Gauge Cluster Failure - CHEAP(ER) FIX

[fakemessiah23]

Hello, Anyone encountering this issue.

Like many, I started having an issue where the gauge cluster would not display any information. The cluster would remain backlit most often and would intermittently display cluster information. I reached out to my local dealers, who all said the same thing: $800 for the unit plus labor, and while they waited for the part, they would have to keep my Jeep because of mileage/odometer reading.

In my search for a more affordable option, considering the cost of $1,200 for out-of-warranty work, I discovered where at least one of my local dealers sends and receives units, UnitedRadio. I reached out, although their website looks to focus on dealership/ shop work. After emailing them and receiving a quote for $210 plus any necessary replacement parts, I promptly received a shipping label to ship them my unit. They contacted me 3 business days after tracking showed my cluster was delivered to them to tell me it was completed. I paid over the phone and awaited the return of my unit. A day later, I received the fully functional unit. My odometer reading remains accurate, and all functions operate correctly.


So again, in short, UnitedRadio fixed my non-functional gauge cluster for a fraction of the dealership's cost, and I would argue my truck was down for less time than if I asked the dealership to fix it.

- Cheers

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[Hootbro]

Nice!

Did they given any detail info of what they found and repaired?

 

[fakemessiah23]

Admittedly, I didn’t ask.
I imagine a loose connection or something considering it appears nothing is reset(?) but I don’t know.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I wonder if they fixed it - or moved your miles to a reman unit as that's pretty much what they do, and sent you a replacement and then will rebuild yours and someone else will get that one.
I don't know if they repair the exact same unit - or if it's an exchange thing and they simply transfer the mileage.

In any case, either way, I'd not care as long as I received a fully functional unit at a fraction of the cost, direct from the people that do it.
When a dealership replaces something like the radio, for example - it's reman, from people like them, not a new one. You don't get new electronics of that sort in most cases. Even people that say "I got a new transmission" - they need to look hard at the bar code sticker and part number - bet it's not new.

the bottom line- betcha you saved a few people a few hundred bucks with that experience and sharing it.

 

[fakemessiah23]

Sadly, I realized, after the fact, I should have marked it to know if it was, in fact, mine coming back or not. Especially with the turnaround time to get a new one, a reman would make sense, rather than them fixing mine.

But as you say it matters not, I have a functional cluster at such a reduced cost than those marked-up dealer prices plus their install fees.

I hope they continue to offer the service to individuals.

 

[GRAN1TE JT]

You are an absolute life saver!
I just called and they were very helpful. I thought it would be some big corporate company that’s hard to get in touch with, but right away a woman answered the phone and explained it all to me! She sent me a label to use to ship it out so within the next few days I will. I live in a different part of New York, and they’re in Syracuse so they should get it rather quickly. I verified my part number for the cluster and they said they can fix it. $210 flat fee and apparently they’ll get it done for me! I’ll keep you guys updated. This is potentially a huge win for all of us out of warranty!!

 

[GRAN1TE JT]

Oh and they provide a one year warranty!

 

[GRAN1TE JT]

Well guys, in case anyone is interested……
MY GAUGE CLUSTER WORKS NOW!! Woohoo!

United Radio is amazing! I sent my cluster to them Thursday afternoon, they got it Friday afternoon. They called me Monday morning and said it was good to go! They shipped it yesterday and I got it the next day! Plugged it in and it’s working like new! Cost $210 plus tax with free shipping (they provided me a prepaid label). They told me the screen had to be replaced. I bet saved AT LEAST around $1000 compared to going to the dealership.

 

[me_ccie]

Hello, Anyone encountering this issue.

Like many, I started having an issue where the gauge cluster would not display any information. The cluster would remain backlit most often and would intermittently display cluster information. I reached out to my local dealers, who all said the same thing: $800 for the unit plus labor, and while they waited for the part, they would have to keep my Jeep because of mileage/odometer reading.

