05 Magnum R/T - fuel gauge failure

[heprat]

I have an 05 Magnum R/T with just under 60K miles. Over the winter..I noticed the fuel level gauge had failed. I can hear a very light buzzing noise when I first turn on the key. Not knowing anything else..this seems like a gauge failure.

Any other thoughts? during a recent oil change I asked the dealer what that would cost...he said the cluster would be about $700 + labor. I didn't have time for them to "diagnos" the problem...as I had already waited over an hour for oil change and tire rotate at their "express" lube garage.

I have the Distance to Empty reading so I'm OK, but would prefer for it to be fixed.

Anyone else have this issue? fix? cost?
Thanks

[rcboarder76]

700 sounds a little bit steep.... could always check a junk yard for the cluster or pick a part... or call around some of your local shops that do electrical and stuff like that...

[The Unabomber]

I have an 05 Magnum R/T with just under 60K miles. Over the winter..I noticed the fuel level gauge had failed. I can hear a very light buzzing noise when I first turn on the key. Not knowing anything else..this seems like a gauge failure.

Any other thoughts? during a recent oil change I asked the dealer what that would cost...he said the cluster would be about $700 + labor. I didn't have time for them to "diagnos" the problem...as I had already waited over an hour for oil change and tire rotate at their "express" lube garage.

I have the Distance to Empty reading so I'm OK, but would prefer for it to be fixed.

Anyone else have this issue? fix? cost?
Thanks

It's most likely the cluster that is going to be needing replacement. Go out to your car and stick the key in the ignition. Don't turn it on yet. Press and hold the trip odometer button. Continue to hold it while turning the key to the on position (don't start the car). This will do a gauge cluster diagnostic. You should see ALL of the guages do a sweep and move etc. If the gas gauge dosn't do a thing then you must replace the cluster. Hope this helps.

[heprat]

It's most likely the cluster that is going to be needing replacement. Go out to your car and stick the key in the ignition. Don't turn it on yet. Press and hold the trip odometer button. Continue to hold it while turning the key to the on position (don't start the car). This will do a gauge cluster diagnostic. You should see ALL of the guages do a sweep and move etc. If the gas gauge dosn't do a thing then you must replace the cluster. Hope this helps.

Are you kidding? This helps a lot...I truly appreciate it.
I just went out and did the test....the fuel gauge needle did not sweep...so BAD CLUSTER.

Soo I looked on Ebay. There are 05 Magnum clusters listed ranging from $80 - $130. They also mention mileage.

If I swap for a different cluster...will my mileage be off or do they do that to indicate how old they are?

How difficult is the swap? Is this something a semi-mechanical person can do?

Thanks to everyone for your quick responses.

[heprat]

How difficult is the swap?

Is this the answer?
how do u get in the gauge cluster?

[liltrk]

If the mileage is stored in the cluster as some are...my Yukon truck comes to mind...there are places that will test all functions of the cluster and reset the mileage to match your old one. Legally they can't change it.

[The Unabomber]

Are you kidding? This helps a lot...I truly appreciate it.
I just went out and did the test....the fuel gauge needle did not sweep...so BAD CLUSTER.

Soo I looked on Ebay. There are 05 Magnum clusters listed ranging from $80 - $130. They also mention mileage.

If I swap for a different cluster...will my mileage be off or do they do that to indicate how old they are?

How difficult is the swap? Is this something a semi-mechanical person can do?

Thanks to everyone for your quick responses.

You could run into several issues going this route. I've never taken my cluster out. The dealer did it under warranty. I had the same issue but mine was with the tach. The big concern is going to be the mileage. If you swap cluster for cluster you will retain the mileage that is in the cluster that you swap in.

If I was in this situation and $$ was tight I'd do the following. I'm going to assume since the clusters that get sent out for warranty are usually refurbs that they are rebuildable. Therefore I'd buy the one on ebay, and still use my cluster and just swap out the gas gauge. It should work and be super simple to do. I've never done this but I can't see it being overly difficult.

As far as the removal instructions the ones you found appear to be correct. Good luck and if you do go this route take some pictures and write us up a how to on how to replace broken gauges in the cluster.

[heprat]

So I called the dealer to ask if they can re-program the mileage etc. He told me a used cluster will not work. It has to do with the VIN and security code for the keys being connected to the cluster. Can anyone confirm this?

[heprat]

So I ask for a price on a new cluster. He says they would like to run a diagnostic on the car. "It might be a software issue, it might be the fuel pump." We don't think you'll need a cluster. $50 to $100 to do a diagnostic on the car.

I called another dealer. He told me that you can use a used cluster however it is illegal due to you not being able to change the mileage.

Their parts dept quoted me $575 for a new cluster.

[The Unabomber]

So I ask for a price on a new cluster. He says they would like to run a diagnostic on the car. "It might be a software issue, it might be the fuel pump." We don't think you'll need a cluster. $50 to $100 to do a diagnostic on the car.

I called another dealer. He told me that you can use a used cluster however it is illegal due to you not being able to change the mileage.

Their parts dept quoted me $575 for a new cluster.

It's up to you. Keep in mind that $575 is just for the cluster I'll assume. If thats the price quoted for the cluster and to have YOUR CORRECT mileage pre-programed in then thats a fair deal. However even if you go that route you still need to have your vin programed in etc etc.

That's why I suggested going with the USED one on EBAY and just REMOVING the FUEL GUAGE from the used one and swap it into yours. It should correct the problem and be pretty easy to do. I've not done it but I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work/be that simble.

Worst case say you buy a used one on EBAY and it dosn't WORK (which I doubt will happen) you just toss it back on EBAY and aren't out anything other than some time.

As far as the $50 - $100 to run a diagnostic they are crazy. You know what the issue is and already did the SAME diagnostic they would do on it. Save your $$.

[Hemi31]

You can send the new cluster out to be programmed with your current mileage.

[heprat]

You can send the new cluster out to be programmed with your current mileage.

Do you have a source? Any idea if they can re-program used clusters?

Unahbomber - I realy like the idea of separating the fuel gauge and using it; however, not having seen one I'm not sure it can be separated.

Has anyone taken one of these apart? Do the guages separate? The only photo I've seen is what is on ebay and it only shows the front of the cluster.

[Hemi31]

the last person I know that had it done was Hurst/Equiped(65Standard).......I think he deleted all his posts though and I don't remember who he sent it out to.Do a google search on digital odometer repair.

[The Unabomber]

Do you have a source? Any idea if they can re-program used clusters?

Unahbomber - I realy like the idea of separating the fuel gauge and using it; however, not having seen one I'm not sure it can be separated.

Has anyone taken one of these apart? Do the guages separate? The only photo I've seen is what is on ebay and it only shows the front of the cluster.

They can be. The manufacture that supplies them for Chrysler has to fix them when they go bad. Thus the reason they usually send out a refurb unit when something happens and it's a warranty issue.

The only thing I'm not sure of is it the entire gauge pod pops out OR if it's just the magnetic type motor thing on the back. Either way I KNOW it's possible because they have to fix them. So if they can that means you can.

Just get the used one and do the swap. It'll all work out. Have the ebay seller shoot you some more pics if your concnerned about it.

[fnkychkn]

i'm not convinced you can just replace the guage and if you can, is that really the problem or is it a bad circuit on the board.

a used cluster would be the cheap way to go. IIRC, Dave at B&G or Dominic at TV&NAV2GO can reset the mileage and VIN for you. the VIN may update automatically at first key on.

you'll probably have to get a dealer to restore the vehicle build configuration if some features no longer work.

good luck