RAM 1500 Instrument Cluster Problem - How to Solve the Issues?

As you were driving your RAM 1500 one day, your instrument cluster started acting up. The gauges kept jumping from one number to another in a blink of an eye, all the while flickering ferociously. The instrument cluster soon started to resemble an amusement park welcoming logo.

Dash electrical problems highlights

• Level of urgency:low
• DIY inspection:impossible
• DIY repair:impossible
• Can you drive?yes
• Price for repairs:$250 - $550
• Symptoms:glitchy dash, functions not working, no lights, no data
• Ways to solve:try disconnecting the battery for some time, take it to a professional

How serious are instrument cluster problems on my RAM 1500?

Though the instrument cluster is an important component of your RAM 1500, it isn't an essential one. It doesn't affect your engine's performance in any way, meaning you can still drive your vehicle. The instrument cluster simply provides you with readings about your RAM 1500. These include current velocity, fuel levels, RPMs, engine temperature, and distance from the beginning of your ride.

But just because these readings aren't vital to your RAM's performance doesn't mean you can ignore a faulty instrument cluster. When it malfunctions, these readings will be off. As a result, it may not be safe for you to drive your vehicle. Every single area has a designated maximum speed that you must respect. Meeting this limit is difficult if you can't tell your RAM 1500's speed. At best, you'll receive a fine for driving too fast. At worst, you risk getting into an accident.

Knowing your fuel levels is also important, especially if they're low. When you drive with a faulty instrument cluster, you risk running out of fuel. We recommend addressing this issue as soon as you can to prevent this scenario.

And finally, your engine temperature reading is arguably the most important one of them all. An overheating engine is never a good sign. Not will it wear down faster, but it may also seize and stop working altogether. Having a functional instrument cluster can help you prevent this issue.

Thus, a bad instrument cluster isn't the worst problem your RAM 1500 can have, you shouldn't underestimate it. If it happens to you, avoid taking long trips and have your vehicle checked immediately.

Common symptoms of RAM 1500 instrument cluster issues

You can identify the symptoms of a bad instrument cluster easily. All of them are tied to your RAM 1500's gauges.

In mild cases, the lights may flicker or glow dimmer than usual. This means the gauges don't receive sufficient power. You should inspect the connectors and the wiring if you experience this.

Erratic readings are also common. This means your gauges jump through several different values instead of displaying the correct one. Bad wiring and computer issues can both cause this problem.

In the worst-case scenario, the instrument cluster on your RAM 1500 won't come online at all. In this case, you'll have to replace it completely.

7 reasons the instrument cluster on your RAM 1500 doesn't work properly

The instrument cluster is an electrical system that displays vital information about your RAM 1500. When it goes bad, you'll feel as if you were driving blindly. But since this component relies on electricity, it may malfunction for several reasons. Identifying the cause can help you determine the severity of the issue. In some cases, you may even be able to fix it yourself.

Here are the 7 common reasons your RAM 1500 instrument cluster doesn't work:

1) Blown fuse

While a blown fuse is a fairly common problem, you can fix it easily. Keep in mind that a blown fuse will depower all the gauges, not just one. If only one of them had gone bad, the issue likely lies elsewhere.

Luckily, you can check it easily. The fuse box lies in the engine compartment of your RAM 1500, near the battery. If you find a blown fuse, simply replacing it should fix the issue. If not, consider checking some of the other probable causes on this list.

2) Faulty sensor

Every single gauge on your instrument cluster is connected to a sensor. This sensor analyzes your RAM 1500's stats and sends it to the gauge itself. When it goes bad, the corresponding gauge won't display correct readings. Unlike in the case of a blown fuse, a faulty sensor affects only one or two gauges. The speedometer sensor is especially prone to this issue.

Unfortunately, you likely can't fix this yourself - you'll have to visit a mechanic.

3) Bad or incorrectly installed connectors

The instrument cluster requires a power source to operate. Thus, it is part of your RAM 1500's electrical circuit. Bad connectors will disrupt the current, causing the instrument cluster to malfunction. Fortunately, you can fix this issue easily.

Since you're dealing with electricity, make sure you disconnect the battery before attempting any fixes. Once you do, reconnect loose or badly installed connectors. The issue should disappear once you reconnect the battery. If not, the cause likely lies elsewhere.

4) Bad voltage regulator

As part of an electrical circuit, your instrument cluster is connected to a voltage regulator. This device ensures consistent voltage across all parts of the system. If faulty, it can wreak havoc on your RAM 1500's gauges. While they will still work, the readings will be erratic and inconsistent. This is because the gauges receive fluctuating amounts of power.

However, this can also happen if you jumpstart your vehicle or replace the battery. In this case, the readings should return to normal after a short while. If they don't, your voltage regulator is likely to blame. You'll need a professional mechanic to examine this issue.

5) Faulty ground wire

The instrument cluster on your RAM 1500 may be acting up because of a bad ground wire. You can find it under the dashboard. If it's broken or corroded, the gauges won't work properly. However, you should leave tinkering with electrical circuits to an expert.

6) Faulty instrument cluster

If you fail to detect any issues, your instrument cluster itself may be bad. If so, all gauges on your RAM 1500 won't light up at all. This can be a nuisance since you won't be able to check your speed or fuel levels. In this case, you'll have to replace the whole instrument cluster. Be prepared to spend as much as $800 on the new part.

This issue affects mostly RAM 1500 models made in 2017.

7) Computer errors

Your RAM 1500 has a computer that controls the instrument cluster. When it malfunctions, your dashboard gauges may start acting up. The good news is that such computer errors are rare. But if you've exhausted all options on this list, this may be what's happening with your RAM 1500. Sadly, you'll need professional help to resolve the problem.

Can you fix the instrument cluster issues on your RAM 1500 alone?

Whether you can fix the instrument cluster issues on your RAM 1500 alone depends on the root of the issue. For instance, you can replace a blown fuse yourself. The process is simple and doesn't require much knowledge. The same goes for inspecting the connectors. If you find some that are loose, you can reattach them properly on your own. Just make sure you disconnect the battery while you do this.

But apart from these two cases, you will likely need professional help to address the instrument cluster issues on your RAM 1500. This is because they can be caused by several faulty components. Identifying and addressing this issue is difficult. Without the proper knowledge, you may end up doing more harm than good. One downside is that these repairs can be very costly.

How much does it cost to replace my RAM 1500 instrument cluster?

While this issue may not be the most serious one out there, it isn't the cheapest either. You're lucky if you manage to have it repaired for under $800. Depending on your location, the costs may even climb as high as $1,000. This is because replacing the entire instrument cluster is often the only solution to these issues. The part itself is quite expensive, not to mention the associated labor costs.

Final thoughts on RAM 1500 instrument cluster problems

While you can drive your RAM 1500 with a bad instrument cluster, we don't recommend it. This device provides you with vital information about your vehicle. This includes your current speed, RPMs, fuel levels, and more. Without this information, you risk getting into accidents or running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.

You can notice potential instrument cluster issues when you look at the gauges. In case of a malfunction, they will flicker and display erratic readings. In some cases, they might not even come online when you start your RAM 1500.

Many other components can cause the instrument cluster to malfunction. Depending on the cause, the problem can affect one or several gauges. The repair costs also depend on the root of the issue. In the best-case scenario, you'll be able to handle the repairs yourself. In the worst-case one, you might have to spend a great amount of money on replacing the instrument cluster.