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Post by kobalt on Oct 7, 2004 0:50:10 GMT -6
A gauge cluster with burnt out blubs can be an eye sore, especially in an Aurora. However, repair at the dealer is a $500+ job - $300 or so for a new cluster and 2.5 hours of labor  This 2 part guide demonstrates step-by-step gauge cluster repair for about $10 ;D ** Part 2: Cluster Repair ** Difficulty: intermediate Time required: 30-60mins Tools required: - 30watt or better soldering iron - t15 torx driver - flathead screwdriver Parts required: - Radio Shack part# 272-1154 12V bulb(s) or equivalent  Before tackling cluster disassembly make sure to it on a scratch-free surface   The gauge cluster is held together by various clips and 4 t15 screws       After removing the screws it is time to work on the clips     Some clips will require the use of a flat blade but take care not to force them   Taking the backing off reveals the circuit board   Complete disassembly requires taking gauge needles off - remember to mark their resting position  Dislodging the needles is a little tricky - try rolling the blade under the needle's base   With needles out of the way one can see the complex led/lights array   Install the disassembled gauge cluster to test which bulbs are bad  The culprits in person  When unsoldering take care not to overheat the circuit board or the silk screen will come off  The bad bulb has a crack  Radio Shack part# 272-1154 is 12V and same brightness - a great replacement   Bulbs replaced  All done! Time for another beer! To assemble follow instructions in reverse order Final thoughts: This project looked worse that it actually was - I did not hit any snags nor did anything unexpected happen. I must say that working without a proper manual can be daunting, but is exciting at the same time. We will probably never know why Oldsmobile decided to use some bulbs instead of LEDs in the gauge cluster. Until then, there is this guide to help you on your quest to a functioning gauge cluster: I hope you found it helpful and enjoyable  |
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dred98
Aurora Driver
Posts: 470 
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Post by dred98 on Oct 7, 2004 10:03:53 GMT -6
That's great stuff - complete with pictures which helps a lot. Now all you need do is find someone with a classic that has the same problem and show us that ;D - (just in case, all my bulbs are fine - for now anyway ) Exactly the kind of thing we need on the forum. |
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Post by Aurora40 on Oct 7, 2004 11:25:21 GMT -6
Wow, no way I'd have tried that without a manual. That's cool that you fixed it so easily! I can't believe they sell the whole gauge cluster as a unit replacement. Hmm, then I guess the factory manual wouldn't have helped anyway since it isn't to be disassembled for servicing. Hey, how'd you know what bulbs to use? Just guessing? The Regal has similar soldered bulbs in the climate control display that are burned out. I had it all apart but couldn't find what bulb to use. |
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Post by Marc on Oct 7, 2004 13:49:23 GMT -6
This is good info. I've got one thing to say....I think that I know why the bulbs are soldered in: to make it as hard as possible for the DIY! ________________ GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!  |
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Post by kobalt on Oct 7, 2004 16:28:34 GMT -6
Thanx guys, the good word motivates me to do more! Aurora40, Having no multimeter at hand I went to radio shack and found similar looking 12V bulbs as well as 3.2V LEDs that would fit. I tried the bulb first and it produced similar brightness - no way the 3.2V LED would survive such current. Doing some online research led me to 12V LEDs, but the lowest brightness I found was 14X that of the bulb. A blinding instrument cluster would becone annoying very quickly  , so 12V bulbs it was. The bulb part# is 272-1154 and it costs a whopping $.69 each ;D |
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Post by onehunglow on Oct 25, 2004 14:48:36 GMT -6
Just curious kobalt...
If the dealer's standard solution for burnt-out bulbs is cluster replacement, how do they handle the odometer setting?
Do they just "program" the old cluster's setting to the new cluster when they replace it? If so, doesn't this make odometer tampering very easy to do? If a dealer has this equipment then anyone can get hold of it and reset Aurora's mileage to whatever you want....
What do you know about this?
