1998 Lumina Speedometer cluster

[Dodge1063]

Hello everyone, I have a question regarding the speedometer. I have the cluster that has just the temp and no tachometer. I was wanting to know how easy is it to replace it with one that had a tachometer. I did buy one to repalce it but however i got the wrong kind due to i have the steering column shifter and the one i bought is the kind for the floor shifter. Also along with that i did read on another forum that someone had took out the original mileage part out of the odometer and replaced it with the tachometer being put in. I would like to do that just to simplify the need in having to deduct the mileage of the new tach speedometer with the cars original mileage. Im not about to falsify the mileage i just want a tach.

Any Thoughts on this?


Thanks in advance
Rob

[cadgear]

The cluster is a straight swap, just pull off the dash and swap it out. Nothing extra like in the old days.

As far as the odometer goes, it too is a straight replacement. Just pull apart the cluster, unbolt the speedometer/odometer module, and put it in the new cluster. Just be sure you don't drive without an operating odometer, don't want to have to check that dreaded "odo is wrong" box.

I can get some photos later this week if it'd help, but here's a rundown:

Taking off the dash:
Remove two phillips head screws under the column, and the two retaining screws holding on the bottom sound dampener.
Put vehicle into low gear, tilt wheel down all the way.
Pull dash trim off.
Remove four bolts for cluster, unplug unit.
Reassemble.

To change the odo:
Remove the cluster's faceplate and the circuit board
Unbolt the odo/speedo module
Replace, then calibrate (since you have to pull the needle off) under law enforcement supervision (my brother is a cop, helps a lot)

Done

[Dodge1063]

Hey Thanks for the reply Cadgear. I will definately look into replace it then. I had no idea it was that simple. When i do get the correct speedo cluster i will go ahead and do what you suggest. I look forward to it because that big Temp guage on the right just makes it look too generic. Id like to see that tach actually at work.

[Dodge1063]

Hey i just want to give an update about replacing my speedometer. I have to say it really was a plug and play drop. What i did was i wanted to keep my mileage on my car. I took apart the speedometer with the tack and switch the odometer with the orignal speedometer. I have to admit that taking note of the position where the speed needle is. I made sure that when i took it off it was in the close exact position when i did the odometer swap. To make a long story short the swap went great and now i got a tach with my own mileage. I have to say though despite how careful i was I still notice that while idling its looks like the speed needle is right on the 5mph mark. I will just have to watch how fast im going.


Hope this helps anyone,

Oh and let me say that for the luminas that dont have ABS and you get a cluster that has the bulb for that dummy light it will stay on if you dont have ABS on your car. I had to pull the extra bulb out and all is good.

Rob

[Cubsfan24]

I replaced my cluster two weeks ago and followed those steps listed by cadgear. I had just replaced my stock radio so I knew what I was getting into when I had to take the dash trim off. Switching the ODO and the entire cluster was very easy. The second hardest part was trying to figure out what to do with the shifter cable. I thought about taking the old one off completely then I figured out I could just unbolt it and exchange them. I fired up the car and saw the RPM's for the first time. Oh the hardest part of the thing was getting the dang trim piece around that little cubby hole and not be in front of the tilt-wheel lever. In the end, I think it was a great $15 spent for the cluster on ebay.

I do have one question about my new cluster. On my old cluster when I had the car in accessory mode so I could listen to the radio, the oil, volt, and CES light would stay on. Now since I changed the sensor, only the oil and volt light stay on. I don't know if the CES light is burnt out or if all clusters don't show this light on when in accessory mode. (The car the cluster came out of had 160k on it)

[Dodge1063]

Thats awsome it worked out for you about the speedo swap. I have to say i really like having a tach in mine. It makes my granny car actualy have more speed in a way. I just like seeing a "real" guage at worked rather than just seeing a temp guage showing me how hot it is.

I do want to say this though when i had installed the speedo with a tach for the first time. I can tell the security system in the car will freak out when anything new is added to it. It kinda startled me when I reconnected the battery because the horn blarred about 8 seconds and the parking lights flashed.

Anyway it was worth it.

[Dodge1063]

Ido have one question about my new cluster. On my old cluster when I had the car in accessory mode so I could listen to the radio, the oil, volt, and CES light would stay on. Now since I changed the sensor, only the oil and volt light stay on. I don't know if the CES light is burnt out or if all clusters don't show this light on when in accessory mode. (The car the cluster came out of had 160k on it)

The only Problem i had when I repalced mine i had the Anti-lock light stay on the speedo i replaced. I had to actually remove the bulb because the old one didnt even have a bulb in the socket. As for the accessory mode the lights stay on suchs as volt, oil and check engine. I hope this helps.

I would suggest disconnecting one of the tubes going to the Evap Solenoid behind the Coil pack if you have a 96 - 98 lumina to see if you could throw a check engine light. If not if you had a scanner at least it could tell you had a code and the light was burned out

Rob