Tachometer died

fasttr · 09-07-2011, 02:36 PM

The tach in my wife's 05 stopped working. In fact it's just sitting there pointing straight down at 6 o'clock and doesn't move. I've searched and found references to misbehaving tachs due to a bad cluster but has anyone had just their tach die like this? What are the replacement options? Must the whole cluster be replaced and if so what's the typical cost and source to procure one? Everything else is working fine on the car and the ignition switch was already replaced about 6 months ago. TIA.

DOOPHUS · 09-07-2011, 02:44 PM

From my experience, Fasttr . . . sounds like a bad Stepper Motor.

Your local GM Dealer will replace the entire cluster for about 600 plus bucks, however, a reputable Speedo Shop will replace all of the motors for less than a third of that.

Maybe someone will chime in with a nearby shop recommendation.

Good Luck

poppa · 09-07-2011, 02:52 PM

What happens when you turn the key off and on? Does the tach sweep but not all the way if it does try snapping the ignition switch to start then turn off you may find that it will re-zero after a few tries mine acted up like this about 6 months ago and so far so good not a real fix but if it works for awhile I'm that much ahead. Hope this helps

fasttr · 09-07-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa

What happens when you turn the key off and on? Does the tach sweep but not all the way if it does try snapping the ignition switch to start then turn off you may find that it will re-zero after a few tries mine acted up like this about 6 months ago and so far so good not a real fix but if it works for awhile I'm that much ahead. Hope this helps

Needle is completely dead. Doesn't even twitch when turning on the car or ignition. Stuck pointing straight down.

MonkeyBars · 09-07-2011, 08:55 PM

Bad stepper motor. I just had mine fixed and I would suggest Clusterfix.com. Shannon does good work , resonable price and fast. Good luck and let us know what you do and how things turn out for you.

lou7777777 · 09-07-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyBars

Bad stepper motor. I just had mine fixed and I would suggest Clusterfix.com. Shannon does good work , resonable price and fast. Good luck and let us know what you do and how things turn out for you.

I think it is clusterfix.net in case someone is interested.

xoxoxoBruce · 09-08-2011, 04:01 AM

You're right Lou, Clusterfix.net repairs instrument panels.
If you need clusterfix.com, your speedometer is the least of your worries.

New Mexico Rambler · 09-21-2011, 07:00 AM

OK - my tach did the dead needle thing yesterday too

- now today, it is 'working' - but about 4,000 rpm higher than normal. Would it be advisable to have the whole thing overhauled - including the backlight? At clusterfix.net - it's $100 to fix the tach and $200to do everything including the backlighting. With my dreading removing the passenger airbag, dash, etc, etc, etc....I'd rather do everything at once. What have others done

?

nulogic1 · 09-21-2011, 07:50 AM

Had my entire cluster rebuilt for $150 at this past
Tech session at Doug's. It was an upgrade to the
newest version of stepper motors.
His name is Joe and did the whole job in under an
hour.
Hope this helps!
Mike

nulogic1 · 09-21-2011, 07:56 AM

When I had the cluster rebuilt. He did not have to
remove the passenger airbag.
Mike

RUN ROD RUN · 09-21-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nulogic1

Had my entire cluster rebuilt for $150 at this past
Tech session at Doug's. It was an upgrade to the
newest version of stepper motors.
His name is Joe and did the whole job in under an
hour.
Hope this helps!
Mike

Same with me. Joe did a awesome job.

nulogic1 · 09-21-2011, 08:06 AM

Yes, and he also does the color Gage faces.
Jeff, you going to this years tech session if there
is one?
Mike

New Mexico Rambler · 09-21-2011, 08:28 AM

OK - does anyone have 'Joe's' complete name and possibly a website? Bummer that I had to miss Flagstaff!

RUN ROD RUN · 09-21-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

OK - does anyone have 'Joe's' complete name and possibly a website? Bummer that I had to miss Flagstaff!

PM ACRob, I'm sure you'll give you the details.

OP · 09-21-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

OK - does anyone have 'Joe's' complete name and possibly a website? Bummer that I had to miss Flagstaff!

Joe was not the guy replacing stepper motors in Sedona/flagstaff rally...it was someone else.

Joe was the guy doing the work at the tech session 03/10 and he upgraded my gauge cluster as well.

Rob Munter is the guy to contact to get this work done as others have previously mentioned, he can get you in contact with the repair guy.

Sharptoys · 09-21-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

OK - my tach did the dead needle thing yesterday too

- now today, it is 'working' - but about 4,000 rpm higher than normal. Would it be advisable to have the whole thing overhauled - including the backlight? At clusterfix.net - it's $100 to fix the tach and $200to do everything including the backlighting. With my dreading removing the passenger airbag, dash, etc, etc, etc....I'd rather do everything at once. What have others done

?

If you can take it out and mail it out you can get it fixed for $65.00 round trip...He is a very honest vendor...

-Email: digitalguy_1@charter.net
-David Ruberg
-123 W. Sarnia St
Winona, MN 55987
-507-429-4489

2003 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO GAUGE CLUSTER REPAIR | eBay

New Mexico Rambler · 09-21-2011, 11:29 AM

Thanks!!! Now all I need to do is pull the thing out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharptoys

If you can take it out and mail it out you can get it fixed for $65.00 round trip...He is a very honest vendor...

-Email: digitalguy_1@charter.net
-David Ruberg
-123 W. Sarnia St
Winona, MN 55987
-507-429-4489

2003 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO GAUGE CLUSTER REPAIR | eBay

Sharptoys · 09-21-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

Thanks!!! Now all I need to do is pull the thing out!

Dick/Dicktator can walk you thru it...Give him a call at...

727 460 6038...

It really isn"t that hard...

RUN ROD RUN · 09-21-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

Thanks!!! Now all I need to do is pull the thing out!

I know you can do it as I saw (& heard some words I shall not type in) during Doug's AZ Tech Session.
BTW-You don't need to remove the entire dash so don't worry about the airbag.

New Mexico Rambler · 09-21-2011, 12:14 PM

Thanks to everyone - and for referring me to MoodyBlue's link with pictures. Seems like if I have enough pictures - I can figure anything out! Now the question is....was that 'tool' for removing the dash face from around the air bag a home made thing, or was it an actual tool?

XM/Sirius/Ipod, How to Pictures

Sharptoys · 09-21-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

Thanks to everyone - and for referring me to MoodyBlue's link with pictures. Seems like if I have enough pictures - I can figure anything out! Now the question is....was that 'tool' for removing the dash face from around the air bag a home made thing, or was it an actual tool?

XM/Sirius/Ipod, How to Pictures

Trim removal tools...Should be able to find locally...They come in many colors..

Sharptoys · 09-25-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Mexico Rambler

OK - my tach did the dead needle thing yesterday too

- now today, it is 'working' - but about 4,000 rpm higher than normal. Would it be advisable to have the whole thing overhauled - including the backlight? At clusterfix.net - it's $100 to fix the tach and $200to do everything including the backlighting. With my dreading removing the passenger airbag, dash, etc, etc, etc....I'd rather do everything at once. What have others done

?

If you know how to solder you can order your steeper motors here and do it yourself....

6 x AVALANCHE CHEVY Cluster Stepper Motor X25168 X | eBay