2005 Tahoe Instrument Panels Lights

[BigDog9721]

I have been reading several different threads on changing out Instrument Panel Lights on a Tahoe LS 5.3L vehicle. What's confusing is most articles say pull the dash unit and pull off back and twist and replace bulbs as needed... problem is... my particular dash doen't have lights on the board... only a circuit board... no ports or plugs for lights... any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance..

 

[2010gmcyukon]

Is yours different than this?

 

[OR VietVet]

First, welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Second, post pics of what you are saying you see. I recently sent my stock dash cluster out to Digital Dash Solutions and they charge $250 and they can customize the dash cluster to so many colors and different colored needles and the center where the needle attaches....https://www.fixmygauges.com/

I have the 05 Z71 and it was plug and play and I got the cluster that has the transmission temp gauge that is also plug and play because the pigtail is there already and ran to the transmission.

 

[Fless]

You're talking about the cluster backlighting? If you have basic mechanical and soldering skills you can disassemble the gauge cluster and replace the incandescent bulbs that are soldered to the circuit board.

Here's a link to standard incandescent bulbs: https://www.taninautoelectronix.com/product/tae-2003-2006-gm-instrument-cluster-oem-bulbs/

I've used a Dr. Speedometer kit on Amazon for bulb and stepper motor replacement. You can also get different color LED kits.

 

[Fless]

First, welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Second, post pics of what you are saying you see. I recently sent my stock dash cluster out to Digital Dash Solutions and they charge $250 and they can customize the dash cluster to so many colors and different colored needles and the center where the needle attaches....https://www.fixmygauges.com/

I have the 05 Z71 and it was plug and play and I got the cluster that has the transmission temp gauge that is also plug and play because the pigtail is there already and ran to the transmission.

Note that DDS doesn't repair your cluster; you buy one outright from him.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yes, and completely customize the way you want or just like the video, bulbs only you can do. My main drive on that cluster was the trans temp gauge and the custom look.

 

[BigDog9721]

Is yours different than this?

no... this is what i researched... attached is my circuit board... it works... but no lights...

 

[Fless]

The lights are on the other side of the circuit board, soldered to it, as shown in the video I posted in post #4.

Back to basics, is the dimmer switch on your dash rotated up to illuminate the backlights? Do your other panel lights work (HVAC, etc.)?

EDIT: this is about what the circuit board looks like on the the business side:

The backlights are the little bulbs that are around the white stepper motors (one motor for each gauge). The tach and the speedo gauges have two bulbs, all the others have one each.

 

[Fless]

@BigDog9721 if you decide to remove the gauge needles and the face, be sure to index (mark) where your needles go BEFORE you remove them. The video I posted shows the step at about 1:10. Essentially you turn the needles counterclockwise until you feel resistance, then somehow mark the position on the face with tape and a marker. With no power to the cluster the needles will usually land below the "0" mark of each gauge. When the stepper motors are powered up with the ignition, the needles will move up slightly.

Give us an idea in what part of the country you're located.

 

[OR VietVet]

At $250 exchange and free shipping, I am clumsy enough with finite small things that the money I spent is worth it and now is customized to what I wanted. I wish you luck but @Fless will not steer you wrong.

 

[BigDog9721]

Guys, you have been most informative… 2 thoughts… if my dimmer switch is faulty, how to I access that and fix it… 2nd how did you get to the business side of the circuit board? I can take off back like I did, but I don’t know how to access the business side…

 

[BigDog9721]

I'm going to relook at dimmer/light switch on dashboard as well...

 

[Fless]

Yes, do this before you tear apart the cluster. A quick look at your other lights, like on the radio (if OEM), HVAC, and other switch backlighting would tell you if the dimmer is functioning.

In order to get to the business side of the circuit board, the gauge needles have to be removed. The video shows that.

 

[BigDog9721]

Fless, thank you and all... I will be back to you on this..

 

[Fless]

Fless, thank you and all... I will be back to you on this..

Curious to know what you find.

 

[HansJr]

@Fless do you have a link to the LED’s you ordered off Amazon? I’ve been researching and was about to order some but curious to see the ones you mentioned. Thanks!

 

[Fless]

@Fless do you have a link to the LED’s you ordered off Amazon? I’ve been researching and was about to order some but curious to see the ones you mentioned. Thanks!

I didn't use LEDs for the backlighting, I used incandescent bulbs like OE. These old eyes have trouble seeing the colored dash lights. I bought a stepper motor and light bulb kit from Dr. Speedometer on Amazon, something similar to this:

Amazon.com : Automotive Replacement Speedometers

I'm sure they have other selections; some places will have a whole set of different colored LEDs. If you use LEDs you'll need to watch the polarity of the circuit board, as the LEDs are polarity sensitive, while incandescents are not.

 

[BigDog9721]

Guys, I was able to ship to an eBay vender who repaired the instrument panel for my 2005 Tahoe for $57.99 total. They were great and a quick return. There are several venders who will do this and I am very pleased with the results... just a quick update! PM me if you want who I used..