We have a LOT of stray cats around these parts and for a while there I had to keep lifting my headphones because I wasn't sure if all that cat howling was the video or here. Great repair as always mate.
I'm not in the industry but I enjoy watching you fix stuffs. It's been a while since the last cluster repaire. To bad the algorithm hasn't brought you to my homepage
I love learning the little tips and tricks of the trade from your videos. I doubt I'll be working on GM truck cluster at any point, but it helps me keep in mind for other soldering jobs to just always be careful and go slow.
Big fan! I really appreciate your skill and experience. Very much enjoy watching you work. Especially when you find older electronics that just need TLC by an expert like you. Wish I could work on the stuff you repair. Thank you for making these videos!
I have repaired many of these myself. I have a repair shop near me that I think he uses a torch heating up the end of a scoop shovel to solder with it surely makes it challenging to do follow ups.
Your cat sounds identical to mine. He does that when I'm at work (I've got a cat feeder camera that I can monitor while out of the house), and I can hear him yelling. Also a ginger 😂
Have missed your video. Do you fix newer ones like in last 10 years? Or what vehicles years do you go up to. To me you are a master at this as God gave you this gift.
Yes I work on the more recent ones, for example Ford, Chevy and Chrysler clusters with LCD screens that fail and need to be replaced. Thanks for watching!
Ran into an issue on a 2005 Buick lacrosse the other day. No comm and no wake up after customer jump started. It does show odometer when trip button is pressed so the cluster isn’t completely dead. It seems like it just is t getting the wake up signal on the class 2 network. Powers and grounds good, comm to cluster is good, no visible cracked solder joints or burnt traces. Suspect failed transceiver but not familiar with this cluster. I’ll dig into it more next week.
@@jeffescortlx I was testing in the vehicle since my bench setup doesn’t currently have a way to send a wake up command. This vehicle won’t let you turn the key off if the battery is dead so it was likely jump started numerous times with key on or in accessory position. GM products are normally resilient to surges but I’m suspecting this is was cause the death of this one. Normally when they are like this a simple cap discharge brings them back to life. Not on this one.
If LEDs are requested, I've had the best luck with traditional 5 mm through hole LEDs, flat top. The manufacturer I buy them from has a large minimum order, But for somebody just doing one or low quantity repairs the US Speedo cubes are reliable, I've seen very few failures of those.
I love that you make these videos! I have to ask, how and where did you learn to repair automotive electronics/electronic modules? I have an interest in electronics and would like to fix a few Mazda modules I have. But aside from visually inspecting the board, I'm not sure how to diagnose or find component faults that have no visible signs of damage.
I have been interested in electronics my entire life. After graduating general electronics I went directly into a control panel shop where I was a technician for 20 years. About 13 years ago I started getting into cluster repair, by this time I had many years of soldering and component experience. So it was a fairly easy transition for me.
@@jeffescortlx oh okay that makes alot of sense! Was general electronics a school or college program? and how did you move into becoming a control panel tech?
Really great video! I have this same cluster from a 2004 Tahoe. The gear selector display is very dim. Do you have any suggestions to repair that? Thank you!
The group of resistors to the left of the speedometer stepper motor has fractured solder joints. But chances are if your cluster has not been rebuilt and has enough use to fracture those joints, you probably have other solder joints that are also ready to be reflowed, and more than likely you have bulbs at the end of the life too, and you might even have the original defective stepper motors. It's best to just plan on a full rebuild.
Learned a bit from your videos. I have repaired a few from your videos. Have you had any experience with the 2017 era Chevy Traverse? My info display blacklists are dim during the day but at night perfectly visible. Any suggestions?
great video, i have a 2005 chevy silverado 1500 with speedo going all the way to 130 miles when i was going like 70 miles, i know it need to be fixed, i live in charlotte nc is there any one tech would you recommend around here that would do a good job? i have this truck since new but the dealer replaced the cluster less thsn a year old for the same problem but after 19 years it fail again, or maybe i have to send it to you if there is nobody around charlotte nc, thanks in advance.
