Right side instrument cluster gauges stopped working

[JeepinDoug]

2004.5 Dodge ram 2500 AT.
Just yesterday on the way home from work I noticed the right side of my cluster stopped working.
Speedo, Oil psi and Water temp dead.
All the lights work.
Then further along, some bumpy road got them to glitch back on.
Seems obvious it's a bad connection, so today I pulled the cluster out.
Reseated all connectors with dielectric grease, pushed wires into their respective plugs, tried to move wires to make it work or not work (because it would turn on for a while).
Nothing was consistent, I could not find an area that seemed to be a problem area.
I have no frayed wires 12 inches behind the cluster.
Even bumping the cluster around seemed to be inconsistent.
More often they are dead now but still occasionally bump on.
I need to assume it's the cluster itself, a bad internal component or failing connection.

Any ideas or advise on where I should check?
How about where I could new cluster for under $750?
Ebay is a little sketchy on used ones but some offer warranties and mileage reprogramming (for an additional price).
I did get 69 in a cluster scan, but I cant find info on it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[p-Bar]

05's had the cluster issue yours is one of few I have heard . Here's a couple companies
https://circuitboardmedics.com/dodge-ram-circuit-board-repair/
http://www.mrwhizard.com/Repair Pricing.cfm

I have not used either one of these just found them online

 

[JeepinDoug]

Thanks, I just found the Medics a few minutes ago and fired off an email.
A repair makes the most sense.

 

[JeepinDoug]

Update, Medics contacted me and they do not work on my model year, but this morning the cluster was fully functional. Weird computer glitches I guess. Like sometimes my wipers do not work as they should.
The truck is getting just like me, some morning things just don't work.
Getting old.

 

[PWong]

You have BAD connection on the cluster connector or within the cluster.

 

[cerberusiam]

The cluster has bad solder joint in it somewhere, needs replaced. You can get a used form salvage yard but would have to find someone to program mileage and hours to it, the ones that offer programming may be worth a shot. A new cluster, if you have the fobs and auto locks, is about $500 wholesale. It will auto program when installed and have the correct values form the ECU in its RAM.

 

[JeepinDoug]

The cluster has bad solder joint in it somewhere, needs replaced. You can get a used form salvage yard but would have to find someone to program mileage and hours to it, the ones that offer programming may be worth a shot. A new cluster, if you have the fobs and auto locks, is about $500 wholesale. It will auto program when installed and have the correct values form the ECU in its RAM.

This sounds accurate. With the cluster attached yet removed, I can fiddle with the connections and I get no changes or inconsistent glitches. Where can I find a wholesale cluster? I have speed sensitive locks and a key fob.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yikes!!! I just checked the wholesale sites and the price jump by 50% on one and NS1 on the other, $730 now. Start looking on Ebay and salvage as the prices have gone out of sight for new now.

 

[JeepinDoug]

That's why I asked, best price I found yesterday was $748.

 

[cerberusiam]

That's why I asked, best price I found yesterday was $748.

Two years ago there $500 new everywhere. Looks like the source is now back to aftermarket and they are going to gouge for every dime. MSRP is over $1000, utter nonsense for a piece of plastic and crappy solder.

 

[JeepinDoug]

Anyone know of a schematic I could look at?
I'm not afraid of pulling the cluster apart to repair a bad solder joint.
I need to find power in to right side gauges, should be pretty simple if I could find that line.
It could also be one power line in, only to branch off inside and supply to the right side.

 

[cerberusiam]

There isn't really a power in lead, the gauges are all set by the cluster controller based on signals pulled form the data bus. It is probably a variable signal to each gauge with a common ground somewhere.

 

[seafish]

Here is a decent thread describing simialr problems--

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/213452-Tach-problems-on-06-Ram/page5

There are a couple youtube videos that how and where to reflow the various cold joints...here is one of the better ones--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufQ1t4eOwkM

 

[sag2]

I did my neighbors for the tach problem and it worked great. Get a magnifying glass and carefully look at the solder joints on both sides of the board. Reflow any that look suspect. Radio Shack is a good source for the pencil gun. Also use good quality rosin core solder.