys, I have a 2002 trailblazer that both displays stopped working and eventually the entire cluster went out just to start working again a couple of days later. I got a cluster from a different truck and everything has been working just fine but I would like to fix the old one, any idea what could be causing the problem, all components I have checked seems to be working on the cluster, no burned fuses or chips on it.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Almost guarantee it's the small surface-mounted resistors on the board. The solder develops micro-cracks over time and leads to this. Without a microscope, the cracks are hard to see. I generally just re-touch every single resistor with a super-tiny soldering gun.

[@HandyTim]

I've got an issue with my cluster where the gauges on the right side don't work but everything else does. Do you think that could be a broken solder?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

If it's just the gauges themselves, and it's a GM vehicle, then there's a high probability that it's the stepper motors. They are absolutely famous for going out. Also, if you have one or two bad, the rest are soon to follow.

[@HandyTim]

Naw it's all four at one time But they went out while it was raining outside and then yesterday morning we're working again so I'm thinking maybe a ground wire

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

@@HandyTim Could be.

[@angelc7984]

Are all the new motors the same? Does it matter where you put them?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

All the same.

[@matthetzel8026]

My cluster either works fine or is completely dead and random goes off and on while driving whats my issue?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Most likely bad solder joints on the instrument cluster. They're famous for that issue.

[@msa_0619]

Good Morning Yes I have 2005 chevrolet trailblazer lt with some the Gage working. Same problem gage 05 trailblazer lt. And where I can get the scan tool. I hope to hear from you real soon 📞 from Houston TX

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

This is a link to the scantool I'm using. amzn.to/3yenhpN It's an Autel MaxiSys MS908S Pro. This is a pretty expensive scanner if you don't do this kind of thing a lot. There are MUCH cheaper ones that will give you the information you need. I would suggest going to your local auto parts store and asking them for an inexpensive scanner that can show "live data"

[@ipoopinwalmart5968]

Dam you pretty much rebuilt it haha.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Yep, basically.

[@papelife7674]

Factz

[@YETIFernandez33]

If you do replace the cluster do u have to get it reprogrammed.am having problems with my cluster.the guage for the temperature kept saying it's over heating.took it to a shop and told me it's gonna cost me 350 to get it fixed but I can get a replacement from a junkyard for alot cheaper

[@YETIFernandez33]

What's the best thing to do?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

It's a tough call. I'll start by saying this: I ALWAYS go to junkyard parts first, if I can. But, not with electronic stuff. If your issue is just a gauge problem (and not really a overheating problem), a junkyard cluster may well be cheaper, but may have issues with stepper motors too since so many GM cars/trucks were plagued with that problem. I would hate to get a junkyard cluster only to find out half the gauges don't work. General rule for me, if I get a junkyard GM cluster, then I replace all the stepper motors and all the bulbs. I think the total cost is somewhere around $20 or so. If you're comfortable with soldering small components, then it's much cheaper to replace the motors on your existing cluster.

[@YETIFernandez33]

@@ProjectTimeGarage I was just gonna get the whole cluster from a junk yard and take it in to a shop for they can put it in and reprogram it

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

@@YETIFernandez33 I'm not sure if a junkyard cluster will need to be programmed or not. I'm thinking not. I'm pretty sure I've swapped one in the past. Can't remember - getting old!

[@YETIFernandez33]

@@ProjectTimeGarage thank you for the information

[@nfreson]

What can I do if I forgot to mark the needle positions?

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

You may have to plug the cluster in and set the needles with the ignition on. I typically use an OBD 2 Scanner to see what the gauges should be reporting, then set them from there.

[@nfreson]

Awesome 👍 thanks for actually responding. My truck rain out of gas yesterday and I ended up walking for two hours to get it gassed up. I’m gonna upgrade the cluster lights with blue leds so I’ll give that a shot when I tackle that. Thanks again for the video

[@OlTrailDog]

I lost the odometer/info LED display at the bottom of the cluster the other day. I was hoping you were going there. Nope. Another video showed replacing one of the chips above and to the left of the display. I'm not looking forward to this project, sigh.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

There's a guy on KZbin who does a LOT of GM cluster stuff. I've watched him replace those IC chips to fix that problem too.

[@RL-ru2st]

what is the point to mark it but twist and pull at random point? plus you marked your at zero point.

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

I twisted them to the hard stop built into the stepper motor and marked that point. Once that point is known, you can remove the dials at any position. When they go back on, you move the dials to the hard stop, then keep spinning it until you hit your mark. Works every time.

[@bloodsweattears287]

My lights just won't work

[@ProjectTimeGarage]

Are you getting 12V into the cluster from the illumination wire?