This error is common with many early GM trucks, the problem is with the stepper motor, the small device which controls the needles. GM replaced these older units with a more robust longer life unit in later models. The repair process is to remove the front face of the dash, then remove the 4 bolts that secure the speedometer, then take off the covers and needles and desolder the bad components and install the updated x27 stepper motors that are lifetime guaranteed. If you attempt this yourself, DO NOT get the ones in the black plastic case from EBay, Amazon, etc, only use the replacement with a white case Also, please do NOT replace the steppers yourself if you are not familiar with soldering or do not have an adjustable iron, it is very easy to damage the board and when you do it may not be salvageable. See image at bottom of page for example of what happens when too much heat is used.
I replace the stepper motors for $60 plus shipping.
This includes replacing all the motors, checking all the lights and recalibration. For additional charges I can change the faceplate to a different color, change needle colors, change the lights to LED and repair damaged circuit boards. I can also swap mileage chips from one cluster to another and also repair some components at the board level. Again, contact me about these other services for cost.
A few tips on the removal process…….
- Place some blue painter tape over the top of the speedometer eyebrow to prevent scratching. There is a large metal clip behind the dash panel, when it pops off, there is a good change you could scratch things.
- Use a hair dryer and warm up the left and right sides of the airbag to allow the dash face to come off easier. Some people remove the airbag before the dash so that there is no interference, but accessing the bolts to the airbag is a real PITA. The front face of the dash will slide over the airbag, the hairdryer just makes it a little easier.
- Once you have the dash face off, use a dremel and remove the 2 small protrusions on the left and right side of the airbag hole to make it easier to reinstall the face and to allow future removals easier.
- Reinstalling the 4 bolts for the cluster might be made easier by using some painters tape or a magnet on the socket to help retain the small bolts during reassembly.
Great “how-to” on repairing the speedometer here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWELz904fj0
SSR dash removal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaAPQLXWbKU
Installation is reverse of removal process.
If you plan on replacing the stepper motors, please be very careful. If you are not familiar with soldering, the below is an example of what can easily happen, burned out solder pads on a speedometer. I received this from a client that attempted to replace the stepper motors himself but the soldering iron he was using was too hot or he stayed on the pins too long and ruined the traces. Where the dark patches are should be silver pads to connect to the stepper motor connections. I was able to reconnect the traces from the stepper motors to the board and get things working again but is very time consuming. If you damage your speedometer like this I can repair it. Please contact me for information.
Other cars that have the same stepper issue that I can repair are –
2003-2006 Buick LeSabre
2004-2006 Buick Rainier
2002-2006 Buick Rendezvou
2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade
2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
2000-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
2001-2005 Chevrolet Impala
2003-2006 Chevrolet Kodiak
2003-2005 Chevrolet Malibu
2001-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2003-2006 Chevrolet Silverado
2004-2006 Chevrolet SSR
2003-2006 Chevrolet Suburban
2003-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
2003-2004 Chevrolet Tracker
2002-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
2003-2005 Chevrolet Venture
2003-2006 Gmc Denali
2002-2007 Gmc Envoy
2003-2006 Gmc Sierra
2003-2006 Gmc Topkick
2003-2006 Gmc Yukon
2003-2006 Hummer H2
2002-2006 Isuzu Ascender
2003-2004 oldsmobile Bravada
2003-2004 oldsmobile Silhouette
2003-2005 Pontiac Aztek
2003-2005 Pontiac Bonneville
2003-2005 Pontiac Grand Am
2003-2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
2004-2005 Pontiac Montana
2000-2005 Pontiac Sunfire
2003-2006 Pontiac LeSabre
2004-2006 Pontiac Rainier
2002-2006 Pontiac Rendezvous