2002 Buick Century Instrument Cluster

[Thermaltech]

Where would be the best place to have my instrument cluster (Odometer) repaired or replaced? Can someone lead me in the right direction.

Thanks!

 

[karlmach1]

The odometer / shift-indicator uses LEDs, not incandescent light bulbs (as in the days of old) to illuminate the display. Check out this reply in another thread:
http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=48752&postcount=3

A friend, with a '99 Silverado P/U, had a similar problem... not with "resistors" burning open, but with bad solder-joints on (and leading to) the LED display module. It took us about an hour to pull his instrument cluster, find & re-solder all of the bad connections, and reinstall the cluster. He hasn't had a problem since.

A word of caution: always "tin" the resistors/connections with a soldering paste/flux -- doing so will make for a much better result. Also, do NOT use too hot a soldering iron -- doing so could damage the circuit board.

 

[tonyp47]

How do I get to/remove the instrument cluster (2002 Century) to correct the resistors for the odometer display?

 

[karlmach1]

Mr. Brownstone (an experienced buick tech) outlined the procedure, in this thread:

http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14158&highlight=instrument+panel

...see reply #3

 

[Thermaltech]

Thanks for the info however the 2002 instrument closter is slightly different than the reference video from youtube. They reference a 97 1/2 Buick Regal that has replacement resistors the 2002 doen't have these resistors.. The odometer display has a burt section located in the lower right bottom. I assume this is the problem and needs replacement. Does anyone know if just the LED display can be replace and where to purchase this item?

 

[karlmach1]

Thanks for the info however the 2002 instrument closter is slightly different than the reference video from youtube. They reference a 97 1/2 Buick Regal that has replacement resistors the 2002 doen't have these resistors.. The odometer display has a burt section located in the lower right bottom. I assume this is the problem and needs replacement. Does anyone know if just the LED display can be replace and where to purchase this item?

Yeah, that can present obstacles... i.e., having different models/years. But a subscription to ALLDATADIY.COM, for the specific model/year, yields details (illustrations & step-by-step procedures, plus TSBs, etc.) not typically found in a Chiltons or Haynes repair manual. (I have several vehicles on my subscription: mine & wifey's, sons & daughters, neighbors & friends)

You may be able to read a PART NUMBER off that LED display, and have a local electronics parts/repair shop to cross-reference/order one for you. I doubt that the dealer would goto that level of "component" repair... they're all pretty much "service" departments, and as such would replace the entire cluster assy.

On that latter note... I suggest going to http://www.car-part.com/ and perform a search by make/model/year/zipcode for "instrument cluster" ... salvage yards might have the entire "cluster" at a fraction of the cost that a dealer would charge.

 

[tonyp47]

Success...The 2002 Century I have has those four resistors-same as that youtube video ...two of the originals are 120 ohms and the other two are 150 ohms-they are arranged in parallel so the resistance is approx. resistance is 33.3 ohms. So the 150 ohm replacements give you 37.5 ohms (give or take) Anyway THANK YOU so much-to the TWO guys-the youtube and the Buick man...where I am (PA) they won't inspect the car if they can't read the mileage...so again THANKS...

 

[karlmach1]

WTG Tony!

I've also found good advice here, and on other GM forums (for my Silverado P/U) as well. Between the online forums, salvage yards, and my ALLDATADIY.COM subscription, my *savings* are easily into the thousands of dollars (compared with paying to have someone else do the job for me)!

 

[87GNat]

I'm helping out a friend who didn't want to pay the dealer to fix this same problem. I watched the you tube video and noticed that the cluster that I pulled out of a 2002 Century did not have the resistors on the left. There is no sign of them ever being there either. Is this normal or should there be resistors there?

 

[Bighurtx]

I also had the burnt section in the lower right corner of the LED. I replaced one of the four resistors that fell out when I rubbed them with a 1/2 watt 150 ohm resistor. It solved the problem even with the burnt mark there.
Note- if you go to junk yard to buy a replacement cluster chances are it is bad also.

Youtube has a good video on replacing these resistors.

 

[G-383265]

I'm helping out a friend who didn't want to pay the dealer to fix this same problem. I watched the you tube video and noticed that the cluster that I pulled out of a 2002 Century did not have the resistors on the left. There is no sign of them ever being there either. Is this normal or should there be resistors there?

They probably fell out mine were attached but broke away very easily

 

[Mad_Coachman]

They probably fell out mine were attached but broke away very easily

You're replying to an 11 year old post. 🙄