When your Chrysler or Dodge cluster goes dark, here’s the safe way forward

Few failures are as disruptive—and as nerve-wracking—as an instrument cluster that won’t light, shows random dark spots, or loses gauges/LCDs at the worst possible moment. Beyond comfort, your cluster provides critical safety information: speed, warnings, fuel level, charging, and more. When it fails, it’s not just annoying—it’s a liability.

Chrysler and Dodge used a unique illumination design on many clusters: instead of traditional bulbs or LEDs on the circuit board, the gauge face itself is the light source. It looks fantastic—cool blue, aqua green, ice white, depending on model—but after many hours of operation, these illuminated faces can fail in two main ways:

1. Total lighting failure: the cluster simply doesn’t light up.

2. Leaky gauge face: illumination still works but looks blotchy with random dark spots.

On top of that, clusters can suffer the usual suspects: individual gauges inoperative, intermittent/total power loss, and one or both bottom LCDs not working. The good news: UpFix repairs all of these issues—and we’ll explain exactly what to select when you order so pricing and turnaround are crystal-clear.

Ready to fix your cluster? Start your repair at UpFix.com and choose your Chrysler/Dodge unit.

What makes these clusters different (and why they fail)

Glow-face illumination (the cool part)

• Certain Chrysler/Dodge clusters use a glow-type illuminated gauge face rather than board-mounted lighting.

• Visuals are clean and evenly diffused, with color varying by model: cool blue, aqua green, ice white, etc.

Where things go wrong

• Electroluminescent/illumination wear: the face or illumination sheet can degrade, causing total loss of light or uneven “blotchy” hot/cold spots (“leaky” face).

• Power & logic faults: aging regulators, cold solder joints, and connector issues can cause intermittent or total power loss.

• Gauge driver/stepper issues: result in one or more gauges not working or drifting out of calibration.

• LCD driver/backlight issues: one or both lower LCDs (odometer, message center) may go dim, dead, or garbled.

Important pricing note: A leaky gauge face requires an add-on repair because we must replace the entire gauge face and the illumination sheet. If you only select standard repair but our bench test identifies a leaky face, we’ll notify you so you can approve the add-on before we proceed.

Symptoms checklist (use this when ordering)

• Cluster completely dark (no backlight)

• Blotchy illumination / random dark spots across the face

• One or more gauges dead, sticky, or inaccurate

• Intermittent power (cluster drops out, then returns)

• Bottom LCD(s) not working (dim/dead/garbled)

• Warning lamps behaving inconsistently

When purchasing the service on UpFix.com, select every symptom you see. If you suspect blotchy lighting, check the “Leaky Gauge Face” add-on so we can replace the face and illumination sheet during the same service.

Why UpFix

• Chrysler/Dodge expertise: We’ve repaired thousands of these unique glow-face clusters and know the exact failure modes.

• Bench testing & verification: Your unit is exercised under load to confirm lighting uniformity, gauge function, and LCD behavior.

• Component-level repair: We address the root cause—not just the symptom—including drivers, regulators, interconnects, and the gauge face/illumination assembly when selected.

• Plug-and-play return: Reinstalled units are designed to be plug-and-play—no coding in most cases.

• Transparent communication: If our test finds a leaky gauge face and the add-on wasn’t selected, we’ll contact you for approval before moving forward.

• Warranty & quality: Every repair is backed by UpFix quality assurance.

  
  

  Ready to fix it? Start your Chrysler/Dodge cluster repair at UpFix

The UpFix Process (what to expect)

1. Find your service: Go to UpFix.com, search your Chrysler/Dodge cluster, and open the service page for your exact unit.

2. Select symptoms & add-ons: Pick all applicable issues. If illumination is blotchy, select the Leaky Gauge Face add-on.

3. Purchase & pack: Complete checkout. Pack the cluster carefully (bubble wrap + sturdy box; no loose parts).

4. Ship to UpFix: Include your order details in the box.

5. Bench test & repair: We evaluate lighting, gauges, power, and LCDs; perform the standard repair; and, if selected/approved, replace the gauge face & illumination sheet.

6. Quality checks: Final verification for even illumination, stable power, accurate gauges, and legible LCDs.

7. Return shipping: We send it back ready to install.

Case Study #1 — Night Drive Saver

A 2011 Dodge owner reported a fully dark cluster after startup. Our bench test confirmed total illumination failure with otherwise healthy gauges. Standard repair restored power integrity and drivers; illumination returned to uniform, factory-like output. The vehicle passed inspection the same week.

Standard repair vs. “Leaky Gauge Face” add-on

Standard Repair Covers

• No/low power or intermittent power

• One or more gauges inoperative

• One/both bottom LCDs dim/dead/garbled

• Faulty drivers, cold joints, power regulation issues

Leaky Gauge Face Add-On Covers

• Blotchy illumination and random dark spots

• Replacement of gauge face and illumination sheet

• Ensures even, consistent glow across the panel

If you’re unsure, choose your known symptoms; if our bench test finds a leaky face you didn’t select, we’ll pause and notify you to approve the add-on.

Packaging checklist (prevent shipping damage)

• Wrap the cluster individually in bubble wrap (2–3 layers).

• Use a rigid box with at least 2" of padding on all sides.

• Include order number, contact info, and symptom list.

• Avoid peanuts alone (they shift); combine with bubble or foam

  Not sure which options to pick? Tell us your symptoms and we’ll confirm

FAQs

What vehicles are affected?
This illumination approach appears across various Chrysler and Dodge models that use a glow-face design. Even if the styling differs, the underlying technology is similar.

How do I know if I need the Leaky Gauge Face add-on?
If illumination looks blotchy with random dark spots—as if light is pooling or fading in patches—you likely need the add-on. We’ll verify on the bench and confirm with you if it wasn’t selected.

My cluster is totally dark—no light at all. Which option?
Select Standard Repair. If we determine the gauge face is also compromised, we’ll reach out about the add-on.

One or both of my bottom LCDs are dead. Is that included?
Yes—LCD faults are addressed in the standard repair.

Will the cluster be plug-and-play when it returns?
In most cases, yes. Just reinstall the original unit and reconnect.

Do you change mileage or VIN data?
No. UpFix does not alter mileage or VIN data.

What if I didn’t select the add-on and you find a leak?
We notify you before proceeding so you can approve any additional work.

Turnaround time?
Turnaround is efficient and consistent; exact timing depends on workload and parts availability. You’ll get status updatesalong the way.

FAQs

What vehicles are affected?
This illumination approach appears across various Chrysler and Dodge models that use a glow-face design. Even if the styling differs, the underlying technology is similar.

How do I know if I need the Leaky Gauge Face add-on?
If illumination looks blotchy with random dark spots—as if light is pooling or fading in patches—you likely need the add-on. We’ll verify on the bench and confirm with you if it wasn’t selected.

My cluster is totally dark—no light at all. Which option?
Select Standard Repair. If we determine the gauge face is also compromised, we’ll reach out about the add-on.

One or both of my bottom LCDs are dead. Is that included?
Yes—LCD faults are addressed in the standard repair.

Will the cluster be plug-and-play when it returns?
In most cases, yes. Just reinstall the original unit and reconnect.

Do you change mileage or VIN data?
No. UpFix does not alter mileage or VIN data.

What if I didn’t select the add-on and you find a leak?
We notify you before proceeding so you can approve any additional work.

Turnaround time?
Turnaround is efficient and consistent; exact timing depends on workload and parts availability. You’ll get status updatesalong the way.