Buick Century & Regal Cluster Repair
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- čas přidán 9. 12. 2018
- Don't feel comfortable tackling this repair on your own? Reach out and contact me for my service.
How to fix the display on a Century or Regal:
The resistor used for this repair is a 150 ohm 1/2 watt SMD.
Below are some of my favorite tools:
The flux I use:
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My Favorite electric solder sucker:
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My favorite soldering station:
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Microscope:
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Hot air station #1 (I use the industrial version 8900):
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Hot air station #2 (cheaper)
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Solder:
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Solder Wick:
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Multimeter:
amzn.to/2wvuz8r - Věda a technologie
The resistor used for this repair is a 150 ohm 1/2 watt SMD 2512 (6432 Metric)
Super... thanks for the link
Wow!!! thank you for your help! How much do you charge for me to send my board in for your great work, I'll take care of the portage, which company do you work for? Very professional work!
@@jluisc.888 My contact information can be found here:
czcams.com/video/T_2WnJMsZaU/video.html
You’re the best, thanks
Is it 150 or 150k? because the "k" stands for X1000???
you do such great work--make it look so easy; thanks for posting
sure like the way you magnified your work; great job
Well thanks again you saved the day again
My gf just bought a Buick regal
And we didn’t know the miles
And now we do 169k
Keep up the hard work and videos 😂
So do you charge extra for the "cat scan" of the cluster???????? LOL
😂
There may be a dozen videos of this type of cluster repair; however, the jeffescortlx repair video is the only one that's worth watching! Keep on making videos!!!
Jeff, The correct resistor is a 150 Ω, 1W MELF (Metal Electrode Leadless Face) resistor (Mouser P/N 279-SMAA0207FTDT150R) (MFG P/N SMA-A00207FTDT150R). Under $1 apiece. Kids trying to do this at home: Get yourself some ChipQuik solder paste (SMDLTLFP) (Sn42/Bi57.6/Ag0.4) Melts at 165ºC or 329ºF. If you have a temp control soldering station: 350ºC or 662ºF works well. When desoldering the old resistor beware of the solder pad lifting and coming off with the old resistor. IMHO the job is do-able but you need the right equipment, the right parts and above all, patience.
You make it look to easy. You do a great job on the clean up. Wish I had your talent I'd be on those lists of recommended repair men. I see your cat gives his seal of approval.
When I had to help bring my grandpa’s 2003 Buick Century to the junkyard the odometer came on faintly for the first time in a while and it had 324,000 miles on it.
Clarity and good communication makes a huge difference. Thank you.
I liked seeing this older cluster being torn down. It's kinda cool seeing how instrument clusters have evolved over the years.
I love watching your "shipping guy" do a final "quality check" on your work.
Excellent video! I'm gonna do it myself now! Just need some wick and the resistors. My favorite part of the video is at the end, with your kitty...LOL...too cute and funny!🤣 Thanks for sharing!
Your video is more organised and will be in the history better than they handheld camra videos
Good to hear. I try to capture a clean image, good audio and have tight editing.
This guy makes it look so easy.
Thats the cleanest soder job..out of all the vids..ive watched...can i send you mine??
I was thinking of just practice on tje junkyard on taking it off and what I'm to break as I go Along.
Hello, came across this on my news feed yesterday. Shared watching 15 of your videos. I find it so interesting to watch. I do dabble in soldering stuff. Not this super concentrated details. I enjoyed every one of them. Now you earned a subscriber :) now I wanna do some like this. I do have GM cluster in 99 suburban with wandering needle when I turn the key on, lol. I knew that stepper motor needs to be replaced. But age of the truck doesn't warrant to fix it lol. So keep on what you doing. I enjoy them!
We like to see to it done right 👍🏻👍🏻
Great work as always!! I love your cat. So beautiful.
Nice JOB
Nice! It is still interesting to see others and how they are done. Thanks for showing this one, and looking forward to others!
