Hello, i have an 03 d max here recently when i go to start truck dash gauges will not work. truck starts fine. i will turn off and try again sometimes gauges will work and it may take a third try. I have not had a chance to check batteries yet. any suggestions. please post. thanks randy

03's have gauge cluster issues. They will fix it under warranty. If you're out of warranty you can buy a custom from JB Customs (vendor on here). My Tach stops working after about 40 minutes driving too. Im just too cheap to replace it (not that the tach is all that important on a automatic)

There is a guy on Ebay who fixes the stepper motor thing for 119.00 and has a FAST 3 day turnaround, from what I have read on here..........

Read this, post #3

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117236

Carl just did mine and it works like a champ!

His problem is most likely the batteries. Have them tested. If your trucks under warranty, they have a reflash that should help.

I second the Battery vote.

Didn't we just have a thread on this?

I have an 03 also. . . . mine does the same thing. . . better restart has never fixed mine. if I let it go, it would drain the batteries. if I disconnect the batteries & reconnect. all is well. just purchased a new instrament cluster from USS Speedo. . . . but have to wait for the kid's to give it to me for xmas. . . . havent got around to replacing the batteries. . . . but I'm sure they need to be.

There's TSB for 03 problems:
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35776&highlight=gauges+TSB

I'm still waiting on the guys who had dealers fix the clusters after their warranty expired come back and report what they found out.

I've been too lazy to buy Carl's service and get my cluster fixed. I've got to get that done.

I second the Battery vote.

Didn't we just have a thread on this?


Yes we have.

Here it is.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116593

.

Yes we have.

Here it is.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116593

.

:lol: #7?


I guess 2003/04 cluster problems should be another sticky thread....

My 2003 does the same thing and new batteries did not fix the problem. I think I do have some small electrical problem though because the clock on my radio reset yesterday morning upon startup but my cluster worked. Anybody know what that could be related to? Anyway, what I've been doing for the past week and has made my cluster work every time on the first start is to hold my key in the start position for a split second after then engine has started instad of letting go of the key immediately as the engine turns over as I normally do. It may just be a fluke that mine has continued working since I've been starting that way but in the past my cluster has been dead 2 or 3 times a week on the first start up without holding the key a little longer like I've started doing. Just a thought........

Edit: The TSB states that a re-flash is 0.4 hours of work. About what should this cost to have done at a dealership?

Thanks for the response. it good to know how to get good information about problems that come up. I checked batteries they checked good every since I did a battery disconnect gauges have been fine. but I suspect a bad or weak battery and cold weather. thanks again randy s