Is there a way to check if the speedo lighting is functioning properly while out of the car? Is there a specific prong on the back (power) to turn everything on.

I want to see the lighting and the odometer reading section to make sure the conversion I am doing worked before I install it in the car.

 

Connecting the gauge cluster to the four plugs in the dash only takes a minute if you remove the gauges from the hood. That's the easiest way to check the gauges.

 

Yes but these gauges are ones that im experimenting with, so for me to take the cluster apart just to see if they work will be a PITA. I heard removing the cluster is a timley project and dont want to rip it apart if i dont have to. Thats why i want to see if i can just power it up out of the car

 

removing the cluster the first time took me 15-20 minutes.

that included finding the screws, trying to figure out how to remove the hood(just yank it back) and unpluging the 7-8 plugs.

btw be carefull unpluging things. i ripped the paper circuit board on mine and had to solder a jumper on it. No that was a PITA becuase you cant solder that crap without it melting.

 

In a post i read to take the gauges out the guy said you had to remove the steering wheel and all panels all the way down to the consol. He made it sound like it was a hard thing to do and time consumming. do you have a quicker way?

 

no need to pull the steering column. just take all the screws out, pull the cluster straight back(its hard), unplug the harness, now just slide the cluster out around the steering wheel toward the passengaer side. it will a take a little thought to figure which what to tilt and rotate the cluster to get it to fit out. just be carefull, gentle and take your time.