Well, after 31 years of ownership and 137K miles, my gauge cluster has developed a problem. Went out yesterday morning to head over to a cars and coffee, and the speedometer, tach and odometer were non-functional. The odometer was dark, apparently no power to it. Never had an issue with the cluster until yesterday.

Having read thru a lot of threads, many 20 years old or so, I know this is a common occurrence.

Couple of questions for the forum brain power:

Other than checking the “meter” fuse (which I’ve done) are there any other “easy” things to check before I pull out the cluster?

Secondly, if I pull the cluster, are there still shops out there that can repair it? I’ll look it over myself but honestly, I’d rather have a pro do a compete refresh of it before I reinstall. Back in 2020 I replaced the meter hood, radio surround and center console so my plastics are perfect right now. I hope to never have to pull this apart again!

Thanks for any knowledge you guys can share.

-Randy

 

Im pretty sure Mike still does service to the clusters. Everyone swears by him.
Kinda odd how the cluster just gives up the ghost that way.. I guess some of those capacitors just give up after 31yrs…
Yes, taking all the trim pieces off is a PITA. But you’re an expert on it if you’ve already taken it apart before.

 

Grounds. Check your grounds. Especially those under the dash.

When you send you gauges to Mike, don't leave the harnesses dangling under your dash......shorting hazard!

 

I don't recall exactly who I used to fix all my OEM gages but they did a great job. I posted it in my build page 93 rx7 improving a great sportscar.

 

Thanks Neo. Yeah, I was very surprised this popped up suddenly, but I've had a series of problems (mostly small) over the past few years so age is taking its toll on the car (and me!) Not an expert by any stretch removing these parts but I do have a number of pics and videos from the last go 'round to refer to.

Mike is Mike Gagne, correct?

thanks again

 

Thanks Redbul, will check the grounds

 

Good to hear you have reference material on the parts install/removal. Definitely comes in handy.

Yep, Mike Gagne.

 

Id like to add checking for corrosion on the connector tabs on the circuit sheet that runs along the back of the cluster. That caused me issues as well.

 

What are the gauges worth by themselves? I did a speedhut retrofit and have all the oem gauges just sitting in a box collecting dust.

 

Guys with JDM cars might like to swap in the USD 180 MPH/270kmph speedo. Try asking tor USD $250.


What mileage would the odo show?

 

125,000-130,000 miles dont remember the exact numbers but it was over 125,000 when i got it for sure.

Thanks for the help, ill get them out of storage and get some pics. If anyone needs a set let me know happy to help

 

Michael swapped in a USDM speedo into my friend's Version 5 RHD dash. I think he was able to reset the odo to the correct mileage of my friend 's car, and recalibrate his inputs to MPH.