Changing a speedo in a VN tacho cluster

[savage1987]

Just did this yesterday in my Lexcen series 1, so I thought I'd write this up.
However, it was yesterday, so feel free to correct any small details which I may have missed out.

Here we go:

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.

2. Remove the two recessed screws (philips head) retaining the cluster surround (they're above the cluster window)

3. Slide the instrument cluster surround towards the steering wheel.

4. Disconnect wiring connectors. This can be tricky but it is possible without taking off the steering wheel. Just find someone like me who has smallish fingers.

5. Remove the cluster surround from the dashboard. I managed to do this with the steering wheel still in place.

6. Undo the two large philips screws - one on the far left and one on the far right. These hold the cluster itself in place. They secure white plastic brackets and are black screws - if you can't find these you have issues.

7. Holding cluster by the sides, slide it towards the steering wheel and remove it from dash. There is no wiring connected to the cluster itself, so you don't have to worry about that. Again, I managed to do this with the steering wheel still bolted up. It was a close call but I managed to manoeuvre it out the left side.

8. Four small black flathead screws along a ridge of the white plastic cover are next for removal. These, along with two white plastic clips, hold the cluster window in place, and we need that off.

9. Remove cluster window (release two white plastic clips on top of the cluster assembly).

NOW THAT THE CLUSTER WINDOW IS OFF, PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF GAUGE NEEDLES!! DO NOT KNOCK THE TACHO OR SPEEDO NEEDLES BELOW ZERO AS THE UNIT MUST BE REMOVED TO FIX IT!!

10. Remove the SET button (black plastic thing with SET written on the front in white)

11. Unplug the wiring connector from the back of the speedometer unit. (more or less central at the back of the unit - it's black and obvious).

12. Remove four small black flathead screws from the rear of the speedo. They are in a square configuration.

13. Working at the front of the cluster, you will see the three separate sections: the speedo/odometer unit being the centre one. Two rubber slides cover the gaps between the speedo and the instruments (one on either side). Remove these by sliding them upwards. The speedo should now be free to come out of the cluster.

14. Supporting the face of the speedo unit, turn the cluster so the instruments face down. Press on the socket that you unplugged earlier (on the back of the speedo) to release the speedo unit from the cluster.

15. Installing your new speedo - just retrace your steps. Ensure that the SET button is the right way up.

16. When everything is back together, reset your IAC (idle air control) by holding 3000 rpm for ten seconds in (park / neutral). This ensures, among other things, that your car will idle properly. Some people just let the engine idle for a few minutes, but this is how the manual says to do it and it works for me.


Hope this helps. Any problems let me know and I'll sort it out.

Cheers
Sam

[90VN55]

nice how-to

[georgeonboost]

i replaced my speedo and i knocked the needles (hadnt read this tute yet) and now my speedo is like 10kph out...how can i fix this?

-George

[cj_chandler]

hey guys, need some help, hav 1992 vp lexcen v6. trying to get road worthy, last thing holding me up was my odometer. done a little research and found the the gear in the cluster drops teath. i cracked open my dash and replaced gear but now speedo wont work either. had a mechanic tell me to change the speed sensor on the side of the transmition, but to prove no solution. been out of transport for a month now, any help greatly appreciated.

thanks
cj

[savage1987]

Hmm. I'd start by replacing the entire speedo just in case something else in there has gone wrong... reconditioned ones can be found for about $120 or so. If that doesn't fix it you can try other things.
Sam