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Alpiners's avatar
Alpiners
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017

Speedometer and gas tank level not working

We have a 36 ft 2003 Southwind on a Workhorse chassis and our speedometer quit working when we started out on our trip. Now we filled up the gas tank and it shows half a tank. The information on the panel is very hard to read, can't sometimes even tell what gear we are in and we can't read our mileage. Anyone else having the same issues? Someone once said there was a recall on the dash cluster panel but we can't find anything. Any ideas???
  • This is the recall below. There was also a re-flash available to fix a problem with a intermittent drop out of gauge info but it was not a recall.

    "50402-C
    Defect Summary: CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAY" AND STANDARD NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." MODELS WITH ACTIA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE INCORRECT SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE CLUSTER SUCH THAT CERTAIN WARNINGS ARE NOT DISPLAYED.
    Consequence Summary: INCORRECT SOFTWARE MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ILLUMINATE WARNING LAMPS INDICATING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES. THE STANDARDS REQUIRE DRIVER WARNING WHEN BRAKE FAILURE CODES ARE SET.
    Corrective Summary: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 ."
  • On some that I have seen the circuit board on the back gets broken solder connections which will cause erratic issues.
  • Cluster failure results in lack of several vital components such as fuel gauge,speedometer and odometer. Not a good feeling when driving...... Suggest you get the cluster checked as step #1 or maybe the reflash/recall will fix it!
  • DryCreek wrote:
    Sounds like the "Actia Instrument Cluster Failure" I've heard about in the past. There is also an active recall to reflash the module. It looks like remanufactured instrument clusters are available from several sources. They don't seem to be overly expensive for the part (around $150), but if you're not handy with a screwdriver the labor may add up.


    Good information. If both problems happened at the same time, it points to electrics.
  • Sounds like the "Actia Instrument Cluster Failure" I've heard about in the past. There is also an active recall to reflash the module. It looks like remanufactured instrument clusters are available from several sources. They don't seem to be overly expensive for the part (around $150), but if you're not handy with a screwdriver the labor may add up.
  • Have friends whose Workhorse dash panels failed several times. Nothing would work. Needed a new module of some kind p sorry memory is dim.............. Likely need to get it check out.
  • Thanks NMDriver, I'll check that out. SprinkFitter, when I said level, I meant that we don't know how much gas we have.
  • Check the ground cable connections for the dash. I am not familiar with your unit but somewhere under the dash-hopefully around the fuse box and easy to access-you should find a ground strap or white? ground wire going to a bolt that has a loose or missing nut.

    I have similar issues on my Astro Van and tightening the ground wire nut fixed it.