Hello,
I have two lights out in the guage cluster of my 03 silverado. I have found a local guy that will solder in new lights if I remove my cluster. My question is: Will it retain the information (mileage etc) for a couple days while I have the cluster out to get the lights replaced. On the same note, does the computer retain the mileage information? If I were to just buy a new cluster will the computer tell the cluster what the mileage is? Thanks a bunch!!
Mike

Yes, the cluster will remember the info in it. The TBCM and PCM also know mileage, but they do not update the cluster. If you buy a new cluster, it will read 0 miles unless programmed with your current miles, which I think can only be done at GM's authorized radio/cluster places. Your local dealer could send it in for you, but you may need some legal stuff depending on where you live. I believe a new cluster would set a loss of communication code, but probably no idiot light, because the clusters also know the VIN of your truck (and VIN must be programmed when replaced).

The mileage info is in the cluster, if you remove it for a couple of days or months or years and put it back it will read the same mileage as when you took it out.

If you buy a new cluster it will have zero miles and thats what the odometer will read. The cluster is plug and play as long as it's for the right year truck, no codes to worry about and everything works.

Some places, like JP Customs that's a vendor here, sell new clusters that he can have reprogrammed with your old mileage into the cluster and then shipped to you and you will pick up right where you left off, mileage wise if you want.

The new clusters don't need to be programmed for VIN's and I don't believe the mileage is stored anywhere else besides the cluster because I have changed mine a couple of times and also swapped my ECM's a few times with no type of mileage codes set. I don't know if a Tech2 can dig into the BCM or anywhere else to find a mileage problem. No one has ever mentioned being able to find mileage anywhere else.

Maybe the truck's hour meter might also be stored in the ECM or BCM and that might not jive with the cluster.

Here's my cluster that I installed from JP, the cluster shows about 8,000 miles but the truck actually has about 30,000 miles

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garage_images/i8638.jpg

Good luck

DD

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yeah ive always heard that hours and/or miles were also stored in the ECM, but ive full flashed my ECM dozens of times, swapped ECM's etc and nothing has happend....I think hours/miles are only stored in the cluster...

Okay thanks a bunch guys.... doesn't that make odometer fraud super easy on these trucks if they are only stored in the cluster???

yes :)

Miles are stored in other modules, a Tech II can read that. Reflashes do not affect stored miles in those. Yes, the odo will read whatever the cluster says, but IF someone decides to be nosy with a TechII, they can find out. The easiest cars for fraud I know of are late Cavaliers. Miles are only stored in the cluster, you can buy a new one, when installed it reads 0, or you can program any number you want with the TechII. Don't ask how I know (I've never owned or sold one myself).

how do you check with a Tech 2? I didnt think you could. Not doubting you, im just curious cause ive dug around in my truck thru everything with my Tech 2 and did not find miles anywhere. I dont think you can program XXXXX miles with a Tech 2 can you? I wish there was a way so if I ever got a new cluster, I could update the miles myself.

another thing is the hours.......my cluster was warranteed at like 5000 miles, and they reprogrammed the mileage in, but the hours started at zero...id like to re set the hours back to what they were if possible.....but i didnt think you could do that with a Tehc 2? :confused:

ben

Okay thanks a bunch guys.... doesn't that make odometer fraud super easy on these trucks if they are only stored in the cluster???

Just as easy as it has always been.

Nothing ever stopped someone from rolling back the odometer or even changing the speedo/odometer altogether from the older cars and trucks.

Some one had a software program that you can install on a laptop, plug the laptop into your aldl port and reset your mileage to what ever you want without even taking the cluster out. I don't remember the website but there was a link around here somewhere last year or the year before to the website for the software seller.

The Tech2 can't reset the odometer.

I'd also like to know what other modules the mileage is stored in.

Can't be the ECM or BCM, those are too easy to change along with the cluster.

Security module maybe ?

DD

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you have bcm body control module that stores all the things like the fog lights milage and all that driver read out all that good stuff


seperate from an ecm

you have bcm body control module that stores all the things like the fog lights milage and all that driver read out all that good stuff


seperate from an ecm

not to argue....but no I dont think it does.

if you take one apart there isnt even a flash chip on it...just a PROM chip to remember the firmware/software.

milage and hours are only stored in cluster NO WERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!

they are reprogramed using a tech2 and the GM SPS software that you load into your laptop [same software used to fix vins, and radios] gm dealers use it when their replacing bcms,pcms and ecms