Instrument Cluster Issues - SOLVED

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Capsalot1

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My instrument cluster is having intermittent problems, I found out someone has monkeyed with the security system so it might be related. Sometimes when you shut it off the security light is on solid. Everything starts working fine and then the problem pops back up again.
 

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rockola1971

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You are going to have to get a Tech II or equivalent hooked up and see if that light is a force on because of the security system OR just a internal problem on the Cluster Circuit board. It is not uncommon at all on these clusters to get silver migration which can bridge paths on the cluster circuit board which will cause all kinds of weird, chaotic, false indications, erratic or no needle movement and god only knows what else. Ive seen and heard it all on these clusters. Pull it out and clean the firewall connector, connector on circuit board and clean the circuit board itself with rubbing alcohol. The silver migration is essentially a corrosion that appears as whitish, grayish and even blackish crud on the circuit board. It can be fully, partially or not conductive at all. Its like adding in random resistor values to random spots on a circuit board and bridging random circuits together that are not even related to on another within the grand scheme of the whole electrical circuit. Give it a good cleaning then let air dry for 30mins or so. Use a soft nylon brush and even a scotchbrite pad lightly across areas with no components and only trace paths. Essentially a light buffing.

Im going to have to one day do a youtube video. This topic comes up alot on here.
 
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Capsalot1

Capsalot1

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You are going to have to get a Tech II or equivalent hooked up and see if that light is a force on because of the security system OR just a internal problem on the Cluster Circuit board. It is not uncommon at all on these clusters to get silver migration which can bridge paths on the cluster circuit board which will cause all kinds of weird, chaotic, false indications, erratic or no needle movement and god only knows what else. Ive seen and heard it all on these clusters. Pull it out and clean the firewall connector, connector on circuit board and clean the circuit board itself with rubbing alcohol. The silver migration is essentially a corrosion that appears as whitish, grayish and even blackish crud on the circuit board. It can be fully, partially or not conductive at all. Its like adding in random resistor values to random spots on a circuit board and bridging random circuits together that are not even related to on another within the grand scheme of the whole electrical circuit. Give it a good cleaning then let air dry for 30mins or so. Use a soft nylon brush and even a scotchbrite pad lightly across areas with no components and only trace paths. Essentially a light buffing.

Im going to have to one day do a youtube video. This topic comes up alot on here.
I’ve done all that, no migration found, very clean. Cleaned anyway and touched up all solder joints to ensure there was no cold solder. I’ve verified 100% it’s due to the aftermarket security modification. I’m at a loss as to how to fix it because I can’t figure out what was done. If you don’t hold the cruise resume button and let the horn sounds it resets the gauges. If you turn the system off with the switch the gauges start glitching again.
 

rockola1971

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Then some bonehead has spliced into the power to IC for the security system and you will have to track that splice down and correct it. What makes you think there is a security system add on? Is there a module? Have the model of the security system so I can pull up its schematics?
 
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Capsalot1

Capsalot1

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Then some bonehead has spliced into the power to IC for the security system and you will have to track that splice down and correct it. What makes you think there is a security system add on? Is there a module? Have the model of the security system so I can pull up its schematics?
I apologize for disappearing, Ive been super busy, found someone had installed a bank of three relays that interrupted the yellow wire. Removed the relays and now its a hard fail and I can’t reset the gauges by holding the cruise button and letting the horn blow. Still not sure ir its the cluster or something outside triggers the failure. Im lost.
 
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Capsalot1

Capsalot1

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8B8E76E6-BBC1-4FAA-86E6-D27D2D2DA030.jpeg
 

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exp500

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See the cut purple wire? Check Wireing diagrams for it. Think that is part of Anti-theft.
 

exp500

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You could look here too-
 
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Capsalot1

Capsalot1

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Thank y’all, has anyone ever seen something like this? Its a hard failure now that Ive removed the relays.
 

exp500

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Right next to big white wire in your 3rd pic.
 
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Capsalot1

Capsalot1

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SOLVED. PLEASE POST THIS WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO
The main board on the instrument cluster was defective, transferred odometer board to new board and issue was solved thanks to Ray’s Auto Electric https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Qw1x6DH9RpLSbPD7?g_st=ic
Please give these guys serious props, they’re great at electrical issues. If you have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected]
 

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