good day jeff i’m struggling with a 2003 chevy diesel cluster, can you send me the pin out diagram please, client took out the 6.6 diesel and put a 6.0 gasoline engine, he want to know if there is a chance of using the original engine gauge cluster
@@jeffescortlxgood day jeff, can you send me the gauges pin out diagram i have a client who swap a 6.6 diesel engine for a 6.0 gasoline engine he wants to know if he can use the original cluster gauges
@@jeffescortlx thank you so much. Also is it a 3v led? Your videos are great I watched a couple already, it helped me fix that cluster already just need to take care of that missing check engine led. The cat adds to the videos! Lol
You don't need to replace the resistors, just reflow the solder joints. For the part that you are looking for, are you asking about the diode or the trip push button?
@@osvaldoNTCwhy would you want to replace parts, that have nothing wrong with them? The diode can come from any place that sells electronic components, Digi-key, Mouser, element 14, eBay, Amazon, AliExpress etc. But the diode itself didn't fail, just the solder joint.
@jeffescortlx ok so this resistors never fails? I just thought will be a good idea to replace them. You know the part # for the diode and thank you so much for your answer.
@@osvaldoNTC I don't know the exact part number that has been selected. Again though, the diode doesn't fail under normal conditions. Just the solder joint fractured. It's very unlikely you'll need to replace it. But it's probably just a general purpose 1N4004 type diode, just make sure you order a SMD package.
Hi, i have a 2004 hummer h2 that i recently bought. It has a refurbished cluster in it according to sticker on the back. Air bag light is on. Driver information center doesn't work correctly. It flashes the different languages and thats all it will do. Twice i was able to use the DIC but now doesn't work. I have steering controls and it came with aftermarket head unit. I changed steering control buttons which didnt fix anything. Any ideas i would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
This is a common internal cluster issue. It is not the buttons themselves that are the problem, the original cluster rebuilder may have cut some corners during the rebuild. But as far as the airbag light, If it's at normal brightness you probably have an actual air bag code. If it is dimly lit, then this is another issue that was not taking care of during the original rebuild.
@jeffescortlx thank you for the info. Yes, the airbag light is lit up normal. I checked it with snap on scanner. It didn't show anything but it also wouldn't let me delete it either. My biggest issue is getting the DIC working. It works maybe once every couple of months.
Great video Jeff! I have a cluster from my 2004 Silverado that needs some work in the near future, so I'm wondering if you're taking in new work. If so, how do I contact you?
can u please help me i have the same year cluster everthing was working fine i get in start my car and dead check engine and blinkers work and back light gauges were dead so i open up the cluster i left it hanging it powered on then i turned it off and back on and dead again if i leave it connected it flashes on and off every 15 sec ish like it wants to power on
More than likely it has fractured solder joints, probably multiple. It's typical. It's going to be in the surface mount components, resistors and diodes.
@ yeah I think I made it worse I tried to resolder the things and when I plugged it in these lines on the prndl turn red and now there’s a burn spot on the display should I just buy another one and junk this on or should I send it out for someone to fix it
@@ernestoalfaro1923Red lines on any of the displays is a bad sign, this can quickly damage the display if you allow it to stay powered on for more than a few seconds. You have probably shorted the VFD hotwire current limiting resistors. If you don't care about having the correct odometer value or option compatibilities you could probably find a used one at a junkyard. Junkyard units are either usually rebuilt and expensive, or not rebuild and has issues. But either of those options the odometer is going to no longer be correct unless they offer programming.
@@jeffescortlx you are the man I" solder everything again cleaned everything up lines didn't pop up no more I clean everything but still no power i was watching all your videos came across esd damage i checked everything like the video and same voltage so i heated up the esd if thats what the square is called until the solder can resolder itself and boom came back to life i appraciate your help
@@ernestoalfaro1923 99.999% of the time the intermittent power is caused by fractured solder joints at the resistors and a pair of diodes. The microcontroller solder joints are typically not a problem.
