Gauge cluster not working?

Tiny
PRI_I_OH
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 DODGE RAM
  • 292,301 MILES
My gauge cluster doesn't work. It lights up and I have my tach and thats it. No other gauges work. Ive been chasing wires with wiring diagrams so find broken wires and I haven't found any. Im thinking the ECM (the one on the driver side of the block might be the culprit but im not positive and do not want to spend a bunch more money without finding out for sure
Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 6:25 PM

56 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
I would verify power to the cluster. If you have it, then the cluster is most likely the failure, not the pcm
Roy
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
PRI_I_OH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I did verify the cluster works. I did the "cluster check" and I put it in my buddys truck that has the same exact truck. The reason im thinking ECM is because thats about the only thing I havent been able to test or check
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Do you have acess to a scan tool?

Roy
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
PRI_I_OH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes. The only code I get is a "bus error" or something along those lines.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Not a code reader, an actual scan tool

Roy
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
PRI_I_OH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I had ot read at the dealership but they had problems getting it to work because of the bus error
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Thursday, September 27th, 2012 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
PRI_I_OH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I am soooo sorry. Not sure of it makes a difference or not but its a 2008
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Saturday, September 29th, 2012 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
MILLER555551
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 233,852 MILES
Hi, I have a 05 ram 1500. When I started it the headlights came on by them selves, my horn, brakelights, wipers and dome lights do not work. The abs and brake lights are on. My speedometer and odometer also dont work. When I run the codes, it comes up c code aa00 ab00 ac 00 ad 00 and oo 00. Any ideas?
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
YOU NEED THE SCANNER TO CHECK BCM
check fuses and replace as needed
some fuses may have feed back may I suggest pulling fuses and check them
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JLBWELDS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 DODGE RAM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Hi I have 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 I plugged in a 2005 instrument cluster and the lights went out.I replaced the ignition fuse and the cluster fuse, re hooked up the 2003 cluster and the cluster lights up but none of the gauges work including the digital is odometer. All the furies are Gd but no speddo are tack air anything but your gear indicator? So lost
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Unfortunately the 05 cluster was probably wired different so you may have screwed up the serial data lines a pro will have to scan this to see if they are or not.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JLBWELDS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok thanks man im a hd tech can have access to a snap on scanner for a box of beer or do u think its a factory reset idea
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
No scan it see what you come up with.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JD0109
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2003 DODGE RAM
Electrical problem
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Code 1687-no bus, All gages quit working suddenly and message on dash NO BUS. Will reset when key is turned off but fails again after a while. Need procedure for cleaning connector to cluster?
All warning lights come on when gages fail. But turn signals and dash lights work.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
The code needs to be cleared, then truck driven to see if the same code comes back. That is a loss of communication with the instrument cluster. You will need to find a shop with a scan tool capable of bi-directional communication with the PCM to diagnose this. Could be the cluster is bad, could be the PCM or a sensor related to dash readings.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JD0109
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for quick reply. I have a cheap scanner tool
that I read the codes with. I erased the code and it came back. The truck is my sons and he is still driving it to work. Everything resets after key is turned off.
I talked to him while he was driving home and he said
everthing was fine. He had been driving about 15 mintues but check engine light was still on.
I was told on this site by a customer that cleaning the
cluster connector might work. Can you tell me about that.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If it is just a dirty/bad connection, then yes it would be an easy fix. Remove the cluster and clean all contacts in the plugs in the back. Look for any that are discolored, that would probably be the culprit
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JD0109
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Jack Iam sorry about thoses points I gave you.
Iam new to this site and I dont know what Iam doing. Thank you for replying to my question.
Look my son doesnt have the money to take it to the dealer and I dont have it. So thats why Iam hard up for a way I can fix the truck.I have 57 inch projection tv sitting behide me that Iam trying to fix
and Ill be honest electronics is not my thing. I can rebuild a engine but this is way out there. Anyway if you think of anything I can try. Please let me know.
Thank you very much
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Cleaning all the connections is free, and you might get lucky and it fixes it. Check all the connectors you can find under the dash that look like they feed to it
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDD1925
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
When I start the truck and drive, the gauges all work fine. While driving the gauges will go from working to not working and back to working again. Check engine, ABS, seat belt, & emergency brake lights all come on. Then Oil, temp, speedometer, odometer, & fuel guages all go left. Any ideas.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 2:32 PM (Merged)

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