How to: Test 03-06 Gauge Cluster out of vehicle??

[mattt]

Has anyone figured out a way to bench test an instrument gauge cluster from an 03-06 outside the vehicle? What I'm looking to do is power it up, see the mileage, make sure gauges all work, everything zero's out, & check backlights.

I recently picked up a 7 gauge cluster from an 03 Yukon 2500 for my 04 Tahoe Z71. I found it in a local pick your part, so I was unable to power it up in the original vehicle. I do have about 8" of the wire harness w/ plug too, & hoping it can be bench tested powered up. Anything else different about the 2500 cluster? The Yukon is more or less complete still if you're looking for anything. 8.1 truck.

Reading the sticky thread at the top of this section, it shows the different types of clusters, except the pic link for 03-06 Denali must be a dead link???
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48567&highlight=denali+cluster

What does a Denali cluster look like? The one I have out of the Yukon 2500 looks the same as my stock cluster, only with the addition of a trans temp. Orange needles. I've searched the net and found what might be 03-06 Denali cluster pics. The ones I saw look the same as what I have, only difference is they have white needles? Is that the only difference?

Anyway, hoping there is a procedure to test this thing out before installing it. I'm even considering just swapping the overlay and adding stepper motor to my existing cluster so I don't have to deal with incorrect mileage when doing a total cluster swap. In reading other threads, I'm not too sure if that will work though....

I'll add a pic of the cluster I picked up.

 

[mattt]

Still looking for the test procedure, if it's out there. If/when I find it, I'll post up here.

Anyone have a pic of an 03-06 Denali instrument cluster they can post up?

The one in the sticky thread does not show.

 

[DirtyBlackHoe]

This is a 03-06 Denali Cluster

 

[mattt]

Thank you for posting the pic and confirming what the Denali looks like. That is the one I was seeing online in searches, but I also saw a different variant on that one so I was not sure.

Question: Is the background, gauge surround area grey as it appears in the pic I see, or is it just black like the stock gauge cluster? I see the white needles being different too. Anything else I'm missing.

Attached is a pic of the 03 Yukon 2500 cluster. Looks a lot like the Denali but with standard orange needles. Sorry for the bad pic with reflections, glare, etc. Best I could do right now.

 

[DirtyBlackHoe]

The Denali cluster is the gray surround, different back lighting, and white needles...that's the only difference between to 2500 cluster you posted.

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the clarification. Back lighting is a different color as well, huh? I might have to look into that and see about changing this one to resemble the Denali. I like the white needles.

I'm kind of surprised no one has the procedure for powering this up outside a vehicle? I figured that would be available on the net or here on this forum. I'll keep looking and report back if I find the procedure.

 

[mattt]

I have not installed this cluster yet, trying to decide on getting it programmed or not. I used to have a local, 2 miles away, speedo shop Prospeedo that could do the programming, but he moved back to Canada. Does anyone have a suggestion on someone good and reasonable who can program this to my vehicle. I've heard for it to be 100% correct, my VIN and mileage(obviously) need to be added into this cluster I picked up. My only reason for wanting this cluster is the trans temp gauge. If I could add that to my existing cluster, I'd go that route. The guy at Prospeedo also thinks the trans temp will not work unless "turned on" in my vehicle's programming or something to that effect.

What is the concensus here....run it as is, or have it programmed to my vehicle? Or, something else....I'm all ears.

 

[select127]

trans temp will work with your truck. i got a 04 tahoe without the trans temp and replaced the cluster with one out of a 03 Escalade. everything worked.

5-10 minutes of your day and you can swap the clusters to test it out in your truck. all you need is a 7mm nut driver or socket/ratchet. 4 screws after you pull the bezel.

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the info on the swap. Yeah, I've considered just putting it in, at least to test it, but the whole programming the VIN and mileage thing has me concerned. How did you deal with the VIN and mileage not matching?

Supposedly there is a problem when the VIN does not match between vehicle and cluster. I guess it's something that shows up when a dealer plugs in. I would prefer it to be all correct.

Anyone ever swapped in a stepper motor and new cluster overlay to their existing vehicle cluster instead of swapping the complete cluster?

 

[select127]

I actually pulled it out since i haven't really looked into reprogramming it. swapped them just for testing, drove 15 miles and made sure everything worked. the only problem i had was the service brake booster message came up, but ill deal with that later on.