You got a eBay page where a guy can inquire about your cluster repairs or is this just something you do on the side to help the other guy out? I have a cluster out of my 03 that just crapped out. Someone was definitely in there before and I see a date scribbled on the inside but it looks kinda hacked. I'd like it fixed and maybe some LEDs installed if that's something you'd do. After watching your videos I'm almost confident to buy a solder kit and try to work on it but I don't want to destroy it either. Had x25 steppers on it too so it could use a refresh tbh.
Do you know how to fix a Chevy cluster that has silver migration? Ugh I haven’t seen anything on that which that’s the problem I’m having making my battery die
@@derekfelber743The stuff that looks like a creamy paste is flux, I use either Amtech or Quickchip brand. The clear liquid is 91% ISO for cleaning. The desoldering gun is a Hakko FR300.
Lately I have one where the VFD chip died and it keeps killing all replacements. And of course the 05 voltage regulator that does the 12v to 5v dying, if anyone knows what chip that is would really like to know. But I'll take those over previous hack jobs. Stepper motor traces are easy to fix, the worst is when your hunting missing resistors and caps by the mcu without a microscope.
Hey I have a cluster from a 2002 Chevy suburban that is doing all of the usual things. I cant see your contact info. Please give me a link so I can make arrangements to send it to you.
The cat said cut the crap and let me have that wrapping right meow! That's my job! If you are done before me just paws the video! Shared screen time is in my claws! I get 9 live streams a year! Don't Fur get it! LMAO
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
We have a LOT of stray cats around these parts and for a while there I had to keep lifting my headphones because I wasn't sure if all that cat howling was the video or here.
Great repair as always mate.
I had to lift my headphones a few times just editing a video lol
I'm not in the industry but I enjoy watching you fix stuffs. It's been a while since the last cluster repaire. To bad the algorithm hasn't brought you to my homepage
I love learning the little tips and tricks of the trade from your videos. I doubt I'll be working on GM truck cluster at any point, but it helps me keep in mind for other soldering jobs to just always be careful and go slow.
Wow no place to add comments. Been awhile seen a video
Big fan! I really appreciate your skill and experience. Very much enjoy watching you work. Especially when you find older electronics that just need TLC by an expert like you. Wish I could work on the stuff you repair. Thank you for making these videos!
Don’t understand electricity but I love the process to find the problem- thanks
Missed your videos
Great to see one of your videos again!
Been a while. Thanks for videos
In a world full of idiots, it's so nice to see there are still people that know their shit.
Oh I can be an idiot too. I'm sure my wife can list off a few things.
Great video Jeff
I have repaired many of these myself. I have a repair shop near me that I think he uses a torch heating up the end of a scoop shovel to solder with it surely makes it challenging to do follow ups.
Your cat sounds identical to mine. He does that when I'm at work (I've got a cat feeder camera that I can monitor while out of the house), and I can hear him yelling. Also a ginger 😂
I have 3 orange cats. But just one of them meows all the time. The other 2 hardly make any noise at all. The joys of being a cat owner I guess 😄
Have missed your video. Do you fix newer ones like in last 10 years? Or what vehicles years do you go up to. To me you are a master at this as God gave you this gift.
Yes I work on the more recent ones, for example Ford, Chevy and Chrysler clusters with LCD screens that fail and need to be replaced. Thanks for watching!
Ran into an issue on a 2005 Buick lacrosse the other day. No comm and no wake up after customer jump started. It does show odometer when trip button is pressed so the cluster isn’t completely dead. It seems like it just is t getting the wake up signal on the class 2 network.
Powers and grounds good, comm to cluster is good, no visible cracked solder joints or burnt traces. Suspect failed transceiver but not familiar with this cluster. I’ll dig into it more next week.
I'm not sure if you know this or not, but if you're bench testing this is one of the GM clusters that require a bus signal to turn on.
@@jeffescortlx I was testing in the vehicle since my bench setup doesn’t currently have a way to send a wake up command. This vehicle won’t let you turn the key off if the battery is dead so it was likely jump started numerous times with key on or in accessory position. GM products are normally resilient to surges but I’m suspecting this is was cause the death of this one.
Normally when they are like this a simple cap discharge brings them back to life. Not on this one.
