Silverado Instrument Cluster Repair - a page all about this very frustrating issue with the gauges, how to get it fixed and some of the more common symptoms that people see when it starts to happen...
It wasn't covered by Chev's warranty because of mileage and my extended warranty didn't cover the instrument cluster. I questioned the dealership and they had no pity. I told them my Jeep is at 139K miles and the speedometer still works fine.
can't believe the speedometer stopped working. It's very erratic; sometimes it will read 140 then other times 60--if you turn the vehicle off it loses 10 miles each time so if you start at 40 and turn the vehicle off 4 times you'll start a 0 again--i think this should come under a recall as others are having the same problem as I can see from your site.
I can't believe the speedometer stopped working. It's very erratic; sometimes it will read 140 then other times 60--if you turn the vehicle off it loses 10 miles each time so if you start at 40 and turn the vehicle off 4 times you'll start a 0 again--i think this should come under a recall as others are having the same problem as I can see from your site.
Found the website with the numbers posted. Called Contact number: 800-630-2438 and had an automated system setup to call (866) 514-0405 or visit http://speedometersettlement.com/
The website and 2nd # listed above only says to check back after March 23, 2009 to see the settlement results. Called the Contact number: 800-630-2438 back and spoke with a live person to see what the terms of the settlement would be. If it goes through this fix would be at no charge to owners, IF mileage is under 70,000 for 2003 and 2004 models. For 2005 you need to be under 100K miles.
Asked what to do in order to report a problem for my truck since it was obvious that there were similar issues with like models experiencing the issue, regardless of mileage and the year. No coverage for trucks over 100K and no suggestions.
General maintenance I understand, but this is not something that was due to neglect or misuse of the truck.
What's that say to customers? After 100k is there no trust in the product?
- jmb,
L, KY, US
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I bought this truck used well after the 70K warranty. We started experiencing this problem last month when my husband was pulled over for 75 in 50 and we were showing around 60. A few days later I looked down and freaked I was doing 100. I slowed to 50 and then realized I was barely moving. This has progressively gotten worse. My fave is when I was sitting perfectly still and doing 95. Now it is pegged out at around where 150 would be. We can't afford to pay $500 to get fixed.
Well let's see couldn't tell how fast I was going, Dealer was no help, so after 4 run-ins with the local police I bought a GPS unit so I Can tell how fast I'm going. (The Gps system is a hell of a lot cheaper than the new cluster) Speedometer works from time to time however is usually wrong, (says 15 mph @ 75 mph and under 50 mph doesn't work at all).
Speedometer started sticking, then wouldn't reset, now I'm driving a NASCAR truck because the speedometer is "pinned" around 140. But I'm just guessing because it only reads to 120. This Is just another in a series of electrical problems with the Silverado,
I notice about a month ago my oil gauge quite working. I figure at my next oil change I will have them take a look at the oil gauge.
Dec. 19th we left NC to go back to Michigan for the holidays to see family. I notice while driving up my speedometer was bouncing around. We made it up to Michigan. Monday, Dec. 22nd, I decided to get the oil change and when they finished I got back i my car and my speedometer said I was driving 110MPH but cars were passing me. The oil change place says they are not responsible. I called the dealership and they tell me they won't have it fixed until Monday/Tuesday. That is not good because I am leaving Sunday, Dec. 28 to head back to NC. Now for the rest of the week and my drive back to NC I will ahve to judge my speed by how fast others are driving. It is a big pain in the ass. I found this website today and I see this is a re-occurring problem will the 2004 Silverado's. I hope my extended warranty will cover the cost to have this fixed. It will be a long drive back!
At 7:00 PM Friday night on the interstate already 100 miles between me and home and heading away - all of a sudden - ZERO oil pressure on the gauge. With two dogs in the back and heading out for the weekend in the mountains, THAT will surely get your attention. Pulled off at a truck stop, checked oil, added a little just in case, restarted and everything looked fine on the panel. Being past the halfway point...kept going another 100 miles to my destination. So far, so good (but I was watching the dashboard closely).
