Should I drive without an instrument cluster?

The fast and simple answer is NO, You should not drive with a failing instrument cluster. This is not safe nor is it responsible. There are a few reasons why, and I will get into the details as to why you should not do this in a bit. Although, the instrument cluster being out will not stop your vehicle from starting, or running. Depending on the vehicle it can cause damage to other functions if you run your car without a cluster plugged in. Because you have wires running to a harness that isn't there you may have fuses that blow, relays that may short circuit and malfunction. malfunction. German cars are the ones that will have the most trouble when running without the cluster plugged in. All vehicles should be kept in top working order for the safety of those in the car and the safety of those around you. I know I wouldn't want to be in an accident because someone was careless enough to put my safety at risk by their car being in disrepair. With the privilege of driving comes the responsibility of safety, and that safety includes looking out for not just yourself but the others you share the road with.

What is your problem?

Is it your speedometer, your odometer, or both? plus other features such as fuel gauge, turn lights, tachometer, oil pressure, and emergency flashers are all part of your cluster? Is it only your speedometer that isn't working? Are your gauges going haywire, falling to zero, and going back to normal. Maybe they are just bouncing a bit instead of being steady. What is the age of your vehicle? Is it an older model using analog, or a new model using digital? All of these options are things that will help figure out if it is a sensor, a fuse, or if something is wrong within your cluster and how to best fix or rebuild it. You may find that you have another issue with a different original part for your car. Many other parts can also be rebuilt.

Check our site for the original part and send it to us the same as you would the original instrument cluster and we will rebuild it so you can get back on the road swiftly. As we here all need our cars we understand that all car repairs can be a big nuisance, that time is of the essence when you need a car repair done. When your car is down no speed is fast enough. We promise that we will give you the time and attention you need to get your car repair done, by doing what we need to do quickly to help you get the job done right.

Diagnosing the problem

Do not overlook checking the fuses first, as a blown fuse can be the entire problem, and it will still have to be replaced, even after the cluster has been rebuilt. I know this sounds like a stupid tip, but you would be surprised how many people have forgotten this very simple step and paid dearly at the shop for something that they could have done for themselves if they would just have done so. Check your owner's manual for a description and step-by-step instructions to check your instrument cluster. There are some basic and simple steps you can do to check the instrument cluster, you just have to follow a few simple steps. If it is only the speedometer, then it may likely be a sensor at the transmission. If it is both the speedometer and the odometer, then it is likely the cluster. If you are getting flickering instrument lights, and gauges that are fluctuating for no apparent reason, then you can be reasonably sure that your original instrument cluster is going bad. You can use a voltmeter to check some of the sensors and wires in the cluster, and around your vehicle to see if you can find the problem. Only do this if you have a complete understanding of the tool and know what the readings indicate. Some older, 2000 and earlier, Ford models of the Mustang and the F-150 actually use gears in their instrument clusters that go out and have to be replaced. there are not a lot of these but they are in vehicles that are highly sought after.

The original instrument cluster in these vehicles can also be rebuilt. So if you have one we can help you too. With some vehicles, you may start to have indicator lights flickering, or gauges that do not hold steady as a sign that your cluster isn't working properly. In analog, this could seem like the gauge is waving at you. Your dash may be going dim and then getting brighter again. You may get check engine lights that you can have checked to see if is the cluster going out. All things electrical or electronic can give you scary nightmares unless you know what each of them is and how to work around them. You may want to have a mechanic check and verify that it is an original instrument cluster problem. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if the problem is actually in the instrument cluster or if it is one of the sensors outside the instrument cluster. There are a number of ways to try and determine if the problem is with your instrument cluster. Once you determine that it is your instrument cluster, figure out when you can best do without your vehicle for a bit and send it to us so we can get it rebuilt and back to you in the shortest time possible.

Can An Instrument Cluster Be Rebuilt?

Yes, here at UPFIX we can rebuild your original instrument cluster. It may require replacing wires, gears, lights, led lights. or sensors inside the original instrument cluster. All of these can be done and your original instrument cluster can be rebuilt. We will use better than original parts, thus ensuring that the quality you get in return is of the highest quality. We do our best to upgrade the part, so you will never have an issue with it again. We have only the best IPC Certified Technicians working to get your rebuild done fast and with the best quality. We will replace things that are known to be a problem in the original instrument cluster so you will not have another issue with something else soon shortly after you get it back. This is an eco-friendly way to keep your car running and the old part from ending up in a landfill. It is cheaper to get a part rebuilt in better than new condition than it is to replace the part. When getting an original instrument cluster rebuilt you will not have to have it coded to the VIN of your vehicle, It is already coded. Rebuilding it will not change your odometer readings. Rebuilding your original instrument cluster is cheaper than getting a new one. Which would then have to be coded to your vehicle. This is the best option all the way around to get your original instrument cluster back into working shape with as little downtime as possible, as cheaply as you can, and without putting it in the landfill.

