Has anyone replaced the odometer gears in the instrument cluster? I am all set to do this job this weekend along with the dash bulbs. I plan on taking the entire dash cover off so I can also do a good job of gluing down the pass. airbag cover. I'm a little nervous about the job because of all that nice brittle 10 year old plastic that I'm hoping will not break. I am also concerned about removing the vacuum line on the turbo gauge as I've heard it's easy to break the cluster while doing that. Does anyone have any thoughts on this job or tips for me?

Thanks!

 

It is pretty easy. The cluster nipple isn't that brittle on anyones that I have ever done.
The clips for the cluster break at times though. Becarefull unlatching and latching them.
If you need any guidance I will be and off all weekend.

 

thanks tech. I appreciate it.

 

Thats what I am here for.

 

Thanks. Oh, one other question...I was reading a post where someone pulled the cluster out but when they put everything back together the SRS Airbag warning light came on and they had to take it to the dealer to get the light reset. I figured I was was going to disconnect the neg battery terminal because I need to pull the connector off the passenger air bag when I take the dash cover off. Is there anything else I should do to avoid the SRS Airbag light from going on?

Thanks!

 

If the light came on they must have turned the key on with the Air bag disconnected.
If you do everything with the battery disconnected then connect the battery you should be 100% fine.

 

Thanks tech!

 

You working on it today?

 

Yep! So far I've got the entire dash pad off and the instrument cluster is out. I replaced the bulbs and now I'm ready to take the cluster apart to get at the gear. My question is how does the vacuum line connection come off the back of the cluster? The black vacuum hose is still connected to the little white plastic nipple on the back of the cluster. I assume I have to take it off since I have to take the cluster apart. I don't want to break anything! Thanks!!!

 

I think you can leave that alone.
Unscrews all the T-10 or T-15 screws from around the edge. The remove all the screws holding the Black cover over the Curcuit Board. Then lift off and the speedo should be loose and come out.

Or you can try turning the black hose on the nipple. When you get the hose loose slide it off.

 

Got it! I just unscrewed the line until the whole thing came off. No problem. Now, I've taken off all the screws that go around the cluster plus two screws that are on the black part of the cluster. It still seems a little hard to pry off though. Do ALL the T10 screws come off the back of the cluster, especially all the ones on the black part? Thanks!!

 

Never mind. I figured out what was going on. There is quite a bit of prying to do but I got the gauge face off!

 

I tryed replying but the site kicked me off and wouldn't let the reply go through.

Make sure you take the phillips screws out from the back. That will allow the speedo to come out freely.

 

No problem! I also realized I had left the bulbs in! I think that might make a little difference...

 

Let me know how it goes in the end.

 

So far so good. New gear is in and the cluster is going back together. I'll let you know when the car is back in one piece. Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it!

 

No problem Glad I could help.

 

Well it all went back together no problem. Pulling the dash cover allowed me to glue down the pass airbag cover so that looks better now. I also polished the inst. panel lens because it had a bunch of grime on it. The new bulbs really seem to be a bit brighter than the old ones. I was able to set the odometer to the correct mileage by tediously turning the gears but it worked. Thanks again tech, you really helped me out man!! I bet I saved about $300!

 

Glad it all went well for you.

Did you drive it yet to make sure it works?

 

Yes, that was the best part! I went for a little spin and the trip meter, odometer and all gauges works fine. Before I put everything in the cluster back together I tested the trip odometer by pressing the reset button and it worked. Then I connected the turbo gauge line, pass airbag connector and reconnected the battery and tested the dash lights to make sure they all worked before I bolted the dash pad back together. Phew, glad that's over with! Once again, thanks for all your help and the fast replies while I was in the middle of working on it.