Trailblazer Instrument Cluster Page - This page talks about this problem that's so common with these trucks, what symptoms you usually will see and how to fix it.
I bought the car in July. The battery gauge was not working. Then the oil temp stopped. Then the speedometer started acting up. I went to the Chevy dealer and they suggested a $160.00 diagnosis and then if they replaced the cluster gauge $685.00. I called the GMC dealer who suggested a local company that could repair the cluster. $Paid 275.00 2 hr job.
The cluster in this vehicle is a real pain. The speedometer works most of the time, but when it doesn't it could cause a problem. I went to Florida a few weeks ago, looked down at the speedometer and it said I was going 35 mph. I was going with the flow of traffic, which the speed limit at that point was 65 mph. It kept reading wrong the whole way to my destination. Another time a week or two after the Florida trip I was going down the freeway and it said I was going 110 mph. Again, I was going with the flow of traffic at 65 to 70 mph. This seems to be a problem!
Shortly after purchasing (10/2009) my 2004 Trailblazer I noticed the battery warning light was 'glowing'. Not actually 'on', but not off either. I had my mechanic check it out. He said my battery was fine and the alternator was working properly. He 'suggested' it was an issue with the instrument panel and to ignore it. So I did.
About a year ago, 2012, the battery light finally stopped glowing and now my ABS and Airbag Warning lights are constantly on. I had those items check, and again, fine, don't worry about it.
In 09/2013, my instrument panel went completely dark. Although alarming to not know how fast I was going, I was extremely careful to make sure I was in the correct gear, as that portion did not light up either. This went on for about a week and then all the lights came back on. This on-again, off-again issue persisted for another couple of weeks, then stopped as mysteriously as it started.
Now, I am left with only the ABS and Airbag Warning lights being constantly on. I have learned to live with this, but what kind of resale value can I expect when I am ready to get a new vehicle?
I agree completely and GM should issue a recall.
Update from Jul 26, 2014: 07/26/2014 - now that I do not work at home and my truck is not constantly parked in the garage, the instrument panel works correctly about 90% of the time!
My garage has very little ventilation. Could this mean this is a humidity issue?
This issues isn't an emergency but, is annoying. The part is pretty cheap if you can fix it or have someone fix it. You do not want to have a mechanic order it, will be a ridiculous amount of money. I purchased the kit of gauges off of Amazon for less than $20 bucks. About to install soon, just have to find the money. I have researched it and it seems like a pretty easy fix, you just have to take the alternator out to get to the area you need to work in.
I have seen this problem quite a bit from others. The motors that run the gauges go bad. I only have 3 out of 6 gauges working and the ones working are not the ones I really need. My speedometer, fuel, and oil pressure gauge have failed. The tach, battery volts, and engine temp all work but that is it. It's $500 for a whole new cluster ($200-part and most places charge a core fee like a battery but its about $300). This is a terrible problem and they should have been recalled.
Well, where to start? First my speedometer will stop working and say I'm going 120 mph as I am stopped at a light or just got done driving it. Then my headlights will stop working, first it will be the driver side, then the passenger side will go out. The only way to get it to go back and reset is to unhook the battery and reconnect it after a few seconds. Not to mention that now I have a heater knob that isn't working, it works on setting one through four and five isn't even working. this needs to be fixed asap cause I can't afford to fix this problem. I see that GM doesn't want to address the problem.
This is my first chevrolet, 04 trail blazer. It was my wife's Ideal! after a year or so the dash gagues went crazy she could not tell how fast she was going, rpms, heat all other gagues. I call the chevy place and told him the problem, he said 'I know whats wrong, the dash needs replacing, I sell one about every week'. How much are they, I asked. "$480.00 and about $100.00 to install it'. Smoke came out of both ears. Being on a limited income, $600.00 is almost my monthly check. So I Bought my wife a Tom Tom for $80.00 so she could tell how fast she's going. Next thing, about 18 months later the battery went out, I didn't mind buying a $75.00 battery, thats part of life. But, after changing the battery all of the heat and air controls went into Froot Loop land. I call and '$80.00 for putting it on the machine plus parts'. To make a long story short I am driving the junky chev.(that nothing works on) and my wife's driving my Honda. When I find a Ford that I want it's by by chev. I know cars tears up, thier man made. But, to put cheap parts on cars and then want the people to pay $600.00 to replace the cheap parts is not exceptable.If a snake bites you once shame on the snake, if it bites you twice shame on you!
I started my truck one day and the battery gauge was registering way high. I drove on to work and never had a problem with the truck running or starting, but the gauge just kept going up. I parked it and when I left that day it was back to normal. Over the next couple of weeks it was registering past the red. I took it and had it looked at and had my battery checked. They replaced the battery, which pisses me off now because there was nothing wrong with the one I had. It of course did not fix the problem. I let it go but over the next few weeks I got in and started the truck and still parked in my driveway my speedometer said I was going 90 mph. Being the smart ass I am I reached over and grabbed my husband and yelled hang on we're going to crash!! When I showed him what I was talking about he finally accepted the fact that I was not crazy and something must be wrong with the dash panel. You never knew which instrument gauge was going to act up. I looked on-line and found out the only thing that would fix it is replacing the entire dash panel with another piece of sh*t dash panel and never know how long it will be before that one goes out!!
