4th gen cluster differences

[oliver99]

Hello,

I would like to use a digital odometer cluster in place of a '93 analog cluster. I have done some research and have come up with differences regarding fuel gauge (which can be overcome) and the cluster being controlled by the PCM via Class2 (which can be overcome as well with some effort).

What I'm really interested in is the differences in the telltale lights. As far as I can tell from the (fuzzy) images of the clusters on eBay, the combination and/or appearance of "idiot lights" seems to have changed from year to year. For instance, sometimes "low coolant" is an icon, other times it is two words.

So, I would like to compile a list of changes from model year to model year to better be able to tell which year cluster I'm looking at (because many times eBay items or even used pards from the yard are marked the wrong year).

The dimensions and mounting points seem to be identical, but are they really, or are the subtle differences?

I appreciate any information!

Best regards,

Oliver

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: 4th gen cluster differences

Well I'm sure you already noted this, but the dashboard (and cluster) changed in 97. Some 97s came with analog odometers, but generally they came with digital. I believe 97+ had a low fuel light, whereas previously there was none. IIRC there is a difference somewhere in the 97-02 clusters that disallows them to be interchangeable..it may have been the throttle control change in 99.

But from what it sounds like, you are merely interested in swapping a digital odometer module into your 93 cluster, correct?

[oliver99]

Re: 4th gen cluster differences

Well I'm sure you already noted this, but the dashboard (and cluster) changed in 97. Some 97s came with analog odometers, but generally they came with digital. I believe 97+ had a low fuel light, whereas previously there was none. IIRC there is a difference somewhere in the 97-02 clusters that disallows them to be interchangeable..it may have been the throttle control change in 99.

But from what it sounds like, you are merely interested in swapping a digital odometer module into your 93 cluster, correct?

Basically, yes, but I'd like to know what to watch out for when taking a look at a possible donor part. But of course I'm also curious :)

As you stated, the digital odometer is an obvious feature, so it's easy to tell the cluster is an 97+. Sometime in '98 GM seems to have phased in a new resistance range for the fuel sending unit, but that can be fixed by putting an older GM gauge driver onto the newer board. Later on (99?) most (all?) of the gauges and lamps were controlled from other modules, mainly the PCM, but also the airbag CM, BCM, etc. I think at some point GM switched to LEDs instead of bulbs for some lights, which may also be a nice feature.
But the general consensus is the 99+ OBD2 clusters are not suitable for being swapped into a car with an analog gauge without a Class 2 bus. Being able to use clusters other than the '97/98 would allow the use of a broader range of donor parts, but there really is some effort in making this a viable option.

So the question remains: which year cluster (97-02) has which set of warning lights or other features to tell the year from looking at just a picture (or maybe a simple question to ask an unknowledgeable seller/boneyard hunter)