In my search for a more affordable option, considering the cost of $1,200 for out-of-warranty work, I discovered where at least one of my local dealers sends and receives units, UnitedRadio. I reached out, although their website looks to focus on dealership/ shop work. After emailing them and receiving a quote for $210 plus any necessary replacement parts, I promptly received a shipping label to ship them my unit. They contacted me 3 business days after tracking showed my cluster was delivered to them to tell me it was completed. I paid over the phone and awaited the return of my unit. A day later, I received the fully functional unit. My odometer reading remains accurate, and all functions operate correctly.


So again, in short, UnitedRadio fixed my non-functional gauge cluster for a fraction of the dealership's cost, and I would argue my truck was down for less time than if I asked the dealership to fix it.

- Cheers

Thank You for the direction. How quickly did they respond? It sounds like the process is very simple. What was the turnaround time?

 

[fakemessiah23]

Responded in 24 hours, turnaround time was quick about 5 business days.

 

[me_ccie]

Well guys, in case anyone is interested……
MY GAUGE CLUSTER WORKS NOW!! Woohoo!

United Radio is amazing! I sent my cluster to them Thursday afternoon, they got it Friday afternoon. They called me Monday morning and said it was good to go! They shipped it yesterday and I got it the next day! Plugged it in and it’s working like new! Cost $210 plus tax with free shipping (they provided me a prepaid label). They told me the screen had to be replaced. I bet saved AT LEAST around $1000 compared to going to the dealership.

I just gave them a call and the quote was the same $210. I need to ship the cluster out to them via
UPS or FedEX. Unfortunately, I'm in California so shipping will be a bit expensive (don't want to wait for ground). The brightside is, it'll still be a lot less than if I go through the StealerShip.

Thank you to everyone on this thread!!!

 

[me_ccie]

I wonder if they fixed it - or moved your miles to a reman unit as that's pretty much what they do, and sent you a replacement and then will rebuild yours and someone else will get that one.
I don't know if they repair the exact same unit - or if it's an exchange thing and they simply transfer the mileage.

In any case, either way, I'd not care as long as I received a fully functional unit at a fraction of the cost, direct from the people that do it.
When a dealership replaces something like the radio, for example - it's reman, from people like them, not a new one. You don't get new electronics of that sort in most cases. Even people that say "I got a new transmission" - they need to look hard at the bar code sticker and part number - bet it's not new.

the bottom line- betcha you saved a few people a few hundred bucks with that experience and sharing it.

The mileage is stored on the gauge cluster and not on the main computer?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The mileage is stored on the gauge cluster and not on the main computer?

At least two places. There's more than one "main computer" - there's the BCM, which is the body control module and believe it or not has a lot of stuff people don't think of as "body related", the PCM, etc.
But yeah, it's in the cluster for actual vehicle miles based on tire rotations and tire circumference stored in the BCM.
There's other places - but those don't match for some reason.
If you need the cluster replaced or repaired, the mileage needs to be put back in the cluster.

 

[me_ccie]

At least two places. There's more than one "main computer" - there's the BCM, which is the body control module and believe it or not has a lot of stuff people don't think of as "body related", the PCM, etc.
But yeah, it's in the cluster for actual vehicle miles based on tire rotations and tire circumference stored in the BCM.
There's other places - but those don't match for some reason.
If you need the cluster replaced or repaired, the mileage needs to be put back in the cluster.

Thanks for the quick response. My cluster was sent in for repair to United Radio. I'm driving around without the cluster right now. I hope I'm not messing anything up.

 

[Hootbro]

Thanks for the quick response. My cluster was sent in for repair to United Radio. I'm driving around without the cluster right now. I hope I'm not messing anything up.

You will just have mismatch between the PCM and cluster.

Will not be readily evident unless someone has a reason to scan your PCM and takes note of it. There is risk for future warranty denile and possible branded title if found on any state vehicle inspection.

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