06 Instument Cluster

[fold_em83]

Hey guys. I'm new here and haven't found what I'm looking for so I thought I'd ask. I just recently purchased an 06 Montana. The first time we drove it at night, we realized that only about half of the gauge lights worked. I thought it would be no problem to replace the bulbs and pulled the cluster out. The only place I've found the bulbs is at the local Chevy dealer and they're nearly $15 each. I put working bulbs in places where there were non working bulbs and they seemed to quit working also. After I put the cluster back in, now none of the bulbs work. Only the gauge needles light up and the gauges don't have any backlighting at all. The people at the dealership told me the whole instrument cluster will probably need to be replaced at a cost of $400. I've found used clusters on ebay for less that $100. I guess I have two questions...

1. Does anybody have a source for the bulbs? I can't find them in any local parts stores or online. I even have a GM part number (19283445) that I got from the dealer but I can't cross them or find them anywhere.

2. Does anybody know where the vehicle mileage is actually recorded? Is it recorded by the gauge cluster or is it recorded by the main computer? I don't want to put a used cluster in and have it show the wrong mileage. If it is stored in the cluster, can the cluster be reprogrammed to show the correct mileage?

Thanks in advance.

 

[msmith1956]

You should be able to take one of the old bulbs to NAPA and get them to match it up.

 

[fold_em83]

Napa doesn't have them. I've been to two stores and on their website with no luck.

 

[melsg5]

Did you make a typo on the part number 19283445? I went to www.gmpartsdirect.com and there is no listing for that number.

______________________________

 

[fold_em83]

That's the number they gave me. I checked there too. Since none of them work, I really think it's a cluster problem and not a bulb problem.

 

[fold_em83]

I've done some more checking and this is what I found. After checking some of the bulbs for continuity, I found that some are good, some are not. None of them work though so I definitely think its a problem with the printed circuit board in the cluster. Also, I discovered that the mileage is saved within the cluster so if I buy a used one, it will show incorrect mileage. I don't know if it can be reprogrammed to show the correct mileage. I just bought the van over the weekend and we have it scheduled to go back to the dealer on Friday. Hopefully they will fix it because if I had noticed the problem at the dealership, I would have said something and possibly not have bought the van.

 

[GM Customer Service]

I've done some more checking and this is what I found. After checking some of the bulbs for continuity, I found that some are good, some are not. None of them work though so I definitely think its a problem with the printed circuit board in the cluster. Also, I discovered that the mileage is saved within the cluster so if I buy a used one, it will show incorrect mileage. I don't know if it can be reprogrammed to show the correct mileage. I just bought the van over the weekend and we have it scheduled to go back to the dealer on Friday. Hopefully they will fix it because if I had noticed the problem at the dealership, I would have said something and possibly not have bought the van.

fold_em83,
I understand your concerns with this issue. Is it a GM dealer that you bought the vehicle from? I would like you to keep me posted on the progress with your dealer. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.
Thank you,
Stacy GM Customer Service