Is the fuel gauge removable from the instrument cluster?

a lot of vehicles are like this. I wasn't sure if our trucks did or not. Why would it be a fatal flaw?

 

perhaps take the cluster apart and see if there’s something mechanically binding the needle, and very the resistance while energizing the cluster. The problem could be with the wiring between the tank and the gauge cluster so buying a new cluster might not fix your issue. I’d start off to take an ohm reading right at the instrument cluster connectors that connect to the back of the cluster and verify it’s correct.

 

Because as we see here there are numerous parts of the gauge that can fail warranting a full cluster replacement. To me it makes more sense that the mileage is stored somewhere else, like in the ecu, and is simply displayed on the cluster.

 

i guess so, mileage before digital were all stored on the gauge cluster though and relatively complicated compared to other functions, granted they are adding more functions into the clusters as time goes on. There are companies that rebuild gauge clusters for a small fee. I sent mine off to get rebuilt on my ford to avoid buying a used one and the mileage be off. The same argument could be made for the ECM if it was stored there, lots to go wrong probably even more so than the gauge cluster.

 

I also thought that if you have proper records the dealer can reprogram the mileage to match on any vehicle.

perhaps consider shipping the cluster to these fellows, they fixed my ford gauge cluster about 2 years ago and it’s still chugging along.

https://circuitboardmedics.com/car-truck-instrument-cluster-repair/

 

Many vehicles only store the mileage in the cluster, it's not a huge deal you just have to document it when the cluster is replaced so it can be programmed to the new one.
With the proper scan tool you can verify gauge movement by commanding it to various positions.

 

OP, have you checked resistance at the cluster?
I mean, it can’t hurt since you are already pulling it anyways?
Maybe you have a wire/connection?

 

The problem MIGHT be with the stepper motor that drives the fuel gage pointer (perhaps a damaged gear tooth on the output gear that prevents it from rotating past a certain spot?)

That said, it could be very difficult to find a replacement motor... but not necessarily impossible. You might try finding an old cluster and removing one from it, or if you know anyone who works at Denzo, they might be able to scrounge one for you.

Of course, once you have a replacement motor, you need to be able to disassemble the cluster, remove the bad motor without cracking the PCB, and then putting the new motor in, then reassemble the cluster... Good luck.

 

Thats exactly what I do with my 84 CJ7! Being a Jeep of course the fuel sending unit is bad.

 

Yes, in my first post I say that it was checked at the cluster. Thanks.

 

I thought the same until I started hanging around on here. To be honest I think people brick ECUs one way or another about as often as real issues with the cluster pop up, so its kind of a 50/50 either way.

I know that Ive seen a thread on here where folks take the cluster apart like @Larzzzz mentioned, might have been for 1st gens though. Might be worth starting there. You could get lucky and have some sort of mechanical issue or jam as someone else said. Or you might be able to pull some part number off of the servo motor itself once in there.

If all else fails how much would it cost to have a new cluster programmed at the dealer?

 

@SR-71A omfg....I can see it in my head! An 8 pin chip that was hit with a purple sharpie or something. The guy swapped it and his milage shown was correct for the truck after.

It was a while ago and my post history doesn't go back far enough.

 

Is this the guy?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/odometer-reprogramming.662297/#post-23307684

 

Unfortunately new clusters are not available. An "all dealer" search from two sources said they are obsolete. We're trying to work with another used unit.

 

Post 4 is the closest to what I remember.

Thanks.

 

I was wondering if some one has came up with a solution to the fuel gage issue. I have an 05 tacoma (367,000 miles). My gage stops at 1/4 tank. I have dropped the tank and put in a new pump/sending unit thought it was fixed. Wrong. Dropped it again and checked the sending unit ohms and all checks good. I have pretty much ruled its in the dash. I did see where you can take the cluster out and send to a place to repair it and i was wondering if anyone has done it themselves?? or send it off and got it back and it fixed the issue. Thanks