Instrument cluster wiring diagrams?

Tiny
RAPTOR13
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
Recently my instrument cluster started acting weird. It will be fine and then hit a bump or vibration and the gauges go wild. Speedometer goes up and down, others jump around. This happens for a little while and then they straighten up until a bump is hit again. What's wrong? Short or cluster bad?
Sunday, November 7th, 2010 AT 8:56 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
It sounds like the cluster is bad you can send it out to have it rebuilt here is a video showing you how to remove the cluster. This is common problem. Also check the grounds for the cluster as well. Here is a guide and the instrument cluster wiring diagrams below.

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
RAPTOR13
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  • 4 POSTS
I went through TSB on-line and found nothing. Is there another source to go through? Why does it correct itself? When the truck is stationary there is not problem.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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There have been many problems with them and its because there is no vibration and no VSS sensor input.

Joe
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 10:04 AM
Tiny
DCAMARO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I had a problem with my dash(the gauges were all over the place) I found it was the cluster ground wire broken at the back of the right engine head. I simply re-grounded it at an other location. This wire quite often breaks from age or does not get bolted back on if there is head work done as it is tought to get at and even harder to see. Reach down behind the head and feel around to find the bolt with a wire eyelet on the head and one or two black wires.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
RAPTOR13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How hard is the ground wire to find? Are you talking about the engine block when you call at the head?
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
DCAMARO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The ground wiire for the dash comes from the dash plug, through the firewall on the left side and over to the right side behnd the engine. It is connected to the back of the engine head. You probably wont be able to see it, but if you put your hand between the firewall and the head you should be able to find the wires. I dont why the dash is grounded to the engine, and of all places here, but I just connected a piece of wire and ran it to the front of the engine and grounded it to the block.
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Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
THe ground requirements are high for the cluster. Other than going directly to the battery, the engine block has the best ground.
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
RAPTOR13
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Traced wires out of the firewall but didn't see the ground. Will it be black? When I find it can I take it straight to the battery?
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
DCAMARO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
If I remember correctly there are two black wires which break out of the harness and are about 8 inches long. Jacobandnickolas, said that you could ground them to the battery.
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
BCUTTER65
  • MEMBER
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This worked for me. Wires are in a plastic sheath and were just hanging there. Added a length of wire and a connector and grounded to an easily accessible bolt. Bingo! All gauges now working properly
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Saturday, July 11th, 2015 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
APERRADO21
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • 220,000 MILES
I am trying to take out of my Chevrolet 1990 moonie cluster and put one of silverado 1994 but need diagramas of two cluster to know how to rewire it.
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
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Hello, I'm Danny.

Here is the information you requested. This is a tutorial showing how to test electrical wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I've attached the 1990 and 1994 Chevrolet truck instrument cluster wiring diagrams below. I've cut the pictures in half so you can view larger. You will not have to splice wires to make this work but instead you will have to re-pin, relocate wires around in the connector to make the '94 style cluster work. I know a lot about the '88-98 body style as I've owned a few myself. Just an FYI is if you get a '91 cluster with the newer needle style display it also has an RPM gauge and is completely plug-n-play requiring no rewiring. I was in the process of doing this until my '89 K1500 got stolen. I was getting rid of my moonies and putting in a '91 cluster with needle style and RPM gauge. Attached a picture below. Let us know if you have any other questions about this. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
APERRADO21
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thank you very much!
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
You're welcome!
Let us know if you have any further questions on this issue and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
APERRADO21
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay, I got the rare 1991 cluster with tachometer, but when I installed it the only thing that come out is the seat belt light, do I need to move wires or make something to make the cluster work?
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Friday, July 23rd, 2021 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
APERRADO21
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The first are the moonies 1990
The second the new needles with tach 1991
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Friday, July 23rd, 2021 AT 10:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I noticed it has been a few days since we made contact. Has any progress been made?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, July 26th, 2021 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I would be happy to help, but I have a favor to ask. We try to keep the threads specific to one type, model, year, and topic. I would be happy to get the info, but would you consider starting a new thread for a 1990 or 1991? This post was for a 2000.

We try to keep the topics specific, so they are more helpful to others. I hope you understand.

Here is the link to start a new post. Simply copy and paste your question into the new thread and someone will be there to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Again, I hope you understand.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, December 26th, 2022 AT 9:07 PM

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