Looking at buying this 2004

[YukonLover]

Also--the stepper motor for the oil pressure gauge could be bad. They do/can go bad.

I spoke to several gauge repair experts. They all stated the stepper motors are the only thing that fails on these. And the LCD dims. Most of that a cluster is not going to fail on these without something major happens, the failure rate is just too small. Does it happen, yes, but its like winning the lotto. They also stated the 1999-2002 clusters do not have stepper motors. They are similar to an oil gauge and magnet/coil and sometimes can lose strength; which leads to poor or inaccurate readings. The parts availability for 1999-2002 clusters are still made, but rare and expensive. Some can be repaired, but to be honest, I called at least 8 shops all GM certified. Only one would perform the repair, if needed. I asked him if the cluster for 1999-2002 could be converted to a 2003 type. He stated yes, but oil PSI and battery voltage would not work. He also stated the 1999 is not compatible with 2000-2002.

 

[strutaeng]

I spoke to several gauge repair experts. They all stated the stepper motors are the only thing that fails on these. And the LCD dims. Most of that a cluster is not going to fail on these without something major happens, the failure rate is just too small. Does it happen, yes, but its like winning the lotto. They also stated the 1999-2002 clusters do not have stepper motors. They are similar to an oil gauge and magnet/coil and sometimes can lose strength; which leads to poor or inaccurate readings. The parts availability for 1999-2002 clusters are still made, but rare and expensive. Some can be repaired, but to be honest, I called at least 8 shops all GM certified. Only one would perform the repair, if needed. I asked him if the cluster for 1999-2002 could be converted to a 2003 type. He stated yes, but oil PSI and battery voltage would not work. He also stated the 1999 is not compatible with 2000-2002.

I think that's correct on the 99-02 not having stepper motors. I think their are air core motors IIRC. I replaced the cluster on my 99 Silverado to gain the transmission temperature gauge. I don't remember what year it came from TBH.

But I'm kinda confused. You stated the vehicle you are looking at buying is an 04. Are you just starting what the shop told you regarding the 99-02 clusters? Because that wouldn't apply to the 03-07 classic clusters. If so, then acknowledged.

@OR VietVet recently got a replacement for his 2500HD GMT800. I can't remember where he got his, but I had looked at that site and they looked reasonably priced, in case you need a cluster.

 

[YukonLover]

Those gauges looked perfect to me. The 80psi when flooring it is what I get. That idle looked at about 700 to me, that's fine. The temp was right where it should be. I would have wanted to see a cold start, and in a perfect world a video of underneath. If that's from the top half of the United States, then leaks and lots of rust, would be EXPECTED.

When they finally got around to the engine bay, that sounded loud. Broken exhaust bolts are pretty common on these, especially if that's somewhere it gets salt or rust.

There are lots of easy fixes on these vehicles. If you can do the work yourself, then great. If not, I wouldn't buy an NBS. It's cheaper now, but won't be in the long run.. just sayin. It's going to have plenty of small problems at 240K, but if you're willing to put in the work, it's almost all pretty cheap and easy.

Also, not sure what your NBS experience is (99-06 full size), but since you're new. The XL is the GMC badged Suburban. If you want the longer version great, but there are also options with a 6.0L engine that is more fun, and better towing depending on how you're going to use it. There's an Escalade version of this, and there's a GMC Yukon Denali that both have 6.0 with AWD

It sounded loud to me too. But knock on wood, I have had 2 of these trucks and driven many more and inspected a lot. All original gaskets and bolts, never a leak. It was in his garage, maybe thats why it was loud? Garage hard surfaces, garbage cellphone mic maybe? I may be new to forums, but not to these trucks or cars in general. Theres a lot I dont know, but can fix most small or medium repairs.

