Cluster Removal For Maintenence
02-Jan-2007, 02:35 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Leamington, Ontario
Posts: 429
Cluster Removal For Maintenence
ive seen some nice DIY's of people changing they're dash lighting and i wanted to do the same and get some brighter lights for my 91 civic hatch. i have two different booksfor my car that tells how to take apart the dash, but for some reason the way they explain it isnt the same as mine. it mentions that there are two plugs on top on the gauges and you have to pop them out and unscrew the screws but mine doesnt even have them and its for 88-91 this mentions im confused. it seems like i dont even have the original dash in the car beecause alot of things are different from what it says in the manual. i know the previous owner changed alot of parts in the car to get it looking new again just as door panels , fenders, etc. can you guys help me get my cluster out to change the lighting or is it too much of a hassle to worry about , i just dont want to break anything.
02-Jan-2007, 11:06 PM
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,881
1. Unscrew the gauge cluster housing; the top 2 screws are behind pop off panels on the top of the housing. A stubby flat head screw driver works best here to pop off the screw covers. Then, a stubby phillips works best to get the 2 screws out. There are another two screws on the bottom that you'll need to remove before taking off the cover.
2. Make sure you remove the 2-3 wire harnesses in back for the hazard switch, defroster, and any other harnesses back there. There may be more or less than 3 depending on the options the car has. The harnesses are very easy to remove. You simply squeeze with your thumb the ribbed portion, and pull. The seperate very easily, if it's giving you trouble your not squeezing hard enough, or in the right location. The hardest part here is having enough room for your hands to fit behind the cover.
3. Remove 4 more screws (2 on each side), then reach behind and unplug 3 plugs and unplug the spedometer cable (it unclips just like the plugs do) Then you're ready to pull the cluster out. The 3 harnesses pull out just like the other ones. The speedometer cable pulls straight out after you use your thumb to depress the little tab.
4. The clear plastic cover and black suround pop off as one peice. The trip odometer reset button has a rubber tip that needs to be pulled off first.
5. Pull the screws behind the speedo (2 of them have the wires from the grey box on them ) Then the speedo comes out.
6. Carefully, pry the spedo needle off, it pulls straight off, but it's really tight and really fragile. Then remove the 2 screws on the face and the face comes off. You have to do this because it's illegal to turn back the odometer, and besides, it's just plain easier to swap the original odometer for the new one.
7. The trip odometer reset buttons are in a slightly different place on the 2 spedos, so you have to swap the buttons as well. One screw will get the button itself off, and a tiny little clip holds the rod in place. Make sure you're in a clean work area here, because those little clips like to go flying! Also, notice that the blue plastic piece has a spring on it, more potential for parts flying! Pay close atention to how that spring goes on before removing, It's a little tricky to get on right.
8. Going back together is as easy as reversing the process. Now the new cluster has the old odometer in it. Be careful that the speedo needle is pointing to zero at rest; it's capable of going on in almost any position. If you're going to install colored face guages or face inserts/covers, now is the time. Same goes for an aluminum bezel. These can be bought on ebay for $10 + shipping, and give the cluster a race look. If you don't like the aluminum look, feel free to paint, powdercoat, or dye it!
9. On top of the cluster is this little piece that holds 2 light bulbs, it casts an amber glow on to the guages. You can replace the colors in these bulbs.
10. Put everything back together reverse of taking it off. The wiring harnesses and speedos go back on til they click. 3 plugs, 1 spedo cable, and 4 screws.
11. Enjoy your new tachometer. Put the stock one back together too and sell it on ebay!
2. Make sure you remove the 2-3 wire harnesses in back for the hazard switch, defroster, and any other harnesses back there. There may be more or less than 3 depending on the options the car has. The harnesses are very easy to remove. You simply squeeze with your thumb the ribbed portion, and pull. The seperate very easily, if it's giving you trouble your not squeezing hard enough, or in the right location. The hardest part here is having enough room for your hands to fit behind the cover.
3. Remove 4 more screws (2 on each side), then reach behind and unplug 3 plugs and unplug the spedometer cable (it unclips just like the plugs do) Then you're ready to pull the cluster out. The 3 harnesses pull out just like the other ones. The speedometer cable pulls straight out after you use your thumb to depress the little tab.
4. The clear plastic cover and black suround pop off as one peice. The trip odometer reset button has a rubber tip that needs to be pulled off first.
5. Pull the screws behind the speedo (2 of them have the wires from the grey box on them ) Then the speedo comes out.
6. Carefully, pry the spedo needle off, it pulls straight off, but it's really tight and really fragile. Then remove the 2 screws on the face and the face comes off. You have to do this because it's illegal to turn back the odometer, and besides, it's just plain easier to swap the original odometer for the new one.
7. The trip odometer reset buttons are in a slightly different place on the 2 spedos, so you have to swap the buttons as well. One screw will get the button itself off, and a tiny little clip holds the rod in place. Make sure you're in a clean work area here, because those little clips like to go flying! Also, notice that the blue plastic piece has a spring on it, more potential for parts flying! Pay close atention to how that spring goes on before removing, It's a little tricky to get on right.
8. Going back together is as easy as reversing the process. Now the new cluster has the old odometer in it. Be careful that the speedo needle is pointing to zero at rest; it's capable of going on in almost any position. If you're going to install colored face guages or face inserts/covers, now is the time. Same goes for an aluminum bezel. These can be bought on ebay for $10 + shipping, and give the cluster a race look. If you don't like the aluminum look, feel free to paint, powdercoat, or dye it!
9. On top of the cluster is this little piece that holds 2 light bulbs, it casts an amber glow on to the guages. You can replace the colors in these bulbs.
10. Put everything back together reverse of taking it off. The wiring harnesses and speedos go back on til they click. 3 plugs, 1 spedo cable, and 4 screws.
11. Enjoy your new tachometer. Put the stock one back together too and sell it on ebay!
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