Keep up the great content!
Review The cat!
BEST VIDEO FOR THIS FIX!
Great video Jeff. Love your cat!
Fixed...And then you find out that it doesn't move out of that "Drive" position, and your just good with it all lit up for a change. Lol
Cool video. Professional repair.
I'm a really old bastard that hasn't worked much with surface mount devices. It absolutely blows my mind that those tiny ass resistors can handle half of a watt. That's insane.
4:36 couldn’t stand to have the numbers on the resistor upside down, could ya? :P
I don't have OCD. But I might have OCD.
I know your a fine repair man when it comes to GM clusters...but the kitty play time at the end...nice bit of fun Jeff!
I have a 2004 Century and I replaced the resistors thanks to your video, the issue is the cluster lights are sometimes work fine and sometimes they don't. What can I do?
If all the back lighting is going out at the same time, the century has a BCM that drives the lamps.
my whole instrument panel is bonkers; sets off every alarm; what do you think? the odometer doesn't work, the temp guage is moving all the time; trac light comes on; fuel gauge shows no fuel (but full), security light comes on, etc. can you help me?
I can help with the odometer not working. But the rest of those problems might not necessarily be the cause of the instrument cluster. It's possible the cluster is just showing the symptoms of it having either intermittent power or intermittent bus communication. In other words it might not be the cause of the problem, but just showing the symptoms of the vehicle having the problem.
I came for your excellent work, I stayed for the Kitty!!
Thanks. So the odometer distance is part of the circuit board, not the master computer in the car?
The odometer value is stored in the cluster and not in the engine ECU.
Great video as usual Jeff. Just to get technical though, and not that it impacts the repair at all, those clusters actually use a combination of two150 ohm and two 120 ohm resistors.
You are correct. I'm hoping a little less current with the 150 ohms will prolong things. Plus is it's weird to use them unbalanced like that.
Now you have me curious, do you use matched ohms or do you keep it 2x120 + 2x150?
@@jeffescortlx I keep the factory configuration of 2x120 + 2x150, I don't see a reason to modify the original design. But like you, I do use the flat chip style resistors since I feel they will be less prone to de-solder themselves from the board like the old MELF package resistors do.
@@mike7958 Thanks!
@@jeffescortlx Done
Why the "selective application" of conformal coating over 'the two areas of intellect'??; nice job on the 'smuts', btw! Great "cat scan", and "Mouser" commentary, too!
I got the PRNDL and the odometter working better, but now the other lights don't work. I thought everything was great until I had to drive at night and there are no intstrument panel lights?!
It could be a fuse, but the ones i checked seemed alright.
Overhead dome light doesn't work, either, but it hasn't worked since I bought the car, but it looks like it may be an L.E.D. bulb?
I'm really not too sure what you did. The display resistors are not tied to the backlighting at all, they're completely different independent circuits that have nothing to do with each other.
But I have heard of the Buicks having issues with interior lighting that's related to the BCM.
I cannot find the resistors.. what size?
The specifications are in the top sticky comment.
My gmc envoy cluster is not working how to fix it
Does Cat ever wake you up in the morning with a dead cluster in his mouth ? :o)
hey! jeff happy new year I did similar fix what yo did not the same resistor regular ones the only thing got fix is the odometer and indicator for park and drive you know, the rest is still no lights what did i Missed? thank you!
If the back lighting isn't working you'll want to look into the headlight switch or BCM.
if you buy a whole new speedometer and plugged it in would that work too?
Sorta. There is a good chance the used unit will have the same issue as the one you're replacing it with. But then you'll get a random odometer reading, that can affect insurance buy out and resale value.
you worry too much about what people will think and what there already is around. just do videos and don't worry about what there is already. it don't change there are people that haven't seen those videos but might see this one. some people couldn't care less what car it is from and just watch because anyways. i mean if someone could have hundreds of videos of just riding elevators or someone fixing the same computer over and over and people keep watching them then why not you. some people want to see stuff on there vehicle too sometimes don't matter if it something simple or not. just keep doing videos and stuff because you want too and not because you think you have too and don't worry about what anyone else does or think
You make a good point. I suppose some of the biggest channels are just people playing the same game again and again, or unboxing similar toys over and over.
