Patrick_Z1

I have a 1998 blazer 4X4 that the speedometer needle stopped working but every thing else in the cluster works fine. I can live with the problem but I was curious on how hard it is to change this needle assembaly and if I changed the entire unit would it throw off the odometer or does the computer or something just display the proper milage # since it is digital on this truck unlike that mechanical speedometer needle that just wobbles at the bottom. I checked all the fuses and even disconnected the battery and reconnected it to see if that would reset that needle to work again but it didn't.

ricksza

According to GM, the speedometer is not serviced seperately (that may just mean that they don't sell the parts through the dealer). Odometer milage is kept on a chip in the cluster. You might want to check with a local speedometer repair shop. Around my area, replacement clusters can be had for about $150 with proper milage set on it.

Fireplug

Before you waste any money go to a GM Dealer and have them check it first. It might be the sending unit that is bad.

ricksza

If the sending unit was bad, the odometer won't work either.

blazing

umm! i think if the sending unit was bad it would just stop the gas gage
from working. sounds like it might be a cable or something like that.

ricksza

There are individual senders for the fuel gage and speedometer/odometer. There is no speedo cable.

blazing

that shows ya how out of date i am

Patrick_Z1

how much time does it take to remove this cluster and is there anything to watch out for when removing it? and that milage chip that was talked about could I just place my chip into the new cluster? because unless I found a unit that was close in milage it would mess things up with vehicle inspection because in my state they record the milage when vehicle is inspected, the dealer wants $120 to diagnose the problem and a junk yard cluster is only $55 I asked a local repair shop what they thought and they guessed it was what ever was inside of this cluster that moves the needle because not only does the needle not work but it is a bit off center like as if something inside was broke.

ricksza

No big deal to pull the cluster, but the chip is not transferable. Did you check for a speedometer shop? They might be able to fix your's or reset the yard's odometer.

blazee

The cluster is easy to pull, but watch out for the emergency/hazard light switch on top the steering column. I hear it is a $400 repair.

rlith

about 200 for the whole unit, but if the hazard breaks off, you only have to replace the switch, ($15.00) there is a how-to here...

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/showth...=hazard+switch

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95 s10 Blazer, EGR Mod, ZQ8 Steering box mod, 99 Center console shifter mod and more... See everything at www.pghconsulting.net/teal

ricksza

Do your self a favor, you can lower the steering column quickly and safely without disconnecting any wiring. Then you will have all the room you could want.

BlazerLT

Vehicel speed sensor is the cause of the problem if the speedometer is not working.

Sometimes, the wire is burned through and short because of the exhaust.

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1995 Factory Blazer Service Manual for sale, PM if interested.

ricksza

Is the speedometer the only thing inop or the odometer also

Patrick_Z1

Just the speedometer stopped working, the odometer still works and all the other gauges work as well