@@ThePracticalMechanic I've seen my share of damaged instrument clusters from jump starting. It certainly can and does happen.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Cat! That poor VFD. I never have been a fan of presenting the film on the screen, but I know it's pretty popular right now.
Hi Buddy happy 4th !
Good Work!
Great fix
I wonder how much longer there will be a market for repairing and modding these clusters. Hard to believe they're that old already 😭
Which LEDs do you prefer for backlighting?
If LEDs are requested, I've had the best luck with traditional 5 mm through hole LEDs, flat top. The manufacturer I buy them from has a large minimum order, But for somebody just doing one or low quantity repairs the US Speedo cubes are reliable, I've seen very few failures of those.
@@jeffescortlxdo you mind sharing your supplier ?
I love that you make these videos! I have to ask, how and where did you learn to repair automotive electronics/electronic modules? I have an interest in electronics and would like to fix a few Mazda modules I have. But aside from visually inspecting the board, I'm not sure how to diagnose or find component faults that have no visible signs of damage.
I have been interested in electronics my entire life. After graduating general electronics I went directly into a control panel shop where I was a technician for 20 years. About 13 years ago I started getting into cluster repair, by this time I had many years of soldering and component experience. So it was a fairly easy transition for me.
@@jeffescortlx oh okay that makes alot of sense! Was general electronics a school or college program? and how did you move into becoming a control panel tech?
@@creverett9 It was just a two year program at a local technical college. It was actually the school that set me up with the control panel shop.
@@jeffescortlx oh cool, okay. thanks for the replies
Love these
Thanks! Jeff
Really great video! I have this same cluster from a 2004 Tahoe. The gear selector display is very dim. Do you have any suggestions to repair that? Thank you!
The group of resistors to the left of the speedometer stepper motor has fractured solder joints. But chances are if your cluster has not been rebuilt and has enough use to fracture those joints, you probably have other solder joints that are also ready to be reflowed, and more than likely you have bulbs at the end of the life too, and you might even have the original defective stepper motors. It's best to just plan on a full rebuild.
maybe i am seeing things but it looked like the diode next to the one you fixed had some corrosion as well
what do you use to test the motors (to work slowly)? how do you send the simulation to the bus cable ?
The device is covered in this video:
ua-cam.com/video/LnDgK4rJ2us/v-deo.htmlsi=q32yRkAVweztUQdb
Learned a bit from your videos. I have repaired a few from your videos. Have you had any experience with the 2017 era Chevy Traverse? My info display blacklists are dim during the day but at night perfectly visible. Any suggestions?
ua-cam.com/video/kW3BX7o7_gk/v-deo.htmlsi=YjgEa5T_Z7iK5uy2
I have a problem with the DIC display constantly scrolling, could that be a problem with the select switch? Thanks for the video's, learning a lot.
This is typically a problem with the cluster itself.
great video, i have a 2005 chevy silverado 1500 with speedo going all the way to 130 miles when i was going like 70 miles, i know it need to be fixed, i live in charlotte nc is there any one tech would you recommend around here that would do a good job? i have this truck since new but the dealer replaced the cluster less thsn a year old for the same problem but after 19 years it fail again, or maybe i have to send it to you if there is nobody around charlotte nc, thanks in advance.
@@lesgus72 If you're willing to ship it to the Midwest I can be reached at 1mr.repairman@gmail.com
Someone is hungry!!🤣🤣🤣
Hey buddy, I love ur videos and would love ur thoughts on a 2002 Toyota allion cluster, it only comes on when the sun is out and it becomes warm.
I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with that particular model.
good day jeff
i’m struggling with a 2003 chevy diesel cluster, can you send me the pin out diagram please,
client took out the 6.6 diesel and put a 6.0 gasoline engine,
he want to know if there is a chance of using the original engine gauge cluster
@@jeffescortlxgood day jeff,
can you send me the gauges pin out diagram
i have a client who swap a 6.6 diesel engine for a 6.0 gasoline engine
he wants to know if he can use the original cluster gauges
@@pablogalindo9203 pin out is the same, but the gas has a different oil pressure and RPM range.
@@jeffescortlx ok perfect but can it be done? do you know of some who has done it?
