Chevy Equinox Dashboard Display Not Working - Best Fixes

We will tell you everything you need to know about why your Chevy Equinox display isn't working, what might cause it to stop working, and how you can approach fixing it! As such, if you are a Chevy Equinox owner or plan to become one, you've to the right place!

Screen problems highlights

• Reasons:screen death, connections, physical damage, high voltage, glitch
• Quick fix:reset the system, check power, check fuse, check wiring
• Price forrepair:$0 - $1,000
• Time forrepair:0.5 - 3 hours
• Howcommon:quite common
• DIYrepair:possible

Best Fixes for Chevrolet Equinox Dashboard Display Not Working

1) Restart the Car

Did you try turning it on and off? Yes, we are all slightly annoyed when someone asks this question while trying to fix something, but the reality is that this fixes most electrical car problems, statistically speaking.

Therefore, it's always a good idea to turn off your car, leave it for 10-15 minutes so all of its systems turn off, and then come back and turn the car on. Who knows, turning it off and on might just be the solution your Equinox needed.

2) Check the Fuse Box

In many cases, the reason why your dashboard display is due to a blown fuse that stops the supply of current to your dashboard display systems. To fix this, you should look under the dashboard on the driver's side to locate the fuse box.

Be sure to find a fuse labeled "Instrument Cluster" or "Dashboard Display" and try to look for any signs of damage such as burn marks or dirt and debris ingress. If the fuse is indeed blown or severely damaged, the best thing to do would be to buy a new one. However, be sure to always go for a fuse with the same rating.

3) Check the Dimmer Switch

Some problems require complex solutions while others can be dealt with surprisingly easily. One such solution is when you accidentally lower your dimmer switch to its lowest setting and thus turn the dashboard display brightness all the way down.

This will make it seem like the display isn't working, but in reality, it's just too dim to see. To remedy this, look for the dimmer switch near the lights controls and turn it all the way up. If this does not help, proceed to the next solution.

4) Reset the Battery

Modern-day cars are filled with immense technology that is inevitably going to cause problems at some point, especially when the car is a few years old. If your dashboard display suddenly stopped working and the first two solutions are not helping, it's best to park the car up and reset the battery.

To do so, you'll want to first disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery and wait 10-15 minutes. Then you should connect it all up as that is going to reset the battery and hopefully fix all of your temporary electrical issues.

5) Update the Software

Now we are getting into the nitty gritty of things as doing software updates is not something you should try alone. Chevrolet and all other automakers these days use millions of lines of code which means that you should let a professional do the software update.

Automakers are aware that software tends to bog down every now and then and if the bug is widespread, they are likely going to release a software update designed to resolve the problem. As such, call your dealership and check if there is a software update available for your Equinox.

6) Check for Physical Connections

This is another relatively simple solution to the problem, but you'll have to gain access to the back end of your dashboard. This will require taking a few panels off which can be time-consuming if you are not 100% aware of how to do it.

When you do find your way to the cables and wires, make sure that all of them are securely connected to the system. If one is loose or disconnected, you ought to invest in new ones and replace them.

7) Take Your Car in for an Inspection

If all of these did you no good, it's time to take your car in for an inspection. Cars are complex machines and it often takes more than just goodwill to fix it. A Chevrolet dealership is equipped with the very best Chevy-intended diagnostics tools that are going to be able to deep scan your car to see what might be wrong with it.

What Causes Chevy Equinox Dashboard Display Problems?

Well, there are many potential causes to this problem, but the most common ones are software glitches which are simply unavoidable with modern-day cars. However, most software glitches are temporary and shouldn't cause overly serious problems.

Other common causes include battery and power issues, but these don't just affect your dashboard display. Batter and power (alternator) issues tend to affect other accessories such as your lights, your A/C, your power windows, etc.

A blown fuse or other problems with wiring and cables can also be reasons why your dashboard display stopped working. However, there might be something more serious wrong with your car if you experience blow fuses frequently, so it would be a good idea to diagnose your car and inspect it if you came across more blown fuses.

Even though this isn't frequent, your dashboard display might be malfunctioning because it's a defective unit. This means that everything else with your car is fine except for the dashboard display system itself. If that is indeed the case, you'll have to replace the unit which does cost quite a bit of money.

How Reliable is the Chevrolet Equinox?

The Chevrolet Equinox has been around the block for quite a while now which means that a straight answer of whether is it reliable or not is sadly not a viable option.

Earlier 2000s Chevy Equinox models were known to experience transmission and engine issues, both of which could be serious enough to completely stop the car from driving. Newer models are comparably better which is why many reputable reliability surveys (J.D Power, Consumer Reports) gave it an average to above average reliability rating.

On the other hand, RepairPal gave it a 3.5/5 reliability rating which means that it isn't even on the average level. All in all, many things affect the reliability of a car which means that if you want your Equinox to be as reliable as it can be, be sure to maintain it, don't drive too aggressively, keep it clean, and don't use it for what it was never intended to do.

Should I Buy a Chevrolet Equinox?

If you are after a decent, affordable, and fairly spacious family crossover/SUV, the Chevy Equinox might be a really good choice. Sure, the Equinox isn't the world's biggest car but it can easily accommodate a smaller family in great comfort.

If you are after an off-roader or a car that breeds excitement and dynamics, the Chevrolet Equinox is not a car for you. Moreover, the Equinox is also a semi-economy level vehicle which means that it isn't nearly as luxurious as some of its premium rivals, but that is to be expected given the cost.

Conclusion

The dashboard display not working has been quite a common complaint for Chevrolet Equinox owners all around NA. The best way to fix this problem depends on what actually is wrong with the system. Most people get away with just resetting the battery or doing a software update, but some will have to perform more serious repairs and replacements to get the job done.

Either way, the Chevrolet Equinox is a very good family crossover/SUV that offers essential functionality through its dashboard display. As such, it's on you to make sure everything works as intended, but if it does not, you can visit our blog for the best repair and maintenance guides on the internet!