Slap The Dash Syndrome.

[Nate's Alero]

well, going to do a two color dash soon, i i did search and found nothing, i dont exactly know how to remove the gauge cluster..... anyone know or care to post a how too? half of the lights in my dash are burning out, have to "slap" the dash to get some to come on.... its annoying and dangerous... help?

[cherrington17]

check my "led gauge cluster" thread. its got how to remove the gauges.

[Trickyslick]

Well the cluster is only held on by 2 10mm (I think) bolts that hold the benzel in and then unplug the tripometer (if you have it there) then its 4 more 10 mm bolts around the 4 corners then it just pops out and you unplug it. Very easy. Look for a how to change the bulbs or swap them out for LEDs. Hope that helps

[cherrington17]

i think they are 10mm.... but again.. i'm also not certain on that.

[Silentalero]

either way its simple, 2 bolts on top and pull. then reach behind and disconnect the trip button. Its out. THen its just unbolting the cluster itself

[Trickyslick]

Thanks....fixed

i think they are 10mm.... but again.. i'm also not certain on that.

[Nate's Alero]

well,is the gauge like an entire assembly that i have to get to to take apart? like removing various aspects of the gauge to do? also, if i remove the needles will the gauge like become uncalibrated? i need to know these thing because i want to do certian replacement needles and gauge faces... can you also replace the bulbs for the warning lights?

[cherrington17]

no
no
kinda. (just need to replace the needles in the right spot, and adjust after putting the cluster back in)
and finally, some.

[Nate's Alero]

no
no
kinda. (just need to replace the needles in the right spot, and adjust after putting the cluster back in)
and finally, some.

thanks for your well written response

what i was trying to ask about the needles,is when you pull them off,what they are mounted to, does it like unwind and then you need to like rewind and then place ion again?

[cherrington17]

no. they just pull straight off. you just need to note where they where when they came off... so when you put them back on, they line up with the spot on the gauges correctly.

[Nate's Alero]

no. they just pull straight off. you just need to note where they where when they came off... so when you put them back on, they line up with the spot on the gauges correctly.

oh ok

[cherrington17]

the needles don't need to be in the EXACT same spot, but you want them to be as close as possible.

having your tach/coolant off, wouldn't be a HUGE deal, but speedo and gas could be.

[Nate's Alero]

the needles don't need to be in the EXACT same spot, but you want them to be as close as possible.

having your tach/coolant off, wouldn't be a HUGE deal, but speedo and gas could be.

yeah, what i was getting at was like, will the little needle stump/driver thing will fly backwards and unwind or sumthin.. and then i would never be able to find the exact location.... i was just unsure.. :)

[cherrington17]

its a motor... it can't unwind... :lol:

essentially... if you put the needles in the wrong spot... you'll know as soon as you reconnect the gauges. instead of being all at 0.. one will by at 5x, your coolant will be half, gas tank will be past E and speedo will read 180mph. :lol:


just put a screwdriver under them, and pry lightly and they pop off.

OH! and when putting them on, don't push them down all the way, flush. they aren't meant to go down that far. just tap them into place and leave it

[Cliff8928]

i think they are 10mm.... but again.. i'm also not certain on that.

Most of the interior screws are 7mm.

essentially... if you put the needles in the wrong spot... you'll know as soon as you reconnect the gauges. instead of being all at 0.. one will by at 5x, your coolant will be half, gas tank will be past E and speedo will read 180mph. :lol:

Man, how do I make my 140MPH speedometer read 180 :p

[cherrington17]

Most of the interior screws are 7mm.

Good to know... like i said, i could be wrong.


Man, how do I make my 140MPH speedometer read 180 :p

that was part of the joke... :glare:

[[ion] C2]

they are 10mm

[Nate's Alero]

its a motor... it can't unwind... :lol:

essentially... if you put the needles in the wrong spot... you'll know as soon as you reconnect the gauges. instead of being all at 0.. one will by at 5x, your coolant will be half, gas tank will be past E and speedo will read 180mph. :lol:


just put a screwdriver under them, and pry lightly and they pop off.

OH! and when putting them on, don't push them down all the way, flush. they aren't meant to go down that far. just tap them into place and leave it

ok thanks i thought they were like stepper motors and they were like spring loaded when you pulled the needle off