another stepper motor casualty...

[andrewjs18]

it looks like the stepper motor in the fuel gauge might be going bad.

that'll be two gauges that don't work in my guage cluster now: the speedometer and the fuel gauge. everything else works.

 

[Spriteman]

The fuel gauge isn't the problem where the battery connections were removed and caused it to swing around is it?

The old magnet trick might fix that if it were.

 

[DonP]

Does the Fuel gauge move at all?
Is it 180 degrees off but consistent in pointing away from the "right answer"?

 

[andrewjs18]

The fuel gauge isn't the problem where the battery connections were removed and caused it to swing around is it?

The old magnet trick might fix that if it were.

the battery connections were not removed, no.

Does the Fuel gauge move at all?
Is it 180 degrees off but consistent in pointing away from the "right answer"?

when you turn the key on/off, it'll slightly rotate..it might actually be consistent...instead of being around at the 5ish position, it should be closer to the 1ish position.

 

[jaj63207]

Check the Park Avenue forum. They have a post on there about moving the needle with a magnet???

 

[DonP]

With the speedometer bad, time to get it fixed.

 

[andrewjs18]

With the speedometer bad, time to get it fixed.

looks like my temp gauge took a crap today as well...

does anyone have any good tutorials or videos on how to remove the gauge cluster on the 2004 buick lesabre?

if I remove the cluster and have it sent out for repair, can I still drive the car during this time?

 

[DonP]

If you work on the car frequently and do not have a FSM, a subscription to AllDataDIY may be worth the cost.

http://buickforums.com/forums/threa...nt-Panel-Cluster?highlight=tach+stepper+motor

The stepper motors can be replaced DIY if you have printed circuit board soldering skills - that part is not difficult. The hard part is getting the gauge cluster out of the car.

This is a large enough problem GM wide there is a cottage industry repairing the speedometers and selling the stepper motor for DIY, sometimes in kits with other necessary tools t do the job. Google will turn up many links to how-to sites, YouTubes, E-Bays etc.

Personally I would not drive the car w/o the IP, even if it runs. Too many bears giving out green stamps. Once the IP is out it only takes an hour or two to replace the motors. A nice weekend indoor project once you have the parts in hand. If you have burnt out lamps you can replace them at the same time.

 

[andrewjs18]

If you work on the car frequently and do not have a FSM, a subscription to AllDataDIY may be worth the cost.

http://buickforums.com/forums/threa...nt-Panel-Cluster?highlight=tach+stepper+motor

The stepper motors can be replaced DIY if you have printed circuit board soldering skills - that part is not difficult. The hard part is getting the gauge cluster out of the car.

This is a large enough problem GM wide there is a cottage industry repairing the speedometers and selling the stepper motor for DIY, sometimes in kits with other necessary tools t do the job. Google will turn up many links to how-to sites, YouTubes, E-Bays etc.

Personally I would not drive the car w/o the IP, even if it runs. Too many bears giving out green stamps. Once the IP is out it only takes an hour or two to replace the motors. A nice weekend indoor project once you have the parts in hand. If you have burnt out lamps you can replace them at the same time.

I don't work on the car a ton...only little things here and there.

I'm not skilled enough with a soldering iron to do anything with it. from what I've found online, all of the places that do GM cluster repairs have been out west. I was hoping to find 1 on the east coast that was close enough to my house where I could drop off the car for a few days and let them have at it. that hasn't been the case so far, yet..

 

[DonP]

Know any teenagers who are into electronics who might do the soldering for you in exchange for a large pizza?

 

[andrewjs18]

Know any teenagers who are into electronics who might do the soldering for you in exchange for a large pizza?

I wish.

we're only a few hours apart. you don't want to take a beautiful trip to see Philadelphia anytime soon, do ya? 😎

 

[Spriteman]

It only takes about 20 minutes to remove the cluster and then you could send it to a place like this - http://www.instrumentclusters.com/

 

[DonP]

I'm hardly a teen, and drink only very expensive beverages, in very expensive company !

Overnight to one of the many repair shops, with prior arrangement for a quick turn-around might be your best bet.

I wish.

we're only a few hours apart. you don't want to take a beautiful trip to see Philadelphia anytime soon, do ya? 😎

 

[andrewjs18]

It only takes about 20 minutes to remove the cluster and then you could send it to a place like this - http://www.instrumentclusters.com/

do you know of any instructional video or write up on removing that dash? I haven't been able to find any as of late.

thanks for the link..they're only a few hours away in Virgina!!!

I'm hardly a teen, and drink only very expensive beverages, in very expensive company!
Overnight to one of the many repair shops, with prior arrangement for a quick turn-around might be your best bet.

yeah, I'm going to get to it soon.

 

[Spriteman]

1. Remove the left I/P trim plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Accessory Trim Plate Replacement - Left Side .
2. Remove the right I/P trim plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Accessory Trim Plate Replacement - Right Side .
3. Raise the tilt steering column to the highest position.
4. Remove the 2 fasteners (1).
5. Lower the tilt steering column to the lowest position.
6. Disengage the 4 clips across the top edge, and the 4 clips across the bottom edge that retain the I/P cluster trim plate to the I/P by gently pulling toward the rear of the vehicle.
7. Set the parking brake.
8. Move the gear selector lever to the L1 position.
9. Tilt the top of the bezel rearward in order to remove.
10. Disconnect the electrical connector from the driver information center switch.

There are two screws in the glove box that hold the right trim plate on that have to be removed before you pull the trim plate back to remove.

The left trim plate just pull back.

 

[andrewjs18]

1. Remove the left I/P trim plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Accessory Trim Plate Replacement - Left Side .
2. Remove the right I/P trim plate. Refer to Instrument Panel Accessory Trim Plate Replacement - Right Side .
3. Raise the tilt steering column to the highest position.
4. Remove the 2 fasteners (1).
5. Lower the tilt steering column to the lowest position.
6. Disengage the 4 clips across the top edge, and the 4 clips across the bottom edge that retain the I/P cluster trim plate to the I/P by gently pulling toward the rear of the vehicle.
7. Set the parking brake.
8. Move the gear selector lever to the L1 position.
9. Tilt the top of the bezel rearward in order to remove.
10. Disconnect the electrical connector from the driver information center switch.

There are two screws in the glove box that hold the right trim plate on that have to be removed before you pull the trim plate back to remove.

The left trim plate just pull back.

thanks for the instructions.

 

[andrewjs18]

I plan on sending my IC out for repair soon. the car should be operable while the cluster is getting repaired, correct?