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Odometer goes dark - sometimes

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Old Jul 24, 2013 | 12:00 AM
  #1  
Luke Winkelman's Avatar
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From: Rockwell City, Iowa
Odometer goes dark - sometimes

A couple weeks ago my odometer started going dark. I thought my dimmer switch was turned down, so I adjusted it-no luck. The next time I drove my truck, bright as day. During my commute to work a couple days later I checked when I first headed out and it was looking good. A dozen miles down the road-nothing. when I got to work, it was back up and running. when it works and doesn't isn't dependent on wether the lights are on or if the dimmer switch is fiddled with (all other lights spedo backlight, radio, fuel econ dim with the dimmer switch just fine) Anyone else have this problem or fix it before? I'm wondering if maybe my cluster panel is on the blink. I enclosed a picture with the odometer out.
Thanks in advance.
Luke
Attached Thumbnails Odometer goes dark - sometimes-img_20130723_135044_800.jpg  
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Old Jul 24, 2013 | 09:22 AM
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I have the same problem in my 04.5, bought it that way and now its completely gone and all the lights in that cluster, 4WD, low wash,lamp out ect. but nothing else is malfunctioning in my cluster. I would sure like to know whats causing it and how to fix. also brake/abs always on which I am guessing is why my cruise will engage for about 3 seconds then not work
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Old Jul 25, 2013 | 03:44 PM
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Luke Winkelman's Avatar
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I snuck up on the odometer and caught a picture of it while it was behaving ha ha!
Attached Thumbnails Odometer goes dark - sometimes-img_20130724_065032_887.jpg  
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Old Jun 16, 2014 | 07:32 PM
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Bringing this thread back. Having the same issue. I have noticed if I "work" the dimmer switch it will eventually start working. Anyone figure out the fix? Thanks
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Old Aug 5, 2018 | 04:58 AM
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From: Ness City, KS
Has anyone come up with a solution for this??
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Old Aug 7, 2018 | 12:41 PM
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From: Avondale AZ
I am also having the same issue. I have played with the dimmer switch with no luck. Could it be a bad ground on the cluster?
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Old Aug 8, 2018 | 06:09 AM
  #7  
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From: Central Mexico.
In the past there have been some threads about the circuit boards in the panel having cold soldered joints and even cracked. Perhaps one of you that is having these problems could pull the board, check it very carefully for bad contacts or a crack, resolder it and let the rest of us know what you find.
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Old Oct 27, 2018 | 09:54 PM
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I've having the same problem.
I took the cluster out and looked for bad solder joints. Saw none, but anyway, I reheated most of the joints.
No change to the odometer.
The light seems to work when it is cold and quits when it is warm.
I use the overhead console to know how many miles on each tank.
Any solutions?? Thanks
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Old Oct 28, 2018 | 12:40 PM
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From: Jonesborough, TN
I have not had this problem, nor have I had this specific part of the truck out...

However: I had a TV that was crapping the bed because the solder runs being cracked... I baked it in the oven and let it cool, good as new. It started crapping the bed about a year later, same procedure, no issues.

I'm not sure what this part looks like, but it could be possible. Google baking printed circuit boards or PCBs, there is some info out there. Again, not sure if it will work in this situation, but it's worth a little research.
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Old Oct 28, 2018 | 04:57 PM
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From: Casco
Found this on another site near bottom shows fix.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...olution-2.html
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Old Oct 28, 2018 | 04:58 PM
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From: Colorado
Madhat,
Thanks for the interesting reply. I don't know if I have the nerve to bake the circuit board.
The board is detachable.
I'll google and then make a final decision.
Cheers
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Old Oct 28, 2018 | 05:13 PM
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From: Colorado
Savoy
Thanks for the info.
I'll take the board out and resolder those circled joints.
I didn't those the first time around.
Cheers
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