Have a question about a eerom programmer with the clip on
Ok.
HOW WOULD YOU REPLACE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BULB ITS SELF? WHAT KIND OF LED DOES IT USE? I BOUGHT AN 03 CLUSTER WITH MISSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BULB.
It's an orange 3528 SMD LED.
@@jeffescortlx thank you so much. Also is it a 3v led?
Your videos are great I watched a couple already, it helped me fix that cluster already just need to take care of that missing check engine led.
The cat adds to the videos! Lol
Oh and I subscribed 🇺🇸👍
Im not able to click the link you provided to get ahold of you. Can you post the link here or privide info for a cluster repair
Do you know what ohms/tolerance are all those resistors (511,240,122) thanks you. And where can i get that little part you resoldered
You don't need to replace the resistors, just reflow the solder joints. For the part that you are looking for, are you asking about the diode or the trip push button?
@@jeffescortlx but if I want to replace them..
Yes the diode
@@osvaldoNTCwhy would you want to replace parts, that have nothing wrong with them?
The diode can come from any place that sells electronic components, Digi-key, Mouser, element 14, eBay, Amazon, AliExpress etc. But the diode itself didn't fail, just the solder joint.
@jeffescortlx ok so this resistors never fails? I just thought will be a good idea to replace them.
You know the part # for the diode and thank you so much for your answer.
@@osvaldoNTC I don't know the exact part number that has been selected. Again though, the diode doesn't fail under normal conditions. Just the solder joint fractured. It's very unlikely you'll need to replace it. But it's probably just a general purpose 1N4004 type diode, just make sure you order a SMD package.
Hi, i have a 2004 hummer h2 that i recently bought. It has a refurbished cluster in it according to sticker on the back. Air bag light is on. Driver information center doesn't work correctly. It flashes the different languages and thats all it will do. Twice i was able to use the DIC but now doesn't work. I have steering controls and it came with aftermarket head unit. I changed steering control buttons which didnt fix anything. Any ideas i would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
This is a common internal cluster issue. It is not the buttons themselves that are the problem, the original cluster rebuilder may have cut some corners during the rebuild. But as far as the airbag light, If it's at normal brightness you probably have an actual air bag code. If it is dimly lit, then this is another issue that was not taking care of during the original rebuild.
@jeffescortlx thank you for the info. Yes, the airbag light is lit up normal. I checked it with snap on scanner. It didn't show anything but it also wouldn't let me delete it either. My biggest issue is getting the DIC working. It works maybe once every couple of months.
Air bag code read/clear are scanner specific. Not all can do it.
Several hands where on it lol its a street worker
Great video Jeff!
I have a cluster from my 2004 Silverado that needs some work in the near future, so I'm wondering if you're taking in new work.
If so, how do I contact you?
ua-cam.com/video/T_2WnJMsZaU/v-deo.htmlsi=6Lt-8TlyCi7bbCbB
can u please help me i have the same year cluster everthing was working fine i get in start my car and dead check engine and blinkers work and back light gauges were dead so i open up the cluster i left it hanging it powered on then i turned it off and back on and dead again if i leave it connected it flashes on and off every 15 sec ish like it wants to power on
More than likely it has fractured solder joints, probably multiple. It's typical. It's going to be in the surface mount components, resistors and diodes.
@ yeah I think I made it worse I tried to resolder the things and when I plugged it in these lines on the prndl turn red and now there’s a burn spot on the display should I just buy another one and junk this on or should I send it out for someone to fix it
@@ernestoalfaro1923Red lines on any of the displays is a bad sign, this can quickly damage the display if you allow it to stay powered on for more than a few seconds. You have probably shorted the VFD hotwire current limiting resistors.
If you don't care about having the correct odometer value or option compatibilities you could probably find a used one at a junkyard. Junkyard units are either usually rebuilt and expensive, or not rebuild and has issues. But either of those options the odometer is going to no longer be correct unless they offer programming.