A cluster rebuild will fix the following issues:

• Blank Odometer reading Intermittent dash Power Loss Pixelation on Digital Display Screen
• Dim, Dark, or flashing Lights LCD Display Power/Loss Issues
• Gauges Not Working Correct Odometer Issues Background Lights Illumination
• Voltage Gauge Fuel Gauge working LED Indicator Lights
• LED lighting Issues Oil pressure Gauge Incorrect Speedometer Gauge
• Tachometer or RPM Gauge Temperature reading Gauge

We will make all repairs to your original instrument cluster with new and improved parts, installed by top-notch IPC-Certified Technicians. This will include wires, sensors, lights, gears. It will be better than factory new when we send it back to you. Rebuilding your original instrument cluster with UPFIX is a win for us, as we earn your business. And hope to provide you with other services you may need.

We also hope you will pass on the information about us to others you may know that are also in need of any car part rebuild. It is a win for you, as you get a high-quality guaranteed product at a discounted cost in the fastest time possible. And we will aim at keeping you satisfied so you will come to us again when you need something else done. It is a win for the planet as we keep just a little bit more from ending up in the garbage. To be buried in a landfill somewhere to decay away. This would make it the triple crown of auto repairs.

Why You Should Not Drive Without An Instrument Cluster

1. You will have no gauge of your speed. This is unsafe in many instances where you really need to know your speed, like at times when children are present, or during heavy traffic times. Many people think they can judge their speed, in reality very few can.

2. You will not be able to see warning signals like oil pressure or voltage. This could lead to you having catastrophic engine failure without warning. You need to be able to see if your oil pressure is dropping or if your engine temperature is getting excessively hot. These are both indicators that you could be having major trouble. Without these indications, you could seize your engine or have a more catastrophic engine failure.

3. You will have no fuel indicator. It is never fun to run out of gas, getting stuck on the side of the road.

4. With some vehicles, this can cause overloads on the fuses, which can lead to much larger problems.

5. You will not have turn indicator lights or emergency flashers. This is something that other drivers around you will need to know. If operating without them it is dangerous for the drivers that are expecting to see these things. It could lead to an accident, and it would be your fault for operating a vehicle in substandard working order.  

It is never a wise decision to operate a vehicle that is not in proper working order. There is a reason for everything and they should be operating properly before you attempt to drive a vehicle. It is not just you at risk in this situation, it is also other drivers on the road that are not aware that you are having an issue that you put at risk. You will not be able to tell if there is a catastrophic problem occurring because you do not have any of the indicators in place. You could well end up with a car repair for a blown engine. If you do drive without your instrument cluster in place, you may find that you have to have another original part rebuilt. That is the nature of things, If you act carelessly then you may find out why we suggest you not drive your car without the instrument cluster.

What UPFIX Does When Sent A Cluster To Rebuild

You will need to carefully remove the original instrument cluster from your vehicle, follow instructions carefully or have a body shop or mechanic remove it for you. Package your original instrument cluster with care so that it will not be damaged in shipping. Use the right size box and wrap it good. You will need to go through the shopping cart and the checkout. You will have to print out a form to confirm your order that will have to be included in your package. with your original instrument cluster. Inside the package, you will also need to include your name, address, and phone number. Do not miss doing any of these steps as this is how we can schedule everything and get the best possible results for you.

If you miss any of the steps above it will delay things while we have to work things out. Our techs will then do the rebuild to your original instrument cluster as rapidly as they can using the best parts possible. We not only fix the issue you are having we also repair things that we know are issues coming up. Your cluster will be better than new when we return it to you. All car repairs can be stressful, we at UPFIX will do our best to get your original car parts rebuilt and back to you in a timely manner. This will help you get your vehicle back on the road with better than new parts and keep you rolling for a good long time.

Benefits of using UPFIX:

• 100% guaranteed to be working or your money back
• Save hundreds of dollars over the price of replacement.
• Amazing customer service and support, just contact us if you need help.
• IPC-certified technicians do all the rebuilds, they have the highest quality and standards of craftsmanship.
• No programming is needed. It is still the same part you sent in so is already programmed to your vehicle identification number.
• Quick & easy process. You send it to us, we fix it as fast as possible, we return it to you. THAT SIMPLE.
• Plug-n-play, plug it in, install it back in your vehicle, and you are done.
• A Full 1-year warranty
• FedEx return shipping.

It is clear that UPFIX would like to help you get your vehicle up and running properly with the shortest downtime you can have, using the best materials and technicians we can get. We want to prove ourselves to you so you will return when you have other issues we may be able to help with. We also want you to let others know about us so they can use our services too. UPFIX is not limited to just original instrument clusters, there are many other original parts that we will rebuild as well. All original rebuilt items fall under our guarantee and warranties.

We only use high-quality parts and our work is all done by the best technicians. Once again remember that you as a driver have the responsibility that comes with the privilege. Keep your car repaired and running in top-notch and hope that those around you have done the same. Have a look around the website to see what else we might be able to help you with. And let others know that we are here and what we do so they can also save money by getting their original part rebuilt. We can all do something to help our planet and this is something to help keep some old car parts from getting buried to rotting away. Let's all do this together to help each other and our world around us.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have for us. We will do our best to help you with the answer or to find the best answers.