Returning Sunday became an adventure. About 50 miles into the return trip the speedometer started going nuts. It says I'm doing 75/80 and folks are passing me. Then 90 - cars still passing me. I'm going WTF??!! By the time I reached home I'd been doing 120+ for over two hours (according to the panel). When I killed the engine it at least slowed down to a reasonable 65.
Found this website last night. What others have described about this problem and what I experienced are classic symtoms of the failure of the instrument cluster electronics which GM seems fully aware of. Read the previous posts for details on GM's extended warranty.
Down to the dealer this morning (doing 110 behind cars doing 45 - interesting). No issues with the dealer: 37.5K on the truck is well under the 70K warranty cap for the problem. Parts ordered and it'll be fixed in a few days when they arrive.
One big concern I have is whether the new GM parts actually FIX the problem or if they're simply a bandaid that could come off at some point and have it occur again. Don't yet know the answer to that,
I appreciate all the folks who put their info on this site! Thanks, you saved me a bunch of $'s and hassle!
Thanks to this web site I saved several hundred dollars. I had the same problem as others that posted. The speedometer started acting flaky, then went all the way past 120 mph while driving and 95 mph when stopped. I used the GM contact number from previous posts and GM verified the VIN as part of a special warranty. GM confirmed that they would extend the warranty to 7 years at 70,000 miles for this problem. The rep was very good and mentioned to check the hot line for major out of warranty problems, He advised that they do consider customer goodwill. It worked for me this time. The repairs will take two appointments. The first one is to check the instrument cluster panel for info such as mileage, hours, etc. Then they order the cluster and have it programed to match your stats. Once the part comes in, you bring the car back to complete the repair. Here's the GM phone number and bulletin info:
GM Contact number: 800-630-2438
Bulletin number: 07187
Before finding this site, I was prepared to purchase a cluster off ebay. There were all kinds of deals ranging from junked panels to complete rebuilds. There was a guy from Connecticut who looked the best. He had a full line of services which ranged from selling stepper motors to complete rebuilds. He also had detailed instructions for removing the instrument panel cluster and he included full programming. The complete rebuild was $240 with exchange of the defective unit . He could also add some extras including the trans temp gauge.
Thanks again for the help. One ten minute phone call saved me at least $240 and an afternoon of messing with the repair.
Starting back in April 2008, I noticed that my RPM meter had stopped working. A few weeks later my speedometer and voltmeter started to act up as well. It is now August 08 and the RPM meter has not worked since, the speedometer and voltmeter continue to remain on it's own program and will work when it wants too. I have researched this problem and have noticed that quit a few others are dealing with same problem. It has been mentioned that the PCM cluster is what needs to be replaced, which is about a $600 part not including the labor costs to replace it. I just don't understand why Chevy does not recall this as there are those of us driving our Chevy's not knowing what our accurate speed is. Obviously a serious safety issue!! I previously owned a 97 Chevy Z71 and decided to stay with Chevy and purchased a 2004 Chevy Z71. Wish the amount of problems I have had in the last year that I have owned this truck, I must say that I am really disappointed!!!
Okay, my speedometer is working fine, BUT.... I have some info for those of you with issues. I received a letter from GM about the instrument panel may malfunction and GM is offering a special 7 year 70,000 mile warranty for this problem. The program also is set up to give refunds for the repair if you have paid out of your own pocket. The special warranty has a number of 07187. GM can be reached about this at 1-800-630-2438 8AM-11PM eastern Mon thru Fri.
If you need reimbursement for the repair call 1-800-204-0261.
THANKS GM! Now how about some work on the rear end clunk and we NEED some more MPG's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
see that there are already 26 complaints about this same problem. amazing that right after the warranty expired this problem arose. have checked recall lists and don't see it listed - sounds like something that should be repaired for free. will keep checking for some kind of recall or free repair for this annoying and somewhat dangerous malfunction.
sometimes speedometer starts at zero and sometimes it starts at 60mph showing a top speed of 110-120 while going approximately 65-70.
