HOW-TO: Replacing 03-06 NBS Instrument cluster stepper motors

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ScottyBoy

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The NBS 03-06 SUV's were plagued by defective stepper motors in the instrument cluster. GM's only solution for this is to replace the entire cluster at a cost upwards of $300 or more. Plus additional costs to have your mileage programmed into the new cluster, which can be another $100 or more. Your other option is to send it off to a shop that specializes in speedometer repairs, yet that will still cost you about $200 or more. If you know how to solder, you can replace the stepper motors very easily on your own. You can find replacement stepper motors on Ebay or Amazon for around 30-40 bucks. Once you get your new stepper motors, heres how to swap them out. I just replaced the stepper motors in a 2004 Denali cluster (DenaliAK's cluster) and took lots of pics.

First, you need to remove the cluster from the truck. If you don't know how to do that, CLICK HERE for instructions.

Then you need to lay the cluster on your table or workbench to take it apart.
First, you need to remove the lense/cluster bezel by unclipping the tabs around the cluster to pop it off. There are several clips across the top and two on the bottom. Unclip the top ones first and the bottom ones will come off a LOT easier.
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Here is the cluster with the bezel removed.
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Once the bezel is removed, you need to mark the setting for your needles. put a piece of tape to the left of each needle. Then rotate each needle as far to the left as it will go, and mark a line on your tape with a pen or marker.
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After each needle position is marked, you need to pop the needles off. This is most easily accomplished by using a dinner fork. Cover the fork with tape if you are worried about it scratching your gauge face overlay.
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After all your needles are removed and safely set aside, you can lift off the gauge face/overlay. It is only fastened by some small tabs, just pop it off these tabs and lift it off and set it aside.
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Don't forget to lift out the trip odometer button after you lift off the overlay.
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Now you have to lift out the clear light diffuser that is laying inside the cluster. Just carefully lift it straight up, it isnt secured to anything.
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The little white motors are the stepper motors that you need to replace.
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You need to remove the board completely from the rest of the cluster housing to unsolder the stock stepper motors and solder the new ones in.
Just unclip the back cover to seperate it.
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The white motors are the original motors and the new motors are black and slightly thinner. Here are a few shots comparing the two. The
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The motors have 4 solder pins, and 2 plastic locator pins, so they can only go in one way. The factory motors have the pins bent and soldered. You can either melt the solder and bend them back up to remove each motor, or snip them off as close to the board as possible, then melt the remaining solder to get the motor off. Desoldering wick can come in handy during the desoldering part.
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Now get the new stepper motor seated in place. Press it firmly against the board as far as it will go. The plastic pins might hold it in place during soldering, but you can also bend the pins down to help hold it too.
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Now just solder these 4 pins and you are good to go, now move on to the next stepper motor.
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ScottyBoy

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One down, 6 more to go. :lol:
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Just repeat the desoldering and soldering process until you have all the stepper motors replaced.
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I also replaced all the light bulbs in the cluster with white LEDs.
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For more information on how to install the LEDs, click HERE.

Now just re-assemble the cluster in reverse order of disassembly. Pop the needles back on and line them up with the marks you made earlier on the tape. The needles need to rest on your mark when its moved as far left as the motor will turn. And just to be safe, go plug your cluster in your truck to test it before you remove the tape and pop the front bezel back on. If all is working fine, remove the tape and clip the bezel back on and admire your work.
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natetech

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Nice write-up and photos. Time to go order some steppers...
 

DenaliAK

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If I ever have to do it again, now I'll know how....

;)

Honestly, for me and not having soldering equipment or skills, it was probably well worth having you do it for me. Nice walk-through!
 

Pachanga02

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great write up, i might have to try this on an escalade cluster i have that needs one.
 

Eagle

Thansk for all the help -STAFF!
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the radio shack solder sucker tool is worth the $5 or so it costs for this job.
 

Rivieraracing

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the radio shack solder sucker tool is worth the $5 or so it costs for this job.

Absolutely, worth it's weight in gold......or solder!!!! lol

What you guys really need is one of these!! http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...62731&filterName=Type&filterValue=Desoldering
I bought one when I redid the lights on my drivers side window switch and it was what saved that switch from hitting the wall at a hundred miles an hour from me throwing it!! lol Super cool desoldering tool!
 
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DenaliAK

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I know it's not the motors, but FWIW, how it looks after the LED's installed in the dark:

20120715_004626.jpg
 
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ScottyBoy

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I know it's not the motors, but FWIW, how it looks after the LED's installed in the dark:

20120715_004626.jpg

That turned out Awesome. How close is that to the original color with the stock bulbs? I know it looks blue but the Denali Cluster has a lot to do with that. The LEDs are cool white, about 5000-6000k.
 

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