talontsiawd
Well-Known Member
I have seen a bunch of threads about taking the needles off the gauge cluster and people think it is a disaster to get them back. It can be, especially if you are not careful. With the proper tools, it is easy. You can buy one of these and not have any issues: http://www.google.com/#q=obd+ii+dat...&resnum=3&ved=0CD8QrQQwAg&fp=c72bee5a4a93f9a3
If you don't want to shell out that kind of money and this is a one time thing, I can give you some tips.
Read carefully:
Temp gauge: Drive your car until it is fully warmed up. With your car on, mark where the needle is pointing at. I used white out, but any mark that is easily removed will work. A pencil can work, etc. Make sure you can get it off.
When you need to put it back on, drive your car and make sure it is fully warmed up. Put the needle back on while the car is still on, with the needle pointing at your mark. This is the easy one.
Gas Gauge: Mark where your current fuel level is. Don't drive AT ALL while you do the work you need to do with the needle off. Place it pointing the mark you make. Leave the clear plastic panel off and go though a tank of gas. If it reads properly, you are good. If it does not, when you fill your tank, move it to full. Hopefully it reads empty when you are done. If not, try again. Repeat until you get it right. This took me about 5 tanks to get perfect.
Speedometer Gauge: After you have taken it off and done what you need to do, put the needle right under the plastic piece that is the stopper. Then, pull it over without removing the needle. Go to your nearest "speed sign" and verify. I am talking about the radar things that list your speed. Try to go to 3-4 because they are not accurate enough to trust one. If they all are correct, you are good. If not, try again. A datalogger makes this much easier however as it should show your exact speed because it is going off your car's speed sensor. I was able to do without this.
Tachometer Gauge: Mark your idle speed when warmed up. When replacing the needle, warm your car up 100%, put needle to that marker. Note: do this after you do your gas gauge.. Redline your car, see if it hits the limiter at the right point. Hopefully it does. If not, you can redline your car and place the needle. Obviously, do this when parked, not driving. Don't be on the rev limiter for long periods of time, and don't be surprised if neighbors are very confused. Make sure the needle goes down to your idle mark (car must be warmed up). If it works, you are good, if not, try again. This is the other gauge where a data logger really helps.
I take no responsibility if you mess up your gauges. This is just to help if you don't want to shell out the money for a data logger. A data logger helps tremendously and ensures accuracy, I recommend buying one or borrowing one over my technique. If you don't have the money or access to one, this is how I got my gauges accurate.
Results may vary
If you don't want to shell out that kind of money and this is a one time thing, I can give you some tips.
Read carefully:
Temp gauge: Drive your car until it is fully warmed up. With your car on, mark where the needle is pointing at. I used white out, but any mark that is easily removed will work. A pencil can work, etc. Make sure you can get it off.
When you need to put it back on, drive your car and make sure it is fully warmed up. Put the needle back on while the car is still on, with the needle pointing at your mark. This is the easy one.
Gas Gauge: Mark where your current fuel level is. Don't drive AT ALL while you do the work you need to do with the needle off. Place it pointing the mark you make. Leave the clear plastic panel off and go though a tank of gas. If it reads properly, you are good. If it does not, when you fill your tank, move it to full. Hopefully it reads empty when you are done. If not, try again. Repeat until you get it right. This took me about 5 tanks to get perfect.
Speedometer Gauge: After you have taken it off and done what you need to do, put the needle right under the plastic piece that is the stopper. Then, pull it over without removing the needle. Go to your nearest "speed sign" and verify. I am talking about the radar things that list your speed. Try to go to 3-4 because they are not accurate enough to trust one. If they all are correct, you are good. If not, try again. A datalogger makes this much easier however as it should show your exact speed because it is going off your car's speed sensor. I was able to do without this.
Tachometer Gauge: Mark your idle speed when warmed up. When replacing the needle, warm your car up 100%, put needle to that marker. Note: do this after you do your gas gauge.. Redline your car, see if it hits the limiter at the right point. Hopefully it does. If not, you can redline your car and place the needle. Obviously, do this when parked, not driving. Don't be on the rev limiter for long periods of time, and don't be surprised if neighbors are very confused. Make sure the needle goes down to your idle mark (car must be warmed up). If it works, you are good, if not, try again. This is the other gauge where a data logger really helps.
I take no responsibility if you mess up your gauges. This is just to help if you don't want to shell out the money for a data logger. A data logger helps tremendously and ensures accuracy, I recommend buying one or borrowing one over my technique. If you don't have the money or access to one, this is how I got my gauges accurate.
Results may vary