During the daytime, the lights for the odometer do not turn on

Tiny
POOHHALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 GMC SIERRA
  • 3.8L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
But as soon as night arrives, they turn on.
Friday, July 8th, 2022 AT 8:14 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,414 POSTS
Try this test, turn the headlights on during the day and see if the odometer comes on then. I suspect you have a cracked solder joint on the circuit board so that the voltage that normally powers the display isn't turning it on. Then when the lights come on the power that feeds it through the dimmer control is still active. That board has a few known issues.
To see the repairs and determine if you want to do them you can look at the jeffescortlx channel on YouTube. He has numerous videos showing the common repairs to those boards and offers repair services as well.
In either case you will need to remove the panel for repair or replacement. The first step is removing the trim panel. To do that you set the parking brake (if you normally use it, if it hasn't been in normal use, block the wheels) then shift the transmission to low, tilt the steering wheel fully down and then pull the panel to release the clips. Try to remove it carefully as the plastic can get brittle with age. Then once the trim panel is off it's a simple matter to just remove the four screws that hold the panel in place and disconnect the electrical connector and remove it. Now if you plan on replacing it you will need to have access to a dealer level scan tool as the replacement dash needs to be programmed to match your vehicle. If you simply repair it that isn't needed.
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Saturday, July 9th, 2022 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
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How do you send it to jeffscortlx for repair? The cluster that odometer lights don't come on during daylight. But as soon as night arrives the odometer lights they turns on.
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Saturday, July 9th, 2022 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
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Where do you send cluster for repair?
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Saturday, July 9th, 2022 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,414 POSTS
You would remove it package it and send it. Jeff has contact information on a few videos, this one in particular has all the info you might need:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_2WnJMsZaU
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Saturday, July 9th, 2022 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
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Yes, the odometer light comes on when I turn on headlights it's only in daytime that there is no odometer lights during daylight.
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Sunday, July 10th, 2022 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,414 POSTS
IK, that would mean it's the voltage feed on the circuit board, likely a bad solder joint. You could get a soldering iron and some 60-40 solder, and reflow the resistors and the power chip like Jeff shows. It's delicate work so practice a lot before you try as it's very easy to damage the board.
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+1
Sunday, July 10th, 2022 AT 2:49 PM

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