Speedometer reading 75-120 rather than 0-45?

[sticknstring]

On my way to work this morning, I noticed my speedometer reading funky. At idle it was reading around 75 and then climbed to 120 as I sped up. In the past, I noticed the needle would jump slightly every so often but nothing too bad. Anyone know what the fix is?

[Macgyver55]

In order to diagnose we need to know what you are driving.

[SOL]

Had this happen on my 05 chev, had to take the whole cluster out and send away about $500.00

[Jeremy airjer W]

Yup, year make and model.

[thenewguy]

If it is GM is may be the stepper motors in the cluster. I have repaired a few already. Most just send them out to be fixed.

[sticknstring]

'05 GMC Sierra.

Man, I'm really hoping this isn't going to be a $500 fix.

[BoxMN]

Just had a cluster put into a 05 trailblazer that I inherited from my Dad. He had warranty so that covered it. Some of those trucks had a recall or warranty issue I think, but I am not sure. Mine was not a recall, but glad ext. warranty covered it.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I had one a couple weeks ago that the tack was reading way high. Every time I cycled the key it dropped a grand. Did that until it was back to zero and it was fine.

[sticknstring]

Interesting. I'll run out and cycle it a few times & see what happens.

edit: Mine actually increased 2 mph per cycle and is going the opposite direction.

[Macgyver55]

If it is the cluster there is a place in Minneapolis, D & D Speedometer that does the entire rebuild for 200 bucks I believe. Quick turn around and reliable.

[thenewguy]

The stepper motors for these clusteres can be bought for about $15 each (each needle uses one). And if you have mechanical/electrical skills, it can be done for a fraction of the cost. If you would like to know more about this, just ask.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Mine actually increased 2 mph per cycle and is going the opposite direction.

I would probably run with the bad cluster theory.

I have used D&D in the past and have nothing but good experience with them.

[sticknstring]

Thanks for all the info guys - I knew you'd have it sorted out in no time. I'll have to ponder whether tackling it myself or bringing it in. Sounds like it's not as bad as originally thought so that part is good.

[MNice]

I think GM has a warranty deal on these clusters. Ask a dealer, it may be a free B.

[Macgyver55]

I checked with a friend and he said it was extended to 7 years or 70,000 which ever occurs first.

[zamboni]

would that warranty cover my dads 05 Avalanche? His speedo has been stuck on 65 MPH since it got cold out.

[sticknstring]

Just called the dealer and he confirmed the 7 year or 70,000 miles as well. Looks I'm like SOL as I've got 99k on mine. From looking online, it seems these speedo clusters are running around $125-$200. Now what's to say if I put another in and the dang thing goes out again? What happens to trade-in value once you replace something like that? Obviously an asterisk with mileage.

[Macgyver55]

D & D warranties theirs for some period.

[BoxMN]

My mileage is the same... maybe it stores it outside of the cluster?... mine was done at dealer.

[Scott K]

They will program your milage into the new one, they can do that, onbly because they are certified rebuilders.

[hugonian1]

I am having the same problem with my 04 Yukon.

Did a little research on the google and it looks like this is a very common G.M. problem.

This should be a recall item.

Dealer wants $600.00 for the fix.

Do some looking on line.

There is a lot of info out about this problem.

[SOL]

Mine also went out around 100,000k, I hope they due recall I think that to ahve this happen so often is not right, maybe they can hit up old Obama and get this settled. If you have a gps handheld or tomtom sort you can use these for a while to check your speed. A hassel but better than a ticket.

[thenewguy]

It cost me $45 to replace all the motors that run the guages and I have not had 1 problem in over a year. Look up (stepper motor x25.168) in the auto parts section of 3bay. There is a supplier in Rochester, MN that I have dealt with several times to get these parts.

[sticknstring]

That would be better than the $200 D&D wants to fix it. How hard of job would it be for the novice mechanic?

[morefishplease]

Very common problem. Mine went out at around 40k on an 04 GMC. Had the cluster pulled and sent in to GM to be rebuilt and than ran $500. A yr later GM sent me a letter stating they would reimburse me the $500 since like stated they extended the warrenty to 70k on this problem. Mine was the speedo, it would stick, reset after the key had been turned off then stick again once driving. Last month I lost my oil pressure, I pulled over shut the truck off and started it back up and regained pressure. Shortly after I lost the RPM gauge so I know now the cluster has gone bad. I'm just going to drive as is, everytime I turn the truck off it resets and works again til about an hour of driving the oil pressure and RPM will both go to zero. Really sucks that this is a common prob with GM vehicles, you would think the dash cluster should be the last thing to go wrong. I did check with an auto salvage that said they could pull one for around $250 but then I run the risk of that cluster going bad and since this one has been rebuilt already I'm not going through another $500 to have the dang thing go bad again. I was luck enough that GM reimbursed be in the first place.