My Speedometer and Gas gauge do not work. It says I am going 120mph when parked and my tank is full when the gauge is under the E mark and the gauge goes in the opposite direction.
the dealership wants $500 to replace the entire instrument cluster. I just jammed a gps in the steering column. now i have a speedometer and navigation. As for the gas I discovered the low fuel light still works properly.
I had it looked at and was told for speedometer not working it needed instrument cluster which would cost $500. I am waiting due to price. I have been told this is a big problem for 2004 Trailblazer's. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE!
I bought the Trailblazer everything was great couple of months later the ignition switch went out after that was fixed I noticed the tachometer wasn't working..then the speedometer jumped up to 30 mph while I was sitting still so I brought in as it was under warranty and of course the problem went away but they said to me that they had problems with the pick-ups but not the trailblazers. Then everything was normal for a while until warranty was gone and every gauge except the temp quit working. I called the local news Call 3 for action and I may have some results..I should know something this week so I will keep you informed
Well, I just bought this piece of junk, and I feel like I was suckered and pushed into this deal. When I drove it off the lot, the CD player did not work, but they replaced that. Maybe two weeks, after I got the car, the engine light came on, and now will not go off. then the oil pressure gauge started messing up, and it stays buried above 80, and does not come down. Now to beat it all, my speedometer is stuck on 60, and will not come down. I think Cheverolet makes crap for cars, this car does not even have 100,000 miles and it should not be doing this. If cheverolet can not make better cars, they should close their doors. I am a mother of three boys, I am on disability, and I do not have the money to get this fixed, and they said I cannot trade in for at least another year, but it don't look like this is going to last that long, and it is the only means of transportation I have. I am pissed, and would like to know if anyone has any suggestions on how I can deal with this problem. My thought is is to wrap the damn thing around a tree.
Just bought this truck used last month. Drove it for 2 days and started having problems. I was on the interstate doing 70 with the cruise control on and suddenly the cruise went off and the service engine soon light came on. It was chugging and the tach and speedo weren't working right. I took it back to the dealer and they fixed the engine problem (spark plugs and a clock spring) and the gauges were back to normal. Drove it over the weekend on the interstate again, cruising at 70 and again, the gauges stopped working properly. I've been researching this problem and have noticed a ton of complaints about this. My piece of crap pontiac grand am had 80,000 more miles and never had problems like this. I've found used replacement parts for less than $200. I even found a site that you can ship the entire gauge cluster to and they will fix it for $150. I think GM should foot the bill and give me a loaner car while they do it.
Once this car hit 40,000 miles it has been one thing after the other. Rotors only last 20,000 miles before rusting and warping. this is a common problem for all GM. I am on set 3, Tranny lines rusted through at 42,000 miles. Gas tank filler leak at 46,000 was replaced under extended warranty. shifter cable stretched out and required replacing under extended warranty (thank god for the extended warranty but it ran out in August. Heater rheostat burned out at 48,000 milres, another common problem with GM trucks/SUV. Now the Tach is working erratically and GM wants $500 to replace the dash cluster as you cannot service the gauges separately.
this is an extra clean low mileage car I bought new and the dealer tells me I have problems because I do not drive it enough? What am I supposed to do--move farther away from work? I have owned Chevy's and GM since 1965 but they have degraded to junk Time to switch allegiance..
Good unit other than the problem with the gauges. I hope no one gets hurt with this problem. Don't know how fast I am going, Don't know if I have oil pressure, Don't know how warm the motor is? If some one does get hurt I hope they sue the ass off GM!
Would be nice if they recalled and fixed the problem!
gauge cluster was replaced twice by the dealer now that the Trailblazer is out of warranty temp gauge is now acting up on third instrument gauge cluster, when will they ever recall this problem.
First the tach pegged out now the oil pressure gage did the same thing. Was told it would cost $600.00+ to repair. Sounds like this is a real problem with this vehicle. I just hope I never do lose oil pressure!!!!!!
Bought a used 2004 Trailblazer at 6PM and at 10PM, on the way home, I already started having my first problem with it! The second time behind the wheel, the speedometer stopped working and the "Service Engine" light illuminated simultaneously. I haven't had the vehicle as of 6 hours of this writing and I'm already having to search the internet about problems with it. Not good. Granted, I did buy it with high miles on it (150k) however, its disappointing to know that this is a common problem with this year range of this brand/model. Either two things are forthcoming: 1. A future speeding ticket because I don;t know how fast I'm going -OR- 2. I shell out $500+ to have it repaired. NOT looking forward to either one of those options knowing that I JUST got the damn thing.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought the car in July. The battery gauge was not working. Then the oil temp stopped. Then the speedometer started acting up. I went to the Chevy dealer and they suggested a $160.00 diagnosis and then if they replaced the cluster gauge $685.00. I called the GMC dealer who suggested a local company that could repair the cluster. $Paid 275.00 2 hr job.
- Alison S., San Ramon, CA, US