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Post by kobalt on Oct 25, 2004 14:59:51 GMT -6
Indeed - on most cars odometer tampering is as easy as changing the cluster. Most cars with electronic clusters still store the milage inside the culster itself in a memory bank. On my 95 BMW 530 one could just replace the cluster, but a red dot would light up right next to the electoronic milage display to indicate that the milage was not original. I wonder if the Aurora has such a countermeasure...
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Post by onehunglow on Oct 25, 2004 15:21:47 GMT -6
well - you would have known if a dot or something appeared since you performed the same act as changing a cluster - that is unplugging and then re-plugging one in
Funny that the car manufacturers have made it easier not harder to tamper with mileage...before, it required mechanical re-setting of odometer disks - and now someone who wants to reduce his mileage of lets say 50,000 miles can pay $350 for a new cluster (plus labor). Not bad for something that can fetch the dishonest seller THOUSANDS of dollars more for a lower mileage car.
You mention BMW - now I know that Mercedes programs the mileage in not only the odometer (and multiple computers in the car), but in the KEY also (when you bring your car to the dealer, they ask for your key, stick it in a reader and get the latest mileage. I guess thats part of the added cost of the Deutchland cars
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Post by w3rk5 on Jan 7, 2005 13:05:18 GMT -6
This is a great tutorial kobalt.  It's giving me the confidence work on my car even though it's a different car. Thanks. |
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Post by kobalt on Jan 7, 2005 15:12:00 GMT -6
Im glad you enjoyed the toutorial. I decided to create some write-up to prove that seemingly daunting tasks are not always so and to encourage folks to DIY. Stay tuned for more soon.
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urbandaddy
Aurora Watcher
University of Calgary Mens Soccer
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Post by urbandaddy on Jun 12, 2005 23:56:18 GMT -6
Thats awesome, but I'll sell the car if a bulb burns out!
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Post by Custom88 on Jun 13, 2005 10:41:00 GMT -6
Thats awesome, but I'll sell the car if a bulb burns out! why would you do that?   |
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Post by macadamiaman on Jun 13, 2005 10:57:50 GMT -6
A bulb is going to burn out at one point or another. You would lose more money via depreciation selling the car, then you would if you just paid a few hundred to replace the gauge cluster (as opposed to the repair). Though I sense that you're not serious anyway... |
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urbandaddy
Aurora Watcher
University of Calgary Mens Soccer
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Post by urbandaddy on Jun 14, 2005 16:06:22 GMT -6
It was a little joke guys. I'll end up selling the car in the next 2 years anyways.
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Post by dansws6 on Oct 16, 2006 21:05:08 GMT -6
how come i can not view any pics under directions?
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Post by norbi on Oct 17, 2006 16:32:19 GMT -6
same thing i cant see pictures and today the dash light went out and will have to remove the dash and cant see pictures.
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Post by omegaic on Oct 21, 2006 3:04:41 GMT -6
Sorry guys, we just changed webhosts so it'll be a couple more days before all of mine and kobalt's pictures are back up!
edit: Okay, should be back up now. Sorry for the delay!
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Post by kbpickle on Oct 21, 2006 16:37:28 GMT -6
Please excuse my ignorance, but....
For those of us who have never touched a soldering tool, should we practice on something else before attempting repairs in the instrument cluster?
Is there any special technique to "unsoldering"?
I'd like to try this myself on my 2001, having just declined the dealership's price quote for the repairs.
