Speedometer on the fritz

This happened with my 2005 Impala and I ended up having to have the entire instrument cluster replaced. Not much fun or cheap, apparently it is a common problem and fixing the speed sensoer or spedomoeter cable is not a long term answer.

EASY to fix it yourself, or by anyone you know who is handy with tools for less than $40.

This is a known issue and a class action lawsuit for the GM SUV's is already under way, but not for passenger cars (yet). The dealers will commit criminal fraud by pretending to not know whats wrong and will charge you to replace everything else first. Then rather than replace the faulty components IN the gauge cluster they will replace the entire gauge cluster for hundreds, then charge for reprogramming the old odometer readings into the new cluster. All unnecessary. If they wont give you a firm price with a guarantee to fix the problem complete the first time, just walk away.

Go to ebay and search for user MANDIGITAL or search for "speedometer" "stepper".
You can get a set of 6 replacement stepper motors for about $40, enough to rebuild every gauge, or you can even buy just ONE for less money. This guy also has a service to replace the motors for you but you still have to take out the gauge cluster to ship it to him.

These little plastic motors (the size of a ritz cracker) simply position the gauge needles by computer command. A tiny bit of soldering is required to replace each one, and you just follow the included directions. I did mine in about an hour start to finish. Works perfectly now.

Heres a dashboard disassembly with pictures.
http://impalahq.naioa.com/HowTo/Dash.html

Here the process photographed from start to finish:
http://www.sound-expressions.com/rides/avaspdrpr.pdf

Finally, for those folks peeved about GM, I will say this in their defense. These components are not made by GM, and do not fail until after 4-5 years of use. GM could not predict this. They should however, start replacing these clusters as its a safety issue. Also, it is not GM that rips you off at the dealer, its the dealer. These are privately owned franchises.

NTSB will probably get the recall to happen, but it takes time. Keep logging complaints at NTSB :)

GOOD LUCK !

I have repaired a lot of clusters with the same problem. You have a bad stepper motor Cost 105.00 to repair.