2000 Chev Tahoe - 5.3L Instrument Cluster Readings

[C172]

Have instrument cluster that the battery light in the info window stays on all though the volts gauge shows charging, the park, rev, neutral, drive and odometer disapear; and fuel gauge on empty not working.

Replaced fuel pump and sender because no pressure and now runs. no codes.

How to check if it needs cluster???? thanks jack

[steven kiser]

whoa, that's a mouthful. i would look into the gauge fuse. see if there is power with the vehicle running. these dash clusters are known for failing but i'm thinking that there is another issue here. i think i need a more defined history. an example will be, vehicle would not start, cranked but no go, fuel pump would not activate, replaced pump and after that would start but dash was scattering. this would make me ask, did you follow the instructions in wiring in the new plug and look along the harness for the usual melt point, was the battery run down and is there the usual flash burn from the cables being reversed? i find that this occurs more than a few times. i've asked the customer if the cables may have been crossed and they've said no but the person with them pipes right up and reminds them of all the sparks and swearing. i swear they won't admit it because they're embarrassed. i'm finding more and more issues of failures due to "how to avoid getting ripped off" articles on the internet. i had one dope change his own oil only to drain the transmission and add 5 quarts of oil to an already full crankcase. he may have been ok if his neighbor didn't walk over with a 6 pack and "mechanic back ground".

[ricmorin]

Sounds like it needs a cluster. Very common problem on these GM's. Sometimes you can get away with reprogramming them, but this one sounds done.

[C172]

just got the new cluster in, no change. forgot but radio is lock out also. back at it tomorrow. thanks jack

[steven kiser]

it may need to be programmed. the radio code leads me to believe there was a total loss of power. look at the battery cables and lugs. i've seen corrosion in the power distribution box that causes issues like this.

[C172]

Trying to see what these problems have in common

[C172]

went to power distribution wiring, sure enough a bad fuse on side of dash, didnt know it was there, you were right steve thanks jack

[steven kiser]

glad to help.