Raises ISP cost for redundant cloud storage 😅
Could you fix mine
czcams.com/video/T_2WnJMsZaU/video.html
Unlike the odometer that is stored in non-volatile memory, I believe the trip odometer resets when the cluster loses B+. The trip odometer in my '99 Regal would reset when the battery was disconnected.
If my memory is correct, I'm pretty sure I've had Buicks with trip values. The full size GM clusters store trip in the same eeprom as the odometer, so I wouldn't think they would have separate memory on the Buicks for trip. But what I think is happening is the customer/mechanic is hoping if the push and hold the trip button it will reset the display and magically fix it.
My odometer light went out as well as my gas gauge, speedometer, and temp gauge needles also do not move. If I replace those 4 resistors will they also work too?
I have a 2003 Buick Century, the gas gauge don’t work and the part that shows what gear you in..
Great video! Could you please pass along Mouser's part number for that smd or at least the description? Thank you very much!
Wat are the 2 resistors on the bottom
jeff I have been setting up to do this type of work I'am just a hobbyist , but in retirement it helps pass the time , I pickup a small frequency generator what frequency do you feed to the vss signal line and tach ? Thanks again for the great videos .
0-200 Hz is the needed range.
I was wondering how do you get the speedometer and tachometer to work on the bench . Do you feed in a square wave pulse signal on vss signal input . Watch all your videos learned a lot from them , keep up the great work . Thank you
That is correct. Same signal for RPM to. Everything else is sent over the data line.
I cannot find any 1/2 watt flushmount resistors, Would 1/4 watt work? Thanks!
mouser.com do a search for 652-CR2010-JW-151ELF it's a 150ohm 1/2 watt (500mw) surface mount. In stock at 19 cent each.
Jeff, where are you located? I'm having this same problem on my 2001 Buick Century Custom, which only has about 74,000 miles on it.
Minnesota
1:27 Those are for the odometer, right?
Yes right hand side.
Great video. What was that you spread over the solder joints when you were done soldering?
I know you posted this question 3 years ago, but for anyone else wondering, I'm going to guess it's rubbing alcohol (probably 70% or higher). It evaporates and removes the flux, which is important to prevent the flux from eating the board and impacting the solder joints.
@@jasonbengel Sounds reasonable.
What can you do with a 2007 Dodge Durango cluster
Would steel or silver solder hold up longer than lead solder?
63/37 is pretty good. Lead free is yucky.
Guys. My instument cluster is noisy, mechanically. Everything works. Any ideas?
The Buick Century uses air core gauge motors. It has no gears, the only moving part is one shaft in each cage that is on a bushing. I don't see how it could have the ability to make much of any noise at all.
Could be our tell me what you cleaned the board with after soldering? Great job. I wish my solder work was so neat and tidy.
Isopropyl alcohol
Great end 👌🏽😂
Have you dont a cluster repair on the 04-08 grand prix?
I don't remember if I've had one of them apart. I don't think they use the defective style stepper motors.
I believe the Regal has the RPM gauge while the Century doesn't
Hello, excuse me, please help me, I changed the resistors just like you did and it didn't work, the resistors get hot
I'm not sure what's going on without seeing it.
I just bought a 99 Buick Regal gs the left display that gives you mpg boost etc won’t work. You said that there are 4 other resistors that would operate that? Love your work thanks
Yes, 4 on the left side for left display and 4 on right side for right display.
@@jeffescortlx thanks appreciate your reply
Hey again where could I buy the supplies like solder solder gun and the flux that you use ? Thanks for your time
Jeff, Do you know the Mouser Part# 150 ohm 1/2 watt SMD
Sorry I don't. Stock is constantly rotating and so does the part number with it.
