Instrument cluster or perhaps not

[kpawluk]

2004 GMC Duramax, 145,000 miles. Instrument cluster replaced about 95,000 miles ago. Problem then was speedo quit working. Problem now is entire dash does not come alive till I drive 30 seconnds or more, including auto door locks, seat belt light and all gauges. Almost like a bad ground or like the vehicle was started using the autostart (Ultimat-Start) and then it did not allow the full use function to come alive. But I had the autostart replaced and the problem left for a while, but now is back again. Not sure where to look. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Matzkesdmax]

my gauges on my truck do not come on either. i noticed that they do come on when my alternator actually kicks in and does its job. they have always come on for me every time the alt does its job so i have worried about it. mine has been doing it for a couple years now. but could also be something else wrong with yours. could be possible ground or could be just the same thing as miine.

[kpawluk]

Thanks for the reply. On my truck, not only the gauges do not work, the ABS light, seat belt light and door auto lock feature all do not work. Then they come on all at the same time: the dash lights, the gauges, the door locks. Is this also the case for you?

[kpawluk]

How do you know when the alternator kicks in if the gauges are not operating at the time?

[Matzkesdmax]

yes the lights in the cluster and the locks do not work until the alt kicks in, i put a meter on it awhile ago to see if it wasnt getting any power and it had power just like 10 volts or something like that then wheen the alt kicked on it was pushing about 14 volts to it. but it has always came on for me just some times it takes awhile for it to come on then some days it comes on right away.

[topherstrux]

Mine has been doing the same thing for a couple of months now?! Anybody?

[chjackso662]

mine too speedo long gone erratic then stuck past 120 mpg wife goes[ omg slow down ]speedo probaly needs stepping motor $60 ebay rest intermittant. anyone post diy speedo rebuild.

[chjackso662]

member infinityfabworks posted a diy on changeing stepper motors
$9.50 + 2.70 shipping ebay think all of mine defective or going that way, same part # all motors same. Two versions new lifetime warranty on motor part or install old part same problem.Service + two way shipping for service+ 60 and up

[daschae]

If its multiple componets, check the relay that powers those up, sounds like its worn or sticking. Key comes on, tells PDC (power distribution center) to send out power to components through their relays. Sounds like a bad relay, or possible a shitty wiring job for the auto-start..

[kpawluk]

Your answer sounds logical. I have totaly removed the autostart to try and narrow this down. Any thoughts on how to narrow things down further?

Key comes on. Interior lights come on, vehicle starts, no guages or dash indicator lights, radio works, heater works, wipers work, horn too I think. I drive a minute more or less, and then doors lock, fuel level light on, then goes off as gauge lights up, all gauges come alive and all dash indicator lights light up. (This all happens simultaneously.)

Thanks.