bc3tech
April 19th, 2011, 7:47pm
Original author: Vyperpunk @ redlineforums.com
Hopefully this hasn't been posted yet. I am using an extra cluster that I took from the junkyard out of an Ion sedan, but it all works the same way. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU WRECK YOUR SHIT. But ok, so basically what you need for this job is:
-basic soldering knowledge (even if you have a rough idea how soldering works, that's still good enough)
-soldering iron (the finest tip you can get will make this installation easier) -flathead screw driver (preferably a precision screwdriver set)
-7mm socket
- kitchen fork
- heat gun/hair drier
- razor
- (3) PLCC2 LEDs of your color preference.
Well to start off, remove the center bezel. If you don't know how to do that, you probably shouldn't be attempting this. After the bezel is off, look up towards the cluster cover, and there will be a 7mm screw. Take that out and the cover for the cluster can be pulled right off. Next, undo the 3 7mm screws around the cluster. Once that is done, DO NOT yank out the cluster, there is a clip in the back still holding it. Just push in the tab and swing the clip over.
Now that you have your cluster out, you will notice 5 tabs holding the circuit board into the cluster housing:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0271.jpg
Use your flathead to pry those tabs loose. Once it is off, you will have this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0272.jpg
Here is where you need to be easy on this because the motors are very sensitive and break easily. Take your fork, and slide it under the needles. Once it is under, gently pry it off:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0273.jpg
Now that the needles are off, slowly peel off the gauge facing. Here is where the heat gun comes in. THIS CAN SCREW UP THE FACING IF YOU DONT DO IT RIGHT. YOU COULD END UP WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM THE ADHESIVE:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0274.jpg
Use the heat gun on low heat to melt the adhesive before you do this. This should at least prevent the adhesive from peeling away at the clusters paint like that. Once you feel the adhesive is warm enough, SLOWLY peel away the gauge facing (you may want to use the heat gun as you peel). If you did it right, then your gauge facing should look perfect:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0275.jpg
Now that the facing is off we have to remove the bracket for the odometer screen. Take you flathead screwdriver and pop out the tabs on both sides:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0276.jpg
Tilt it so that the screen drops out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0278.jpg
At this point, you want to be very careful as to not rip the screen off of the circuit board. Now you will notice 6 more tabs holding the circuit board to the housing There are also 3 little pieces of plastic meted over the circuit board to prevent you from removing it from the housing. You can just cut those off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0279-1.jpg
Now that that you removed the board, expect to see a little grey rubber square to all from the housing. That little piece is for the button that resets your odometer. If it didn't fall out, it may still be under the button. Don't loose this piece:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0280.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0283.jpg
Now you will see LEDs that illuminate the odometer. There are 3 of them:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0282.jpg
Take note: If you look at the LEDs, there is a little arrow on the bottom left corner of the LED. This marks the polarity. Desolder and resolder the LEDs one at a time . When you solder your new LEDs on, make sure that this arrow is in the same spot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/led_plcc2.jpg
Now that your LEDs are in, reassemble. Be careful with the odometer screen and make sure that little grey rubber piece is back in place. When putting the needles back on, your best bet is put alittle bit of WD40 or vaseline on the back of the needle into the hole where it connects to the motor on the circuit board. This way, if you put them on, and the needles are off a bit, they will come off much easier and it's less of a chance of you breaking the motor. Plug it into your car and start it just so you can make sure all the needles are properly positioned (this may take a few tries to get it perfect). One the needles are properly positioned, you're done. Enjoy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0285.jpg
More... (http://www.redlineforums.com/forums/howto-section/48311-changing-odometer-leds.html)
Hopefully this hasn't been posted yet. I am using an extra cluster that I took from the junkyard out of an Ion sedan, but it all works the same way. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU WRECK YOUR SHIT. But ok, so basically what you need for this job is:
-basic soldering knowledge (even if you have a rough idea how soldering works, that's still good enough)
-soldering iron (the finest tip you can get will make this installation easier) -flathead screw driver (preferably a precision screwdriver set)
-7mm socket
- kitchen fork
- heat gun/hair drier
- razor
- (3) PLCC2 LEDs of your color preference.
Well to start off, remove the center bezel. If you don't know how to do that, you probably shouldn't be attempting this. After the bezel is off, look up towards the cluster cover, and there will be a 7mm screw. Take that out and the cover for the cluster can be pulled right off. Next, undo the 3 7mm screws around the cluster. Once that is done, DO NOT yank out the cluster, there is a clip in the back still holding it. Just push in the tab and swing the clip over.
Now that you have your cluster out, you will notice 5 tabs holding the circuit board into the cluster housing:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0271.jpg
Use your flathead to pry those tabs loose. Once it is off, you will have this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0272.jpg
Here is where you need to be easy on this because the motors are very sensitive and break easily. Take your fork, and slide it under the needles. Once it is under, gently pry it off:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0273.jpg
Now that the needles are off, slowly peel off the gauge facing. Here is where the heat gun comes in. THIS CAN SCREW UP THE FACING IF YOU DONT DO IT RIGHT. YOU COULD END UP WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM THE ADHESIVE:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0274.jpg
Use the heat gun on low heat to melt the adhesive before you do this. This should at least prevent the adhesive from peeling away at the clusters paint like that. Once you feel the adhesive is warm enough, SLOWLY peel away the gauge facing (you may want to use the heat gun as you peel). If you did it right, then your gauge facing should look perfect:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0275.jpg
Now that the facing is off we have to remove the bracket for the odometer screen. Take you flathead screwdriver and pop out the tabs on both sides:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0276.jpg
Tilt it so that the screen drops out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0278.jpg
At this point, you want to be very careful as to not rip the screen off of the circuit board. Now you will notice 6 more tabs holding the circuit board to the housing There are also 3 little pieces of plastic meted over the circuit board to prevent you from removing it from the housing. You can just cut those off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0279-1.jpg
Now that that you removed the board, expect to see a little grey rubber square to all from the housing. That little piece is for the button that resets your odometer. If it didn't fall out, it may still be under the button. Don't loose this piece:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0280.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0283.jpg
Now you will see LEDs that illuminate the odometer. There are 3 of them:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0282.jpg
Take note: If you look at the LEDs, there is a little arrow on the bottom left corner of the LED. This marks the polarity. Desolder and resolder the LEDs one at a time . When you solder your new LEDs on, make sure that this arrow is in the same spot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/led_plcc2.jpg
Now that your LEDs are in, reassemble. Be careful with the odometer screen and make sure that little grey rubber piece is back in place. When putting the needles back on, your best bet is put alittle bit of WD40 or vaseline on the back of the needle into the hole where it connects to the motor on the circuit board. This way, if you put them on, and the needles are off a bit, they will come off much easier and it's less of a chance of you breaking the motor. Plug it into your car and start it just so you can make sure all the needles are properly positioned (this may take a few tries to get it perfect). One the needles are properly positioned, you're done. Enjoy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/SuperAndroid17/Photo0285.jpg
More... (http://www.redlineforums.com/forums/howto-section/48311-changing-odometer-leds.html)