Spoiler alert.
Loved the cat at the end there.
Do you repair 1999 GMC Suburban clusters? Keep up the good work!
And what does said cluster need ? 😁
I like working on the 03-06 instead, but yes I work on 99-02 also.
New subscriber. Did the resistor just fall off? Workmanship? Vibration? Thank you for sharing.
Yes it did. It's common for this cluster. The old solder is just a fried crusty mess. Too much heat for too long coming from those resistors. The round solder end probably isn't the most contact on a square pad.
i have a 1997 model, and same issues, i replaced them and i still have the same issue of the shifter selection part isn't working right and mileage is missing the first and third digit, but when it first comes on allof them light up for a second then goes to the trip selection
The problem your describing isn't typically. So my first assumption is something happened during the repair attempt to make it do that. Maybe a drop of solder some where fell, or accidental break in trace.
@@jeffescortlx it was like this when i bought it, the guy said something about his son trying to repair it with new resistors,, so all i done was replace the same ones and still have the same issue as he did, i noticed one processor chip or memory riight above the led display to the left has a slight bubble effect
to it,, thinking that might be it
take that back, it was silicone on top of it that was coming off, anyone know which resistor goes to which part of the board to maybe narrow it down ?
John Hill, Thanks for the Video clip! Apologies for butting in, I would love your thoughts. Have you researched - Trentvorty Safe Vehicle Theorem (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a good exclusive product for discovering how to repair your car the simple way minus the hard work. Ive heard some incredible things about it and my old buddy Taylor at very last got astronomical success with it.
@jeffescortlx where can I buy the flat top LEDs with the 12 volt resistor built in, I can only find them without resistor thanks
I did the resistor replacement but when I reinstalled the cluster I must have broken a diode. Do you have any idea what the diodes are for this thing? They are the little orange(ish) things. The location of the 2 that fell off is above the light bulb to the left top corner of the PRNDL. There are 2 of them next to each other. Thx for any help.
Hello, i used your instructions on how to make this repair, simple enough, i used replacement resistors from Radio Shsck 1.8 of a Watt, 150 Ohm. I removed all the old solder, cleaned it up, trimmed the resistors to fit. I made the repair three weeks ago, two nights ago, a light began to flicker on and off, behind one half of the fuel indicator needle. To your knowledge, do those same four resistors, also control the other lighting components on the board?
The back lighting lamps run on the full 12-14 voltage, resistors are not used for the lamps.
@@jeffescortlx
Jeff thank you, i guess im dealing with a loose bulb, im not worried as long as the PRND and Mileage are illuminated. I appreciate your quick reply.
M.Conti
Excellent presentation.
I have a 1998 Buick Century. It was sold in Canada therefore has a metric odometer and speedometer.
Wondering - Can I simply swap a US instrument cluster?
Will the speedometer and odometer read correctly?
I realize the miles will be whatever is on the replacement cluster.
Thanks
Yes I would expect it to read correctly.
I know this is 8 months ago, but my Buick Regal has a button to press to switch the digital responses from metric back to 'English' (gallons to liters, and miles to km). Not sure if that helps any, but I always thought the values were swappable by just a keypress of a button on the dashboard (my '99 Regal has 4 buttons next to each other, and one of them toggles between the 'units' mode).
@@jeffescortlx My 2003 Century experienced the same problem of no display for the gear shift position. Having seen your video, I pulled the cluster and found a cold solder joint at one of the resistors. Problem solved. Thanks.
What type and size solder do you prefer for this type of job?
I use 63/37 organic .031 and .015
Quick question. Will the odometer continue to record mileage while the display is not working? I bought a regal that the previous owner was driving for god knows how long before I fixed it. Is the mileage it’s displaying now accurate? Thanks for the video!
With this kind of failure, yes the cluster continues to count and store the miles even if you cannot see the display.
