• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Instrument Cluster Replacement

ATLAvalanche

Full Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Messages
20
Location
Roswell, GA
OK guys - I have read virtually every thread concerning problems with an instrument cluster, repairing an instrument cluster, or replacing an instrument cluster.  The information that I have gathered has been varied and sometimes conflicting.  I want to being a new thread that is the definitive end-all / say-all on the matter.

If you want to catch up on the initial nature of my problem, here is a link to my original thread:  http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,141102.0.html

So since then, in addition to the lower half lighting not working under the Tach or Speedo, now my oil pressure gauge reads zero all the time, and the yellow "check engine" light is illuminated.  I am assuming that this is now just some further electrical problems within the cluster.  I even went in yesterday for an oil change, and it still reads zero afterwards.  There are no signs of the engine running any different or not physically having oil pressure.  If anyone has any insight to the contrary - please let me know.

So - the ultimate conclusion is that I need to replace my instrument cluster in my 2007 Avy.  Here are the things that I want to consolidate and need to know for certain.  If I purchase another cluster (whether it be OEM or aftermarket), and can do the removal / install myself - is there anything else that needs to be done outside of the physical install to make it function perfectly?!?!?

I've read in various posts about "programming" the cluster to your truck, I've read about getting separate 3rd party companies to program or set-up a newly purchased cluster before install, I've seen conflicting opinions about "recovering" my old odometer data (that is no longer visible because of failure), etc ... etc ... etc ...  I want to know for certain exactly what is encompassed in this replacement job so I can get it done ASAP.  I had a guy at a local shop tell me that it is just "plug-n-play" - buy the new cluster and stick it in the dash.  He said that it is just a "dummy" display, and that all the odometer and other vital info is just fed to it from the computer elsewhere.  I've also read that the process can be far more complicated and expensive than that.

SO -  :help: :help: :help: - I just want have the final and absolutely correct answer to all my problems soon!  I am leaning towards an aftermarket LED unit which looks a little nicer and would be a good upgrade since I am having to replace it anyway.  Hit me up any knowledge you have!

Thank you so much for all of your help guys!  I've really found this board to be a tremendous resource since purchasing my Avy, and I am really grateful to share in the knowledge and experience of the community  (y)
 
It is mostly plug and play you do have to have your miles and hours reprogrammed in.

http://primepower.webs.com
/
 
I have 07 as well.  Yesterday I got a pretty strong plastic smell in the cab.  Now my DIC and gear position indicator is
dead.  All the other warning lights seem to working fine...

Has anyone used the "circuit board medics"?  the reviews look pretty good and the turn around time is usually a day.

:help:
 
There ended up being 2 places local here in Atlanta that do that very common fix in-house. I ended up taking the cluster out, driving up to one of the shops, dropping it off with them, going and grabbing lunch, and then coming back and it was fixed and ready for pickup. I think I paid $200 flat for and it has worked perfect since. All data was still saved in the cluster with no "retrieval" needed. They said it was almost always repairable in that manner if the lights on gear indicator were just dim - even just barely visible. They said if completely dead and gone - may not be repairable in that manner.
 
My gear selector indicator is dim (for now). I'm pulling the cluster tomorrow and sending it off.  $150 sounds pretty good to me.
 
I have an 07 Avalanche LTZ. I had the problem of having the PRND321 and DIC display go out from time to time, with no common event to pin it to. Then on a long trip (4,000 miles) it finally just stopped displaying. I too have read all the forum posts about resoldering the connectors so I took the cluster out, took it apart, and resoldered all the connectors, put it back and no difference. I suspect one of the chips or other parts has just finally failed. Wow there are a lot of repair places you can find for this. Too bad GM didn't have the common sense to do a recall like it finally did for the 04 which had such consistent failures. Anyhow, I called the dealership and asked if I could just replace the PC board. Nope, whole cluster and it is $600, no other option, and of course, the usual, "That's a common problem with these." I am so tired of hearing that phrase from GM. Replaced the front bearing on my 02 Avy after 50,000 miles - "That's a common problem..", the fuel pump on my 07 Avalanche after 80,000 miles - "That's a common problem..." So my response was, I can drive fine without having to see the trans indicator. My 88 F150 finally lost it after 25 years and it still runs fine so I am sure this truck will too. Now, having decided not to give GM any more money (and never buy another truck from them either, love the truck but such shoddy engineering - as Merle Haggard says, "wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 10 years like they should") I found what you may be looking for... just had to rant before getting to the point. http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-2007-CHEVY-TAHOE-100k-mi-SPEEDOMETER-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-USED-OEM-ACS-/181446416696?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3f0c9938&vxp=mtr
If that link does not work for you, search 2007 Tahoe instrument cluster on eBay.
 
On the new to me 07 Avalanche that I bought less than 30 days ago, I was having the same problem with DIC and the PRND321 not illuminating or being very dark.  I took out my cluster and put some solder on the Q16 location I will not say resoldered because my soldering skills are bad.  I got the info from here: http://chevroletforum.com/forum/tahoe-suburban-diy-useful-threads-61/2007-instrument-cluster-repair-36889/page7/.  So far it seems to have cured my issue.  :D
 
I replaced the clusters in both my 2003 Avalanche and 2004 EXT.

Both with upgraded units.

I bought rebuilt, upgraded units and did not have my old units repaired.

The took my cores to rebuild and continue the cycle.

The exact place I bought mine from did not survive the pandemic and is out of business.

However, I hear good things about Dr. Speedometer.
 
I have the lil electronic board part supposed to have failed & new led lights to try when I get time to remove pull apart and try soldering board.
I noticed door switch & dome lighting timer acting up aswell. A backlight in headlight control out also.
Easier to check into those gremlins b4 pulling dash instrument panel but will soldier new & keep spare 4 later.
20220812_193729.jpg
 
Back
Top