Instrument Cluster reprogram curiosity

[lastro]

I have been debating getting the SS instrument cluster for my Avy, one of the few things that I envy from my brother-in-law's SS, and my curiosity on cluster re-programming is peeked.

I read from a topic search on the forums that people send them off to or got to shops for mileage and hours re-programming. How are these places doing it?

Does the cluster need to be removed? Is there a a special port used for re-programming?

Just curious as to the technical process.

 

[speeder]

I don't know!
I couldn't find anyone local to do a reprogram. The dealer and one of our site sponsors both wanted me to send my current cluster in so that they could swap the mileage. The process was going to take a week and $200 with the shipping and all. I took apart my cluster and found what looked like memory chips, I used my soldering iron and swapped the chips between the two clusters. The cluster worked great but didn't transfer the mileage.
I then got smart, and learned how to have an SS cluster with the correct mileage in my AV without paying $200 to have the cluster reprogramed. I bought a new AV and took the new cluster with me to the dealership when I picked it up. I swapped the clusters in the parking lot. (OK it is off by 3.8 miles but I showed them)

 

[02-Z66]

that's one way of doing it. expensive. but, still a way.

 

[speeder]

yah, like your not thinking about doing it. I saw your other posts about getting another one

 

[vetman]

I have been debating getting the SS instrument cluster for my Avy, one of the few things that I envy from my brother-in-law's SS, and my curiosity on cluster re-programming is peeked.

I read from a topic search on the forums that people send them off to or got to shops for mileage and hours re-programming. How are these places doing it?

Does the cluster need to be removed? Is there a a special port used for re-programming?

Just curious as to the technical process.

Lastro, I swapped my original cluster out for the Escalade cluster. It's about a 15 minute job. The cluster must be removed to transfer the engine hours and mileage but not everyone chooses to do the transfer. Some just annotate the correct existing mileage on a sticker that is placed in the drivers door jam. I took mine to a place in Dallas called AutoKraft Electronics. They took both clusters into the back bench test area. They hooked up the original one first and read the hours and mileage. Then they hooked up the new one and input those readings into my new one. While it was on the test equipment I had them check the calibration of all the gages. The whole process took about twenty minutes and cost me $40. Well worth it for me to have my correct mileage displayed.
Just my .02 worth.

HTH
Vetman

 

[AE_Turbo]

Some just annotate the correct existing mileage on a sticker that is placed in the drivers door jam.

Wouldn't this give GM a way of denying warranty claims? They do have a way of pulling the "real" mileage either way don't they?

 

[vetman]

Wouldn't this give GM a way of denying warranty claims? They do have a way of pulling the "real" mileage either way don't they?

Not if the sticker was signed and dated by a GM service Tech. I believe this is the way some of the members chose to do it. And Yes, if I remember correctly there is another place that the mileage is stored.
But again as I said before, That's the reason I chose to have my mileage transferred, So there wouldn't be any questions as to the exact mileage on the truck.
Vetman

 

[i2tall2c]

I have seen GM programmers for the odometer on e-bay They run about $500 I'm sure they are ment for just the case of wanting to swap clusters and keep everything legal...