Can get your info on where to send my instrument cluster for odometer repair 01 century
I can email you the details. Check your inbox for the first email.
Can you send it to my email too at Jonathan52saywhat@gmial.com
Will the 511 and resistor from a 2003 up silverado cluster work?
Not really well since they are 510 ohms. I guess you could stack them if your desperate.
@@jeffescortlx I am sorry, I transposed the numbers. Does the 1206 refer to the physical size of the resistor? I have been on Mouser site but there are so many options to chose from. I am not finding good info on the ratings and size of smd.
@@brandon1979transam what's wrong with the link for the reccomended resistors in the top sticky post?
Jeff I owned lots of cars before, I never had any problems with clusters going out, so what makes them break in the first place?
Just some designs fail and some not as common.
Being made by GM. Fucking Junk.
On this bench setup, what wires do you have connected?
I assume a ground, constant, and keyed ignition, but what colors? I'm trying to find that info online.
Where did you find 1/2 watt surface mount resistors? I've only been able to find 1/4 watt 150 ohm surface mount.
Oh and none of your links in the description work.
Yes constant 12, switched 12 and ground. I'm not sure about the wire color, I'm 2000 miles away from my bench currently. A Google search should bring up a wiring diagram. Yes I know the links are broken, they are from 4 years ago.
@@jeffescortlx what about the 1/2 watt surface mount resistors? I'm having trouble finding them.
@@AraceaeFanatics the top sticky post on this comment section has the physical size number. That will help you narrow it down from a place like Mouser, Digi-Key or Newark element.
Do the gauge stepper motors make contact with the PCB using pogo pins or do they press fit into played through holes?
With this style the PCB has a springy contact the pins press up against.
Did all of the resistors and my odometer and drnp still doesn't work. What could it be? Thanks Ozarksflipper
Hard to say without seeing the board.
@@jeffescortlx I meant everything works now but my odometer and park,drive neutral, etc. The repair fixed the speedometer and gas gauge. Is there another resister somewhere else on the board be bad.
@@suzanneperkins4549 the instructions in this video is to fix the odometer display. The resistors in this video have nothing to do with the MPH & gas gauges. I don't know how you managed to do the complete opposite of what's going on in this video.
@@jeffescortlx Thanks, it fixed my gas gage and my speedometer. Thanks for the video and hope you have a great day..
I tried to solder a new resistor in, and I guess i didn't do it right because when I reinstalled the cluster and turned ignition on I saw a bunch of red lining instead of the being able to see the odometer reading. I didn't leave it on, I shut it back down immediately, but did i ruin it for good, or can the cluster be salavaged? Everything else still works, just the light on odometer is still out. Do I now have to buy a new cluster, or is this one still fixable?
It's hard to say without hands on testing, but it's likely it's perminently damaged. If the wires in the display failed it will no longer be able to display.
I ordered the resistors from your link. They come extremely small is that correct?
It depends on your definition of extremely small. 1206 is fairly large for a surface mount.
@@jeffescortlx okay. I don’t know much about resistors but I am hoping that I got the right ones before I take apart my dash. They are the ones from digikey from your link and they are not much larger than a grain of rice. Maybe smaller
@@midast2361 the digi-key link is correct.
Hi jeff,
I see 1 watt surface mount resistors being used on these clusters,
Is that a better choice or is the 1/2 Watt enough?
Thanks
If you can find a 1 watt that will physically fit yes that would have more headroom than a 1/2 watt.
would 220ohm work?
Probably. Might be a little dimmer than factory original.
Cat had it right.
Even the cat help by buffing the screen lol
i tried this and when i plugged it back in it smoked a lil the rest of stuff still looks normal
i soldered my buicks 4 resisters back in w a 4dollar harbor freight soldering iron-it sucked-takes forever to heat up and barely would melt solder-can you or anybody tell me what brand is the best and affordable soldering iron?