I'd rather stay away fro the AWD esclaades or denalis. They are also poorly treated compared to your SLE ot SLT trims, which is more than enough. Hardware and gear rations are different than their counter-parts. Also, the repairs on the "higher-end" trucks are just a nightmare compared to a RWD truck. I had a 4x4 SLT Yukon XL 1500, and the repairs were more lengthy as compared to the standard RWD. I only used my 4x4 twice in the 5 years I had the truck in use. But it made many more repairs more expensive and time consuming. Even a new transfer-case, was 690 plus labor and thats me digging around for the best price for a new unit. The 2500s are too heavy for me to lift on my own and work under comfortably and dont really offer any additional need than what i can do with the 1500 series. They are also a lot more expensive going in and parts are more $$. I LOVE the yukon XLs, I know the Yukon XL is a suburban 1500, and the yukon is a tahoe. TBH I dont know why they made a smaller version NON XL or Tahoe. For big families that use the 3rd row, there is no trunk space on the non XL or Tahoe.

 

[YukonLover]

I think that's correct on the 99-02 not having stepper motors. I think their are air core motors IIRC. I replaced the cluster on my 99 Silverado to gain the transmission temperature gauge. I don't remember what year it came from TBH.

But I'm kinda confused. You stated the vehicle you are looking at buying is an 04. Are you just starting what the shop told you regarding the 99-02 clusters? Because that wouldn't apply to the 03-07 classic clusters. If so, then acknowledged.

@OR VietVet recently got a replacement for his 2500HD GMT800. I can't remember where he got his, but I had looked at that site and they looked reasonably priced, in case you need a cluster.

I have a 2001 as well, and asked, because the OIL PSI was reading relatively low and inconsistent, You commented on the post prior with it, thats the one that lead me down the rabbit hole of oil manufactures and ZINC and running the truck so long while I was delivering packages. Because during that the gauge decided it was going to start reading 5-10 PSI lower than what it was before I started delivering packages. And then the change oil soon light started coming on and after 10 seconds of being on it would turn off, even after you start driving. That continued even after a change and reset of the cluster.

I do like some small differences on the 2001 as compared to my 2003. I don't mind not having steering wheel controls in my 01,I feel more connected to the main purpose of the wheel. But I do miss the infotainment center on the cluster from my 2003, I don't have it in the 2001. However, I do like the full length and width of the center console in the 2001, and the separate compartments, I like the (3) in a row 12V cigarette lighter ports on my 2001, and I like the rear cargo area has a door lock switch, where my 2003 does not.

Why do you think the Engine was so loud in the video? Any thoughts?

 

[strutaeng]

I have a 2001 as well, and asked, because the OIL PSI was reading relatively low and inconsistent, You commented on the post prior with it, thats the one that lead me down the rabbit hole of oil manufactures and ZINC and running the truck so long while I was delivering packages. Because during that the gauge decided it was going to start reading 5-10 PSI lower than what it was before I started delivering packages. And then the change oil soon light started coming on and after 10 seconds of being on it would turn off, even after you start driving. That continued even after a change and reset of the cluster.

I do like some small differences on the 2001 as compared to my 2003. I don't mind not having steering wheel controls in my 01,I feel more connected to the main purpose of the wheel. But I do miss the infotainment center on the cluster from my 2003, I don't have it in the 2001. However, I do like the full length and width of the center console in the 2001, and the separate compartments, I like the (3) in a row 12V cigarette lighter ports on my 2001, and I like the rear cargo area has a door lock switch, where my 2003 does not.

Why do you think the Engine was so loud in the video? Any thoughts?

Ah, ok. Gotcha.

I'll look at that video later and let you know what I think.

 

[OR VietVet]

I think that's correct on the 99-02 not having stepper motors. I think their are air core motors IIRC. I replaced the cluster on my 99 Silverado to gain the transmission temperature gauge. I don't remember what year it came from TBH.

But I'm kinda confused. You stated the vehicle you are looking at buying is an 04. Are you just starting what the shop told you regarding the 99-02 clusters? Because that wouldn't apply to the 03-07 classic clusters. If so, then acknowledged.

@OR VietVet recently got a replacement for his 2500HD GMT800. I can't remember where he got his, but I had looked at that site and they looked reasonably priced, in case you need a cluster.

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