@@jeffescortlx you are the man I" solder everything again cleaned everything up lines didn't pop up no more I clean everything but still no power i was watching all your videos came across esd damage i checked everything like the video and same voltage so i heated up the esd if thats what the square is called until the solder can resolder itself and boom came back to life i appraciate your help
@@ernestoalfaro1923 99.999% of the time the intermittent power is caused by fractured solder joints at the resistors and a pair of diodes. The microcontroller solder joints are typically not a problem.
You got a eBay page where a guy can inquire about your cluster repairs or is this just something you do on the side to help the other guy out? I have a cluster out of my 03 that just crapped out. Someone was definitely in there before and I see a date scribbled on the inside but it looks kinda hacked. I'd like it fixed and maybe some LEDs installed if that's something you'd do. After watching your videos I'm almost confident to buy a solder kit and try to work on it but I don't want to destroy it either. Had x25 steppers on it too so it could use a refresh tbh.
I don't do any selling of services on eBay. But I am available by email at 1mr.repairman@gmail.com if you would like me to take care of it.
Im looking for a pin out for a cluster on a 2010 chevy express. Can you help ?
If you can reach me by email I can send a file.
@@michaelmcdade1585ua-cam.com/video/T_2WnJMsZaU/v-deo.htmlsi=kRFrEg1vcFN-0GZN
@@jeffescortlxsent man ty so much
Do you ever repair 92-96 prelude fuel and temp gauges ?
I have not had one come in yet. I usually just see Chevy, Ford and Chrysler.
@@jeffescortlx is that some thing you can do ?
@@timmiet4246 I'm not sure, I don't know what it needs or even what it looks like.
What would you change to take a look at it ?
@@timmiet4246 my email address is 1mr.repairman@gmail.com
Do you know how to fix a Chevy cluster that has silver migration? Ugh I haven’t seen anything on that which that’s the problem I’m having making my battery die
Yes. About 25% of the rebuilds I do have silver migration. But fractured solder joints in the resistors will also cause battery drain.
Great video! How do i get some of that equipment that you have?!
Most of it came from Amazon and eBay.
@@jeffescortlx i saw in one of your others what looked like liquid flux, is that correct?? And what is the thing that pulls the solder out called?
@@derekfelber743The stuff that looks like a creamy paste is flux, I use either Amtech or Quickchip brand. The clear liquid is 91% ISO for cleaning. The desoldering gun is a Hakko FR300.
@@jeffescortlx thank you!!! Time to learn some stuff lol
I’d like to send you my dash but cannot seem to figure out how to get to you directly. How may I do so?
My email is 1mr.repairman@gmail.com
Do you know anyone in Australia who does these types of repairs?
My 2003 Mitsubishi Verada has a couple of dead LEDs on the instrument panel.
I'm sorry but I don't know anybody in Australia that does this kind of work.
Lately I have one where the VFD chip died and it keeps killing all replacements. And of course the 05 voltage regulator that does the 12v to 5v dying, if anyone knows what chip that is would really like to know. But I'll take those over previous hack jobs. Stepper motor traces are easy to fix, the worst is when your hunting missing resistors and caps by the mcu without a microscope.
Maybe there is a short somewhere after the VFD chip? Maybe the display itself is shorting?
Can I send my SSR panel to you to be repaired?
Yes. For quotes and details I can be reached at 1mr.repairman@gmail.com
Am I send you my dash cluster for you to fix and how much does it cost
For quotes I can be reached at 1mr.repairman@gmail.com
Hey I have a cluster from a 2002 Chevy suburban that is doing all of the usual things. I cant see your contact info. Please give me a link so I can make arrangements to send it to you.
ua-cam.com/video/T_2WnJMsZaU/v-deo.htmlsi=6Lt-8TlyCi7bbCbB
wes works sent me
How the heck do I find this guy's email??? I need a GMC cluster repaired!!!
1mr.repairman@gmail.com
Wait... Your name is Ted?
Nope.
I’m interested in sending my cluster to you.
I can be reached at 1mr.repairman@gmail.com
@@jeffescortlx I emailed you
The cat said cut the crap and let me have that wrapping right meow! That's my job!
If you are done before me just paws the video! Shared screen time is in my claws!
I get 9 live streams a year!
Don't Fur get it!
LMAO