It's not so much the brand you need to watch for, it's the style of tip. Cartridge style tips, where the heating element and tip are all one piece transfer heat much better than the old style of soldering irons were the tip and heating element are two separate pieces.
thanks-i just ohmed the ones i replace 4 years ago still on the board and they were all 48-they all look fried buttttt the odometer and shift indicator lights still work-all dash lights work cept i cant see the speedometer-there boust 5 big bulbs and they all look good-i can replace the resistors but i think its something else-i might replace the healight switch just to rule it out fore i attempt another soldering journey-haha@@jeffescortlx
@@storyocthe lamps used for gauge illumination are not tied into the VFD display resistors.
welp i replaced the headlight switch and now everthing lights up-thanks for the advice bout the bulbs not being part of the resistors-yeehiiii @@jeffescortlx
Hi Jeff , if you’d be so kind to give me information on how to get your address to send you my cluster to see if you could repair my instrument cluster thank you so much. Happy holidays.
My email address is listed under my channel "about" tab. It's visible to Windows PC users. What kind of vehicle is this for?
jeffescortlx oh sorry my uncle figured it out. Thank you!
Do you have the mouser part number for that 150ohm resistor??
What he said
I'll try to track it down this evening. I tried to find it in my purchase history, but it looks like it was discontinued. At the time I bought the most wattage possible in that package size.
@@jeffescortlx any luck on a part number, It would be nice to have some of these in stock.
@@michaelbox7285 the part number I have is discontinued, I did order a bunch 2-3 years back so I guess I'm not surprised. I bought the highest wattage available in that package size @ 150 ohm.
Can you tell me what package size they are?
What's the best way to contact you for repairs? Had mixed results on ebay
Through my email, that is listed under my channel about tab, only visible with people using widows PC and driving ford escorts.
Would i send you the whole panel for repair?
only need a simple odometer mileage reader. Not a "trip odometer" but see the mileage my car has. My PRNDL led lights went out (circuit board resisters, shit). Can someone suggest the cheapest or free OBD or something like that, maybe a Bluetooth, i dont know. I need to change the oil soon, haha.
how many should I
get
@@mikeseebach5745 all of them.
just buy one pack
@@mikeseebach5745 ok
What is the make, model, and series
Late 90's to mid 2000 Buick century & regal.
62 36 2 solder ?
63/37
Are the electronics for those dash clusters made in China or America? Thanks for a great video.
I'm not sure where the boards are assembled at. But very little eletronic components are made in the states.
How do I send you my cluster? I have a 02 Disaster, I mean trailblazer.. I'm sure you see it alot
My email is listed under my channel"about" tab. Visible to Windows PC users.
@@jeffescortlx how about andriod?
@@edubb2491 czcams.com/video/T_2WnJMsZaU/video.html
Do you let people send you clusters if so I have one on my 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 and every now and then (on and off for a week at a time) and the PRND123 display will be solid blue and stuck like that and every gauge stops at once but the backlights will still work I’m kinda stumped here and I would be glad to pay good for the service of course but if you wouldn’t be able to do the service I would also like to maybe get a name of someone who would thanks
My email address is listed under my channel about tab. Shoot me an email and I'll help you out
I did all this and my odometer still isnt working
It may have other issues
@@jeffescortlx only other thing I can think of are the fuses but that doesnt make sense
Hey Jeff do you have a social media account I can get hold of you on.
Thanks your other video with RDS unlocking
I had successful unlock of my radio
I did not use any of that equipment that you had suggested except I did use that hex editor.
I'm not on social media yet. Maybe when it catches on.
Glad the hex editor software was handy!
Hey one more question. That chip that you had to reprogram for the new Vin number. What other features does that chip provide
@@jaybug765 are we talking about a cluster or radio?
Radio.
@@jaybug765 the eeprom in the radio, besides holding the VIN, it's used for storing power off saves. Like presets, volume, bass, treble, balance and fader settings.