99 STS Instrument Panel replacement?

[ewill3rd]

We get exchange clusters from Specmo. They set the mileage based on the information we give them.
Modern technology has the mileage kept track of everywhere, in the GMVIS system, dealers and other repair shops I think tell carfax, plus you get emissions tests, safety inspections... they watch that stuff.

You do have to get the mileage programmed in.
Some years they used the IPC to read the theft deterrent codes and send password signals to the PCM for engine startup. Some are plug and play. Without looking I couldn't tell you which is which.

I suspect the price includes the exchange unit and all costs plus some dealer markup, and labor. I am sure your advisor would give you a breakdown of the costs if you asked.

Symptoms can vary depending on what the failure is in the cluster. There are some things that could kill almost any module functions for something on the Class 2 data bus.
Cluster failures are not really common though. Ask them if they are wrong are they going to stand behind their diagnosis until they find the real cause or are they going to charge you more and more until they fix it.

[dirtyguido]

So if you were to buy the ebay cluster replacement, and plug it in... Would the car show the miles on the old cluster, what was in the PCM, would make sense or would the cluster just NOT work??

In my dodge durango, when the cluster was replaced, WITH an ebay cluster, the car started, the dash said no bus instead of mileage, then 20 seconds later it switched to dashed lines, then finally 10 seconds later it displayed the correct mileage.....

I think the dealer is forced to get the reprogramming done for title and odometer fraud concerns, and I dont blame them for that one bit.

but i'm wondering what would happen if you just plugged it in and turned it on.... Now, you are still legally required to disclose the actual mileage AND the fact that your mileage indicated (if it isnt) isn't the actual mileage on the car when you sell it, and it's a FELONY to lie...

Anyone have the real world answer to the question?? With a 99 STS worth about 6-7k and less than that wholesale, 1500 is too much to spend to fix something like this...

Take care,

George

[ewill3rd]

The PCM keeps track of the mileage but not really for security reasons. The IPC would show the mileage of the cluster you installed.
Most states require a mileage statement be attached to the car title and a sticker to be placed on the car to indicate that it is not the actual mileage on the vehicle.
I have had Specmo change the mileage in salvage clusters that customers have provided. I don't recall what the charge was.

If you want to go salvage, work with your dealer's parts department or Specmo (not sure if they will work directly with you or require you to go through the dealer) to get the mileage set properly in the IPC. If you are against that you'll have to see the state patrol for mileage statements (they usually manage that).

[Tom Wasko]

Specmo will work directly with consumers. For mileage sets, just call them and they will tell you what verification documents they require.

[dirtyguido]

Originally Posted by Tom Wasko

Specmo will work directly with consumers. For mileage sets, just call them and they will tell you what verification documents they require.

So they will reset a salvage console out of a boneyard or ebay etc...

Take care,

George

[Tom Wasko]

absolutely.

[Seafunk99]

UPDATE... I am the OP of this thread and to make a long story short...I sent the dash to Specmo and they exchanged it. They called to ask me the mileage. I could have told them anything I wanted but I gave them the correct mileage. No questions asked. Received it overnight, installed and it works fine with no programming. Plugged it in and drove away.

[ewill3rd]

Sweet!
Thanks for closing this one out so everyone knows.

[kdcing]

Reviving an old thread.....

Does anyone know how, specifically, to remove the vents (i.e. to get at the screws to remove the dash pad)?

I have IP037 and need to get at my AC/HVAC control unit...which I believe is part of the Intrument Panel. I've taken an old credit card to the gap around the vents, but cannot get them dislodged. Where are the holding clips located....on the top/bottom or left/right of the vents?

'93 Eldorado, 4.9L

[N*Caddy]

To get the dash pad out is a 4 minutes job (tops). I think CadillacSTS2003 told me once the vents trick. Is true he did not mentioned that you suppose to remove the inner part of the vent not the whole thing (i.e. with the frame). But once I figure that out it was a synch.
Just insert something thin and about half the height of the vent wide between the inner side of the vent and the plastic frame (not between the frame and the wood). As shown bellow, is a clip whose tip goes inside a small hole in the plastic frame. By inserting a blade between the clip will be pushed inside the vent thus releasing the vent from the frame (if I remember the clips are on each side). So insert the blade in one side and pull out about 1 mm or so, then insert the blade in the other side and it will come out from the frame very easy.
Sorry for the kinder garden level drawing bellow, is something I made in 4 minutes (or the time you need to remove the pad).
Once the vents removed, the screws are up in a 45-degree angle (just look up in on the vents). Also remember the 3 screws under the windshield defroster grill.

On the other hand, I am not sure that removing the dash pad will help you accessing the HVAC.

[tateos]

Right - I don't think removing the dash pad will help you with the AC. To remove my dash pad, I made a hook from a coat hanger that I hooked onto the vent and gently pulled while I pried the the little tabs. It is hard to get a grip on the vents, and the first time you try to get them out, they will be kind of jammed in with dirt and dust; once you clean them up and put them back in, they will be easier to get out if you need to

[kdcing]

Thanks for replies. You saved me a bunch of unneeded work....

Based on your assertions that removing the Instrument Panel Pad would not help w/ the I037 code, I researched a bit further and found that the IP Cluster was not the immediate probable root cause, but more likely the Air Conditioner Programmer (ACP). Checking the signal between the ACP and PCM, as well as the voltages line to the ACP, resulted in finding no voltage on wire C12 to the ACP. Root cause: Blown 10A fuse @ IGN3 in the Engine Compartment fuse box. (I believe that I shorted the wire to ground, which caused the fuse to blow, a few weeks ago when doing some other electrical work).

In any case, thanks again for your replies. If anyone else is chasing an I037 error, troubleshooting steps can be found on page 41 in the attached link:

http://www.v8mr2.com/reference/Instrument_panel.pdf

Symptoms were:

• I037 Current
• 2 Hyphens/Dashes in the "Set Temp" and "Outside Temp" readout on the CCC
• Defog Light "ON"
• The CCC buttons were not active and would not change Air Flow, Temp when pressed.

[Rychehawk 2000 STS]

Originally Posted by Seafunk99

UPDATE... I am the OP of this thread and to make a long story short...I sent the dash to Specmo and they exchanged it. They called to ask me the mileage. I could have told them anything I wanted but I gave them the correct mileage. No questions asked. Received it overnight, installed and it works fine with no programming. Plugged it in and drove away.

What was the cost on this, shipping ect... and what were your symptoms that caused you to need a replacemet cluster?

I have a 2000 STS and the tach., analog speedo and digital speedo go to zero and the directionals do not work but it will come back and seem to be normal for a while.

Thanks in advance.
G