Instrument Cluster Help

[cdoyle]

Hi,
I have an 04, and starting Friday afternoon my speedometer just stopped working. I've also noticed that my fuel gauge and temp, will sometimes just twitch back and forth when I start the truck. They'll eventually start working, but the speedometer doesn't.

I've been reading the forums, and it sounds like this has happened to others and the only fix is replacing the whole cluster? Is that correct?

So I have an 04 V8 with Air Suspension. Been having a hard time finding a cluster, since the air suspension was so rare it appears. I can only use an 04-05 cluster right? The 03's didn't light up all the time did they? The 06+ were slightly different I thought (they moved things around I thought I remembered). Is that right, or if I happen to find an 06+ with Air, it will still work?

Any other ideas on ways to fix my cluster?

 

[cdoyle]

So over the past week, the speedometer will sometimes work other times not.

Today I decided to take the cluster out to see if I can find the cause.
One thing I noticed about the speedometer compared to the other gauges. When the need moves, you can hear something inside the actual mechanism. The other gauges are silent.

So it's leading me to think that the speedometer drive is bad in my cluster.

I've removed it from the circuit board, to see if there were any numbers or anything on it. I can't find anything.

I really don't want to have to buy a whole new cluster off Ebay just for this 1 piece. Does anyone know where I could get this?

 

[CookieRoe]

I really don't want to have to buy a whole new cluster off Ebay just for this 1 piece. Does anyone know where I could get this?

I don't think you will have a choice. That's one very specialized piece of equipment, ALTHOUGH there are companies out there that will fix your cluster, but it doesn't sound like you are the type to send it out and get it fixed. I think they are called "stepper motors". Cheapest solution would be fleabay and do a swap of the stepper motor. Worth a shot :shrug:

Either way: Speedometer Repair, Repair Speedometers &* Instrument Cluster Repair - Advanced Auto Electronics, Inc.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There's some grey areas when it comes to instrument clusters due to the fact that odometer tampering is an issue and it is regulated. I suspect that only speedometer shops will have access to these parts (if they do at all) based on how strict the laws are on odometer tampering.

You're only bet is to get a used instrument cluster, send it to a repair shop, and/or buy a brand new instrument cluster. All the above steps with the exception of gutting an old instrument cluster for the motor unit require you to send it to a speedometer shop regardless to reprogram the mileage in the new/used unit.

 

[cdoyle]

Ya I've emailed a couple places to see if they sell those motors, but I'm guessing they'll say no.

so ya most likely I'll buy a cluster of Ebay and swap it out myself.

sucks, that something like that had to go out. Really the first thing that's ever really broke on the rig in 157k miles. Guess I was due.

 

[cdoyle]

Fixed it!!

I found a guy on Ebay who sells stepper motors, sent him the pics of mine and he was able to get it. $20

Tanin Auto Electronix Speedometer Repair, Odometer Correction, LED Customization, and DIY Parts

He said that he doesn't have them on the site, because they are harder to get. But just email them and they'll be able to find them.

Hope this helps someone else, beats paying the $300 quote I got to send it to have fixed.

 

[CookieRoe]

Fixed it!!

I found a guy on Ebay who sells stepper motors, sent him the pics of mine and he was able to get it. $20

Tanin Auto Electronix Speedometer Repair, Odometer Correction, LED Customization, and DIY Parts

He said that he doesn't have them on the site, because they are harder to get. But just email them and they'll be able to find them.

Hope this helps someone else, beats paying the $300 quote I got to send it to have fixed.

Great find!!!! I've seen this happen a few other times so this is definitely useful. For whatever reason, when I recently unplugged my battery, upon hooking it back up, the needles started "break dancing" (moving maybe a 1/4 of an inch back and forth very rapidly). Lasted only 1-2 sec. Scared me.

