2003 Camry LE Instrument Cluster Gauges Dead

[bhavinjo]

Hi,
I have a 2003 Camry Le with about 48000 miles. Dirves like a charm but about 3 days back, the speedometer stopped working and now the remaining 3 gauges have stopped working too.

The dealership wants 230 for the cluster and another 180 for installation. I was wondering if there was something I could reset to try to get it back to normal operation.

I checked gauge fuses 1 and 2 inside the car and they both seem fine.

Any inputs much appreciated.

[JSM1284]

Ebay

[bhavinjo]

If I buy a used one of off ebay, will it keep my original mileage? Thats one thing I am really worried about.

Originally Posted by JSM1284

Ebay

[JSM1284]

Dont think so, You may have to have it reprogrammed at the dealer.

[ac5cv]

Originally Posted by bhavinjo

Hi,
I have a 2003 Camry Le with about 48000 miles. Dirves like a charm but about 3 days back, the speedometer stopped working and now the remaining 3 gauges have stopped working too.

The dealership wants 230 for the cluster and another 180 for installation. I was wondering if there was something I could reset to try to get it back to normal operation.

I checked gauge fuses 1 and 2 inside the car and they both seem fine.

Any inputs much appreciated.

I have almost same problem...2002 camry XLE, driving fine as can be, when I got into go to work this morning, the whole instrument cluster (speed, tach, fuel, temperature, and backlighting) is deader than a doornail. Gauge fuses are both OK.

Any ideas before I have to bring it to an $$$ "expert"?

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by ac5cv

I have almost same problem...2002 camry XLE, driving fine as can be, when I got into go to work this morning, the whole instrument cluster (speed, tach, fuel, temperature, and backlighting) is deader than a doornail. Gauge fuses are both OK.

Any ideas before I have to bring it to an $$$ "expert"?

If you had the courtesy to read the sticky at the top of the Gen 5 & 6 Camry Forum that askes newbies to read it before posting:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t235226.html

You would have found this link:

http://www.camrystuff.com/index.php?page=Gen5_Manuals

Which contains this section:

http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Ge..._and_Meter.pdf

Which would help you out greatly. Amazing stuff huh?

[ac5cv]

I did all three of those things before posting, your Honor.

For the record, disconnecting and reconnecting the wiring connectors (on the back side) totally revives the instrument cluster...that is, until I turn off the key and the odometer delay times-out (about 4 minutes). When the odometer display disapears, the fuel gauge (the last sign of life) also drops to zero. The next time I turn the key, nothing in the cluster works.

Toyota Service advice (after their check): replace the instrument cluster. So, I guess that's the direction I'm headed.

[ac5cv]

For the record, I replaced the instrument cluster with a used one from Nordstrums (about 1/3 the cost the dealer wanted). It now works fine.

The odometer reading is the mileage of the car from which it came, so that answers the question many have--the odometer reading is saved in the cluster, not the ECU. I suppose I will need to take the "new" one to a Toyota dealer to remedy that.

[ilovemycamry03?]

hey trd... the links arent working for some reason

[ac5cv]

Well, another answer to many speculations. The Toyota dealer cannot reset the odometer. From the latest info I found, it seems that only the manufacturer (Toyota, or the actual vendor who made the device) can alter the EPROM in the instrument cluster. So, if you want the correct odometer reading, you must gather all the requisite documentation and order the $$$ replacememt from Toyota.

In my case , since I got a used replacement (which works perfectly), I'm stuck with the odo reading that is about 25K less than actual. I say "stuck" because when I take it in for tire replacement, etc., I'll have to go through this long story, and hope they believe me when I show them all my paperwork.

[HATEnFATE]

You can get a sticker from dealers, (ususally) that helps with documenting the odometer descrepancy.

[thrawnis]

Originally Posted by HATEnFATE

You can get a sticker from dealers, (ususally) that helps with documenting the odometer descrepancy.

FYI, you responded to a post from July 2008.

[MrSo0h0o]

Originally Posted by thrawnis

FYI, you responded to a post from July 2008.

hahahaha just kiddingggg

[wp51dos]

as per diagrams 71-7 and 71-13 from instrument panel pdf, i can't get instrument cluster finish panel out. is there a trick to releasing the four clips ?

thank you

[wp51dos]

i got the finish panel and combination meter assy out.

there are two connectors.

can someone tell me what color wires go to what ?

in other words a wiring diagram of the instrument cluster.

thank you