Speedometer needles...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 6
From: Prince George VA
Speedometer needles...
For a little while now I have noticed that sometimes my needles on the rpm and the speedometer will shake when accellerating or slowing down. Sometimes it will get stuck at 10mph and when I hit 30 it will jump up to 30 real fast and when I hit 50 it will jump up from 30 to 50 real fast. Weird. I have had it sit at 10mph stopped with the car shut off as well. As far as the rpm goes I can be cruising at 55mph in 6th and the needle will jump up and down from 900-1300rpm.
Has anyone ever had this problem? It's nothing that hurts drivability but it can be annoying.
Has anyone ever had this problem? It's nothing that hurts drivability but it can be annoying.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 6
From: Prince George VA
I'm not sure. What would I check?
The car did have white face gauges installed when I got it. Not a really a big fan of them. So its possible the needles could be pushed down too far? Recently it has been doing it a lot on the speedometer. It got stuck at 40 today for a long time while I was cruising 45. 
Thank god for HUD.
Thank god for HUD.
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Please do post up what you find - hopefully it is just a simple repair.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,208
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From: Prince George VA
Will do. Not sure wen I will have free time to pull out the cluster. If its anything like one of my previous cars its not fun.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 7
From: St. Paul MN
I agree with UM Rebel - compare with the HUD output, or an OBD-II reader that can real-time sample speed & RPM to see if the computer really thinks that, or if the cluster is just rendering it wrong.
One of the cautions with cluster removal is to not leave the gauge cluster upside-down for any amount of time, as they are liquid filled. Perhaps that was not heeded. I have a gas gauge in my pickup truck that actually appears blurry because it vibrates and jumps a bit, but generally shows the right value. The consensus is the stepper motor that drives the needle needs to be replaced.
Todd
One of the cautions with cluster removal is to not leave the gauge cluster upside-down for any amount of time, as they are liquid filled. Perhaps that was not heeded. I have a gas gauge in my pickup truck that actually appears blurry because it vibrates and jumps a bit, but generally shows the right value. The consensus is the stepper motor that drives the needle needs to be replaced.
Todd
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If the needles are in fact dragging, be VERY careful pulling up on them. They are NOT just a light press-fit on their shafts like days of old!
In fact, I would recommend first ensuring the "white face" is laying flat properly and if it is, lay a thin piece of cardboard or plastic under the needle (to protect the guage face) and then insert a piece of sandpaper (grit side up of course) underneath the needle as well and very gently sand the underside of the needle, using gentle downward pressure on the needle to assist in the sanding. For any sanding, I would use 320 or 400 grit.
If the guage face is not laying flat properly you may be able to carefully raise it a bit using an X-acto knife and insert a small piece of thin double-sided tape underneath, or use a drop or two of gel-type super glue where needed. The gel type won't accidently run like the liquid will.
As I said before, do NOT attempt to pull the needle off or manually "raise" it. You WILL damage the guage if you pull the least bit too hard. Being patient and taking your time wins the race here.
HTH
Post back with what you find.
In fact, I would recommend first ensuring the "white face" is laying flat properly and if it is, lay a thin piece of cardboard or plastic under the needle (to protect the guage face) and then insert a piece of sandpaper (grit side up of course) underneath the needle as well and very gently sand the underside of the needle, using gentle downward pressure on the needle to assist in the sanding. For any sanding, I would use 320 or 400 grit.
If the guage face is not laying flat properly you may be able to carefully raise it a bit using an X-acto knife and insert a small piece of thin double-sided tape underneath, or use a drop or two of gel-type super glue where needed. The gel type won't accidently run like the liquid will.
As I said before, do NOT attempt to pull the needle off or manually "raise" it. You WILL damage the guage if you pull the least bit too hard. Being patient and taking your time wins the race here.
HTH
Post back with what you find.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 7
From: Greenville Texas
Gauge clusters aren't liquid filled. If there were a speed problem, it would throw a B0516 code on the cluster. I'm telling you, the needles are dragging on the overlay. Use a fork and gentle pry up if you don't have the tool for the needle removal. As long as you pull straight up on the needle, nothing will happen. You can pull really hard straight up and it will be fine. It is when you pry to one side that the motor shaft gets bent. Unless that is already the case......
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
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Gauge clusters aren't liquid filled. If there were a speed problem, it would throw a B0516 code on the cluster. I'm telling you, the needles are dragging on the overlay. Use a fork and gentle pry up if you don't have the tool for the needle removal. As long as you pull straight up on the needle, nothing will happen. You can pull really hard straight up and it will be fine. It is when you pry to one side that the motor shaft gets bent. Unless that is already the case......
If you pull too hard on the needle and pull the needle out, the shaft comes with it, and can't just be re-inserted. Gauge is toast.
BTDT.