:thumb3:

 

[cdoyle]

Great find!!!! I've seen this happen a few other times so this is definitely useful. For whatever reason, when I recently unplugged my battery, upon hooking it back up, the needles started "break dancing" (moving maybe a 1/4 of an inch back and forth very rapidly). Lasted only 1-2 sec. Scared me.

:thumb3:

Thats exactly what mine was doing, it was actually causing all my gages to act up. At first I thought my whole cluster went out. So glad that was only that one little motor.

 

[CookieRoe]

Thats exactly what mine was doing, it was actually causing all my gages to act up. At first I thought my whole cluster went out. So glad that was only that one little motor.

Well, it's only done that to me (twitch) that one time. Today I disconnected the battery and they did not twitch (breakdance, LOL). Hopefully it stays that way. How often would they act up on you? (just to know in case this is the only the beginning of a failure).

Thanks

 

[riceandpho]

i think you guys forget to do a zero point calibration for the cluster? i think everytime you guys remove and reinstall the cluster, theres a step by step procedure to do to zero point it out. i did this before and it solved my fuel gauge being inaccurate.

 

[riceandpho]

in the electronic service manual
look for the meter folder
then combination meter
look for the 0520012.pdf
i have the 06 service manual, it might be the same thing. also the buzzer will sound only if no seatbelt is plug, so dont plug in the seatbelt.

 

[CookieRoe]

i think you guys forget to do a zero point calibration for the cluster? i think everytime you guys remove and reinstall the cluster, theres a step by step procedure to do to zero point it out. i did this before and it solved my fuel gauge being inaccurate.

Oh Jeeze, really? I've taken my cluster out about 10 times now, never did a zero point calibration. So far, so good. I guess I've been lucky. Good to know about it, thanks!

 

[TaninAuto]

Fixed it!!

I found a guy on Ebay who sells stepper motors, sent him the pics of mine and he was able to get it. $20

Tanin Auto Electronix Speedometer Repair, Odometer Correction, LED Customization, and DIY Parts

He said that he doesn't have them on the site, because they are harder to get. But just email them and they'll be able to find them.

Hope this helps someone else, beats paying the $300 quote I got to send it to have fixed.

Hello,

That's us. Glad you found us and the part worked out for you. This is a common issue among many vehicles, especially with parts and assembly becoming cheaper and made with more plastic.

If you aren't comfortable with the repair yourself you can certainly send in your cluster and we can repair it for you for cheaper than anywhere else in the country.

We do everything and anything related to gauge clusters, climate control units, and LED lighting.

You can send us a PM here or email us on the website to order more of these motors.

As far as odometer correction goes, we can correct the odometer on almost every vehicle. This comes in handy when we sell a refurbished replacement gauge cluster to someone so we can match their vehicle mileage.

I have a few 80-Series Land Cruisers and other Toyota/Lexus vehicles so don't think I'm just coming in here to make a quick buck

Take care!

 

[tnave94]

Fixed it!!

I found a guy on Ebay who sells stepper motors, sent him the pics of mine and he was able to get it. $20

Tanin Auto Electronix Speedometer Repair, Odometer Correction, LED Customization, and DIY Parts

He said that he doesn't have them on the site, because they are harder to get. But just email them and they'll be able to find them.

Hope this helps someone else, beats paying the $300 quote I got to send it to have fixed.

I have the exact same problem that you did. How hard was the stepper motor to replace? Thanks for posting the link too!

 

[madiwright33]

Instrument Cluster Not Working Following Radio Install

Purchased an '03 Limited two days ago. Have been tuning it up before a cross-country trip back to school in two days.
Took apart the dash and installed my own radio. Radio works perfectly. Also painted dash with black truck bed liner. Looks awesome.

I put the dash all back together and turned on the car to find that the instrument cluster was not working. No lights, no odometer, no movement of the gauge hands.

Was there a wire cluster I did not connect again?