While my vehicle was set on cruise at 65 mph, I was pulled over by a highway patrol officer who stated he clocked me at 79 mph. I had no idea my speedometer was broken. When I looked down at my speedometer while parked, the speedometer read 50 mph. I knew then there was something wrong. The next business day, I called my dealership and they replaced it for free under a special warranty since my truck was out of warranty by 3,000 miles. To have the ticket waived, I have to get a letter from the manufacturer, Chevrolet 866-790-5700 proving there was an issue/problem with the speedometer which was out of my control. The operator I spoke with said that GM does not write letters anymore concerning this issue. I told them they could either provide me a letter or provide my attorney with one. I also asked to speak to a supervisor. I was on hold for over 20 minutes waiting on a supervisor to come to the telephone. As I got impatient, I decided to call them from my cell (while on hold from my landline). Of course while giving my spiel again, a supervisor finally comes to the landline phone and then puts me on hold for another 5 minutes to tell me that GM will not send me a letter. It is now in the hands of my attorney.
When i was driving home from work i noticed that my speed gage said i was going 70mph when i was really going 30mph. As i drove and stopped through town my gage would read 40 when i was at a dead stop. As the trip continued i noticed that the gage could go up but was having troubles going back down. I took this to the dealer and they told me that i would have to pay for it because its past its mileage. I was mad and did not understand why a know problem could not be fixed by them. Nothing i did caused this to happen. GM is responsible for this problem but decided to past it on to me. Thanks a lot GM.
My speedometer is in a state of disarray. Sometimes it works properly and others times it has a mind of its own. At times, when I start my truck and begin to drive away it says I am going zero mph and other times it will peg over to 120 mph and stays there. When I come to a stop sometimes it will bounce back and forth between zero and 120 and other times it will bounce between 120 and 110. This is very troublesome and a real problem.
THIS IS WHAT I GET FOR SUPPORTING MY WIFES JOB. SHE BUILDS THESE AT THE FLINT, MI PLANT. AT 24000 MILES THE TRUCK BECAME A DESIEL WITH ALL THE TICKING NOISE FROM PISTON SLAP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO NOISE. SOMEONE IS CRAZY HERE! AT THE SAME TIME THEY DID FIND BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS , A LEAKING OIL COOLER LINE AND TWO BAD SOLENOIDS FOR THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP(38000) THE SAME OIL COOLER LINE IS LEAKING OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MY SPEEDO GAUGE FLICKERS + - 5 MILES PER HOUR AND THE TRUCK RUNS LIKE CRAP. THE TICKING NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IM ONLY GETTING 8 MILE TO A GALLON. THIS IS A REAL SHAME. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY TRUCK OWNER. AND NOW, IM CONSIDERING TO BUY A TUNDRA. WAKE UP GM, YOUR QUALITY IS GOING TO BURN YOU. YOU ARE ALREADY GIVING YOURSELVES A BAD NAME. FIX YOUR CUSTOMERS TRUCKS! THERE IS A PISTON SLAP WEBSITE THAT HAS AN AUDIO FILE TO PLAY THE PISTON SLAP NOISE. I THINK IT WAS CALLED PISTONSLAP.COM
Read about the other complaints and they were my problem, too. Except, I have the Duramax with a manual tranny and the tach is screwing up too. Not good. I called GM at the number that was given in a previous complaint for customer service. There is a special coverage for the problem, but it stops at 70000 miles or 7 years. My truck has 87500 on it now, so they told me, "Sorry, you will have to pay for the repair since your truck has gone past the special coverage limits." So, if you have the problem and you re under the limit, call and get it fixed. Really sucks to pay so much money for a truck, and GM can't extend "special coverage" for a known BIG problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It wasn't covered by Chev's warranty because of mileage and my extended warranty didn't cover the instrument cluster. I questioned the dealership and they had no pity. I told them my Jeep is at 139K miles and the speedometer still works fine.
- Larry H., Forest Grove, OR, US