Ken
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Post by aurorabrain on Oct 21, 2006 16:42:58 GMT -6
Just curious kobalt... If the dealer's standard solution for burnt-out bulbs is cluster replacement, how do they handle the odometer setting? Do they just "program" the old cluster's setting to the new cluster when they replace it? If so, doesn't this make odometer tampering very easy to do? If a dealer has this equipment then anyone can get hold of it and reset Aurora's mileage to whatever you want.... What do you know about this? Dealers go through a GM authorized service center that only deals with dealers. Example: this is who we use www.specmo.com |
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Post by aarcuda on Nov 8, 2007 10:00:06 GMT -6
It looks like there is only 1 LED to illuminate the Tach and 1 LED to illuminate the Speedo. Is that right? Cause on my new 02 that I just picked up, it looks like there is a dead bulb at the top of the tach but the sides of the tach is illuminated fine. But if there is only 1 LED for the tach, it doesnt make sense (unless the sides are being illuminated by some other LED off to the sides of the tach.
anyone know?
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Post by rocketman on Nov 9, 2007 19:20:40 GMT -6
There has to be more than one. My speedo has the lower lft corner out only. I don't have the courage to try the fix just yet and normally I don't shy away from anything...........
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Post by Custom88 on Aug 22, 2009 17:57:02 GMT -6
I did this fix today on my 2002 Aurora. Looking back after thinking about it a bit, I am on the fence about doing this. It took me around two hours total from tear-down, to re-assembly, but the biggest thing is that the gauges are calibrated a certain way from the factory and there is NOT any 100% sure way to make sure you get the gauge needles back on exactly as they were before. Even being as careful as possible I get the feeling my speedometer is probably 2-3 MPH off now. There are six lights lighting up the gauge cluster in all. I had to replace one, but upon investigation, nearly all the bulbs look like they're nearing the end of their usable life. I fear that many more bulbs will burn out in a relatively short amount of time. I didn't have the courage to change out ALL of them (nor the time.) The old bulb was a PITA to get off while being very careful.  |
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Post by Marc on Aug 22, 2009 19:14:14 GMT -6
As for me, if I ever have to do this, I'd get a new cluster.
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Post by brynbetts on Apr 4, 2013 13:06:11 GMT -6
A few of mine arent lighting up but when i use my electric meter, all of my bulbs are reading. Is there a fuse?
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Post by smiggyg on Jun 10, 2013 11:05:21 GMT -6
My gauge lights are fine on my 2002 Aurora but the digital odometer does not light up at all. Is there anything I can do to? Or should I just replace the whole cluster?
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XJSman89
Administrator 
Posts: 6,309
Staff Member
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Post by XJSman89 on Jun 10, 2013 11:37:03 GMT -6
A few of mine arent lighting up but when i use my electric meter, all of my bulbs are reading. Is there a fuse? Try swapping a bulb you know is working into one of the bad slots. If you know the bulb works when you put it in and it doesn't light up you have a problem with the cluster. All of those lights for the cluster will be on one fuse so if some are lighting up and others aren't then it is most likely a bulb. |
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XJSman89
Administrator
Posts: 6,309
Staff Member
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Post by XJSman89 on Jun 10, 2013 11:38:10 GMT -6
My gauge lights are fine on my 2002 Aurora but the digital odometer does not light up at all. Is there anything I can do to? Or should I just replace the whole cluster? I'm not as familiar with the 2G, I can't help you there. So there's a digital portion? Interesting. It may just be a solder joint behind the cluster or something of the sort. |
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buck91
Aurora Watcher
Posts: 98
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Post by buck91 on Mar 11, 2014 6:09:57 GMT -6
My gauge lights are fine on my 2002 Aurora but the digital odometer does not light up at all. Is there anything I can do to? Or should I just replace the whole cluster? I, too have this issue. Any thoughts? |
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plato442
Aurora Driver
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Oldsmobile...
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Post by plato442 on Mar 12, 2014 5:27:51 GMT -6
Thats awesome, but I'll sell the car if a bulb burns out! That's weak sauce |
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Post by crocodileguy on Aug 26, 2017 19:30:43 GMT -6
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This 2 part guide demonstrates step-by-step gauge cluster repair for about $10 ;D
, so 12V bulbs it was. The bulb part# is 272-1154 and it costs a whopping $.69 each ;D
It's giving me the confidence work on my car even though it's a different car. Thanks.