When I took the dash apart, I did not go past the instrument cluster.
All the lights work, the turn signals work, the radio works, etc. I checked fuses and spun the dash light. The problem is that the entire instrument cluster doesn't function.

I've attached an image. Let me know what y'all think!

 

[ChucktownRunner]

Purchased an '03 Limited two days ago. Have been tuning it up before a cross-country trip back to school in two days.
Took apart the dash and installed my own radio. Radio works perfectly. Also painted dash with black truck bed liner. Looks awesome.

I put the dash all back together and turned on the car to find that the instrument cluster was not working. No lights, no odometer, no movement of the gauge hands.

Was there a wire cluster I did not connect again?

When I took the dash apart, I did not go past the instrument cluster.
All the lights work, the turn signals work, the radio works, etc. I checked fuses and spun the dash light. The problem is that the entire instrument cluster doesn't function.

I've attached an image. Let me know what y'all think!

When you took the dash apart did you mess with the bolts above the cluster? They tighten the two ports of the cluster wire harness into the cluster. You can only tighten them so much before they start to back the ports out. I'll try to find a picture of the bolts

It's the top two in red. I always have to get my hands behind there and feed the port up enough for the bolts to start threading. Tighten them up until you feel it loosen again. You'll be able to feel when they're as tight as they'll go. Let me know if this doesn't work and we will go from there

 

[madiwright33]

ChucktownRunner, I could just kiss you!

Perfect fix. My dad wanted to polish up the plastic cluster cover before I put it back together and apparently unscrewed those bolts thinking that they were part of that panel.

Thank you for your wisdom!!!

 

[Arthur4R]

ChucktownRunner, I could just kiss you!

Perfect fix. My dad wanted to polish up the plastic cluster cover before I put it back together and apparently unscrewed those bolts thinking that they were part of that panel.

Thank you for your wisdom!!!

Do you need to lower the lower panel to take off the trim surrounding the cluster? I bought a new cluster lens as mine is clouded looking for a diy on removing it.

 

[Dimmm]

Fixed it!!

I found a guy on Ebay who sells stepper motors, sent him the pics of mine and he was able to get it. $20

Tanin Auto Electronix Speedometer Repair, Odometer Correction, LED Customization, and DIY Parts

He said that he doesn't have them on the site, because they are harder to get. But just email them and they'll be able to find them.

Hope this helps someone else, beats paying the $300 quote I got to send it to have fixed.

I know this is an old post, but hopefully I get a response from the OP or someone that did this as well.

How was the swap of the stepper motor on this?

Any connectors or just pulling it right out of the cluster or is it soldered? Etc..

TIA!

 

[TaninAuto]

I know this is an old post, but hopefully I get a response from the OP or someone that did this as well.

How was the swap of the stepper motor on this?

Any connectors or just pulling it right out of the cluster or is it soldered? Etc..

TIA!

Hey there!

If you've never done it before, we recommend sending it to someone who has experience with it - solely based on the fact that the stepper motors and other parts are very fragile and are getting very scarce to find.

Here are the steppers if you still want to attempt the repair yourself: 2003 – 2013 TOYOTA 6S STEPPER MOTOR

Here is the repair service that we offer to replace them for you: 2003 – 2013 TOYOTA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPAIR

The price is $174.99 + shipping. The current turnaround time is about 2 weeks, but we offer a same-day service for an additional $100 to get it done within 1-business day of receipt. This repair service also comes with a lifetime warranty.

We have a discount code for the 4Runner forum, you guys get 10% off with code "4RUNNER10"

We repair your 2003-2013 Toyota gauge cluster - the listed price covers the repair of any gauge issues that you are experiencing. Common issues are gauges that don’t move, jerk, jump, move incorrectly, or display the wrong value. This problem affects most Toyota clusters starting at approximately the 2003 model year.

This service does not fix issues where “ODO” is blinking and there is no mileage shown. In that case, we can find you a replacement instrument cluster.

Please let me know if there is anything else we can help with!