2020 Tacoma - Dashboard gauges, Headunit Randomly Malfunction While Driving

Hey Y'all

While driving on the highway, my tacoma randomly would beep twice then the radio would cut out, the speedometer would show the needle rising and dropping sporadically, and I believe my headlights turned off too. Additionally, the small screen on the dashboard, and the dashboard lights turned off. Gas and brakes still worked (I think throttle the gas helped it stop this malfunctioning more quickly?), however, it seemed like when this occurred, the truck would disengage from cruise control. This is the second time this has happened in the last 24 hours.

Never had issues with this truck until now. I did have it serviced back in January for oil change and routine maintenance (Truck has 15,000 miles or so).

I shared a video of it happening, I caught it at the tail end of the malfunctioning.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

https://youtu.be/cdYhbDmjRjI

 

Any recent mods? Any electrical work? Sounds like a loose ground, maybe mouse chewed wiring. Any CEL?

 

Nothing recent no.

• OvTune was flashed almost a 16 months ago.
• Subwoofer & amp installed 13 months ago
• Installed Morimoto XB Headlights 8 months ago

Nothing like this malfunctioning had occurred in that time. No check engine light either in that span.

Worried the dealership will try and weasel or claim no issues.

 

And what if the cause is from one of these owner modifications? The dealership would be a weasel for not repairing it for free?

Many times when a vehicle has multiple electrical systems malfunctioning it can be a poor or bad ground somewhere but that is no guarantee in your case.

I would inspect the following modifications in this order:

1. Stereo mods
2. Headlight mods
3. Tune (although I would not spend much time there)

Let us know if any other symptoms appear.

 

Definitely looks like a loose connector with intermittent issues like that.

Just to recap:

1. Speedometer needle
2. Gauge cluster screen
3. Gauge cluster backlighting
4. Headunit screen
5. Potentially headlights
6. Potentially cruise control

Correct? If so, I'll have to go digging in the EWD for the 2020+ and hope there's a single connector for all those signals/paths.

**EDIT**
I would check this connector at the back of your gauge cluster:

 

Thanks for your input.

My electrical knowledge regarding automotives is minute, however, the headlights installed didn't use any grounding, it was all plug and play. I will check the amplifier ground wire (am I just confirming the ground is not loosened, or is there something else I should be looking for?). It is weird that all the mods were running fine for quite a bit of time and then this issue popped up out of the blue months down the line.

 

Hi --

Yes that was the gist of the malfunctioning. Speed and braking and steering were unaffected, just electricals.


Is that connector directly behind the gauge cluster? I am assuming I'll have to rip the whole cluster out from the dashboard?

 

As was mentioned, that looks like it could be a loose ground somewhere. I would start by making sure your battery cables are tight and checking over the engine compartment close for rodent damage. Outside of that, someone will need to pull the current and historical codes (for all modules) and see if they can find a clue that would point them in the right direction. Many times, modules will throw voltage alarms with bad grounds.

 

Thanks for the input, I'll be sure to check the grounds. Is there a common place in the engine rodents signs would show themselves? Do I need to jack my truck up to check underneath?

 

Here's the location, although it can seem confusing:


I've also attached further documentation to help you.

The instrument cluster center finish panel sub-assembly and the instrument cluster finish panel assembly both just pull out. The steering wheel can be a bit of a pain but it's doable if you're careful and adjust the steering wheel around as necessary.