Gauge cluster goes crazy/works when it wants

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Kain452004

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I've seen some posts related to the gauge cluster issues but none seem to fit mine. On my 01 Tahoe, my gauge cluster would act funny, especially in warmer temps. When I first start my truck, all seems fine. After warming up and driving for quite a bit, my ABS light will come on, brake light, fuel gauge will drop to empty, engine temp gauge drops under 160, message center cycles between the battery light, low fuel and security. I had the cluster replaced thinking that's what issue was and it returned earlier tonight. The old gauge would actually cut off then back on again while driving. Haven't got that far with the new one yet. Any ideas or solutions? It's driving me nuts..

---------- Post added at 09:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 PM ----------

If I turn off my truck then turn back on, the issue goes away but only temporarily..
 

2003denali26

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I've seen some posts related to the gauge cluster issues but none seem to fit mine. On my 01 Tahoe, my gauge cluster would act funny, especially in warmer temps. When I first start my truck, all seems fine. After warming up and driving for quite a bit, my ABS light will come on, brake light, fuel gauge will drop to empty, engine temp gauge drops under 160, message center cycles between the battery light, low fuel and security. I had the cluster replaced thinking that's what issue was and it returned earlier tonight. The old gauge would actually cut off then back on again while driving. Haven't got that far with the new one yet. Any ideas or solutions? It's driving me nuts..

---------- Post added at 09:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 PM ----------

If I turn off my truck then turn back on, the issue goes away but only temporarily..

That happened to my 2003 yukon the last 3 months, got to a point were the cluster would not turn on after start up until it randomly wanted to, never the same amount of time. then a week ago my cluster after half an hour didnt turn on left it running and took it to my parents and turned it off, wouldent turn back on, alternator went, replaced that and the cluster hasnt done that since. weird but could be youre problem also.
 

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ratedr120

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Mine Does The Same Thing, It'll Power On And Off When It Wants To. I Seem To Be Having An Issue With My Alternator, The Bearing To The Pulley That The Belt Is On Squeaks. Im Gonna Change It This Weekend Coming And Hopefully That Will Make The Dash Gauges Work Properly. I'll Keep You Posted
 
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Kain452004

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I spoke to the company I bought the cluster from and they told me to check the black ground wires on the passenger side upper bell housing bolt.. I imagine they are talking about the transmission right? Is that something I could check from the engine bay or would I have to get under the truck?
 

Yukon Lover

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I would imagine from underneath as the engines are tight to the firewall, but it really depends which bolt it's actually on I haven't played with that one myself, you'll have to take a look.
 

Yukon Lover

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Still no luck huh? Did you try that ground on the bell housing? Had similar issues with my old ladys trailblazer, bought a battery cause it died testing wiring and was told it was weak, fixed things for a week, then bought an ignition switch module common problem with trailblazers, again fixed for a week, wound up being a bad ground on the frame under the drivers side door, was told it was for abs but apparently it controls everything cause that fixed it, not sure if these trucks have the same ground but I would try that, also does your four wheel drive work? The bcm controls that doesn't it, or any other issues?

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Kain452004

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Yeah, no luck.. Never got a chance to check that ground on the bell housing either (I don't have any jack stands).. My 4WD works just fine.. I only ask about the BCM cuz I read on another post that the heat would mess up the connection on the wires cuz they are loose.. I'm trying to eliminate all possible options before I just start throwing money at it..
 

Yukon Lover

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You'd have to check the voltage at the harness to the back of the cluster, can't remember which color wire but you can probably find a thread about it here, that would rule out the bcm, if that ground is high up on the bell housing you probably don't want to jack it up much anyway it would be hard to reach, check for that ground on the frame under the drivers door as well, good luck.
 

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