Instrument Panel Cluster - Spedometer

After losing my spedometer on two trips last week (thankfully we had a TomTom GPS system with us to tell us our actual speed) we took our 2004 blazer to the shop ---

The blame: the instrument panel cluster. After looking over the internet, several blazers have had the same problem. Chevrolet currently has a "special coverage" on certain Avalaches, Suburbans and others to cover the cost of repair/replacement of the IPC. They currently are not including the trailblazers.

I have seen on other forums to call Chevrolet customer service with your complaint if you are having this problem.

I did call customer service --- I indicated to her of our problem and that I had heard of other trailblazers having this problem (as I had read on the internet). She did ask me the name of the dealership that we took our trailblazer in for service. She immediately called the dealership after talking to me and told them "blazers did not have this problem" --- kinda embarssing as the dealership was not who told me about other blazers having this problem ---

Chevrolet customer service will be calling me back tomorrow. Will be interesting to hear what they say.

My spedometer was acting a bit funny as well, it does not show the right speed. If I am going 70Km, it will show 40-45km. Does anyone know what this could be?

Thanks.

We had the instrument panel replaced. Even at idle the spedometer was showing we were going 45 miles per hour.

$350 to have the Instrument Panel Cluster replaced.

Chevrolet Customer Service apologized for the inconvenience - at only 36,000 miles - they though it was a shame. They logged the information in their file and said if there was ever a "special" coverage for blazers (like the avalanches, etc.) they would get a hold of us.

If you are having similar problems. Call Chevrolet Customer Service and get your name.

Anybody with any cluster problems just wanted to let you know to check out ebay and search by seller name: speedometer_repair_service

Used this guy to repair my cluster as well as about 5 of my friends with the chevy clusters that are failing. He is cheaper then getting a replacement cluster from the dealer. You ship your cluster to him and he totally rebuilds the cluster replacing all the stepper motors and bulbs while the cluster is out and then he bench tests it on a computer to make sure everything is working properly. Highly recommend him. Take a look at his info on ebay.

I think GM should cover any speedometer/ip replacements, as there was a big lawsuit over it a year or so ago.

I've also had the gauges go bad in my 04 Trailblazer. The dealer wanted 540.00 to replace the whole cluster, needless to say I passed. While researching, I found this guy on Ebay selling a set of 6 stepper motors for 39.50 - http://stores.ebay.com/Digital-Speedometer-Repair-Service

I just installed these in less than an hour and now everything works! If you can solder, you can do this and save a boatload......


Mike