View Full Version : swapping instrument cluster
Hey guys, I know i've asked this question before but didn't really get a clear answer.
Is it at all possible to swap out a regular quad4 instrument cluster without tachometer for one with one? I noticed the ones with tachometers have needles for all of their gauges (a total of 4), where mine only has three (one for gas, one for speed, one for temperature) will this matter at all if I use that gauge in my car? I am really hoping I CAN get that one, as it looks much more appealing to me, but if I can't use it theres really no sense for me to try.
Shad0wguy
08-26-2006, 08:30 AM
From what I recall, you can, but the oil pressure sensor will not function.
is there a way TO make it function? possibly by getting the correct sensor? Also, I know that mine uses a shift light, as opposed to an RPM gauge, so I will also have to find a sensor that will work for that.
Don't know if this really applies or not, but I was reading something.
http://www.noneckschevelle.com/techtips1.htm
Seems you have to do alot of rewiring to get it to work which doesn't really sound practicle imo. Seems it would use the exact same wiring harness (the plugs on the back of the clusters are the same, only the pcb looks different to accomodate for the gauges instead of lights)
Doesn't sound to me like it would be too hard to swap them out as long as I know WHAT sensors need to be replaced so that they read correctly for gauges instead of idiot lights, but that's just me. If somebody would be so kind as to assist me, it would be nice.
Big Joe
08-26-2006, 05:19 PM
Originally posted by Ex0r
is there a way TO make it function? possibly by getting the correct sensor? Also, I know that mine uses a shift light, as opposed to an RPM gauge, so I will also have to find a sensor that will work for that.
If you get a GT oil sending unit the gauge will work fine. Also, both clusters have shift lights. the only sensor that will need changing is for the oil, everything eles is plug and play
pokesmot
08-26-2006, 05:29 PM
Originally posted by Big Joe
If you get a GT oil sending unit the gauge will work fine. Also, both clusters have shift lights. the only sensor that will need changing is for the oil, everything eles is plug and play
you can pull one from any GT as far as I know, but the engine size must be the same. I believe its written in the lower right corner 4 or 6 for # of cylinders.
as joe already said you need to replace your oil pressure sending "switch" with a sending unit.
the sending unit should be a few inches longer than the switch currently installed. I got one at rockauto for around $20 IIRC.
now you guys are 100% sure that the two clusters are the same? If so, I will go ahead and get the one with tach, which I would prefer to have anyways. I wanted to make sure that all the gauges would work, as I was not sure of the gauges were the same compared to lights and needles.
So I have to get a oil pressure sending 'unit' to replace the switch? Would that be interchangeable with the one I currently have, or does i require new wiring, etc?
btw, i checked on rockauto and there doesn't appear to be a oil pressure sending unit for a manual transmission, only for automatic.
mc_88
08-27-2006, 11:56 AM
Lol, well you could always mount a tach next to the A pillar ;) Those are fairly easy to install. lol, prob not the look ur goin for tho :P
lol yeah im trying to stay as stock as possible. basically doing an se to gt conversion. btw, i was looking at my broken instrument cluster and it looks like the odometer assembly is screwedinto the back of the casing, so I may be able to do a swap on those two. If not, I know somebody who knows how to advance the odo so I can just get one with less miles.
Anyways, thanks alot for the help guys. I'll be making a trip up to the junkyard in the city above me tomorrow for the parts I need!
Big Joe
08-27-2006, 03:24 PM
the odometercomes out really easy, it shoudnt be hard to swap at all.
that's what I thought. It looks like it just comes out of the cluster if you take it apart, however I hope that doesn't require having to take off the face, cause that would require removing the needles :\ gonna see if I can find a way to get it out without removing it
pokesmot
08-27-2006, 06:26 PM
I have also tried,
the only way to get the odometer off is to remove the needles, which screws up the calibration of the speedo.
so just stick with the odometer that comes with the cluster.
im not going to have a 178k odo in a car that only has 151k miles.
Matt95GT
08-28-2006, 08:38 AM
Originally posted by Ex0r
btw, i checked on rockauto and there doesn't appear to be a oil pressure sending unit for a manual transmission, only for automatic.
That's cause all SOHC's have a non-tach cluster. Use the "Vin A" HO application to obtain the oil pressure sender.
Originally posted by Ex0r
If not, I know somebody who knows how to advance the odo so I can just get one with less miles.
It's not cable-driven... hope they have cluster schematics and can fabricate a stepper motor driver board. I wouldn't mess with the odometer.
pokesmot
08-28-2006, 09:01 AM
Originally posted by Ex0r
im not going to have a 178k odo in a car that only has 151k miles.
thats ok,
I had 257,000km in a car with only 187,000 km
so lemme get this straight big-joe. To use the tach on my quad 4, all I gotta do is get an oil pressure sensor that works for gauges? No other sensors or anything?
I found a junkyard 45 mins from me that has all the parts I need for about 1/2 the price of local junkyards, so i'll be going there sometime this week to pick it up.
One final question though. Did the sohc and dohc use the same rpm readings, or since mine is a sohc, will the dohc h.o. clusters rpm's be off? i remember matt saying that the sohc didnt come with a tach, so im just wondering if the two things are the same that the tach runs off of for a sohc and a dohc.
Once I get verification i am running to the junkyard to get the parts I need (the sensor is 25 at the local parts store)
Any of you happen to know where the oil pressure sensor is? Can't find it in the haynes manual.
Matt95GT
08-29-2006, 02:59 PM
Originally posted by Ex0r
so lemme get this straight big-joe. To use the tach on my quad 4, all I gotta do is get an oil pressure sensor that works for gauges? No other sensors or anything?
I found a junkyard 45 mins from me that has all the parts I need for about 1/2 the price of local junkyards, so i'll be going there sometime this week to pick it up.
One final question though. Did the sohc and dohc use the same rpm readings, or since mine is a sohc, will the dohc h.o. clusters rpm's be off? i remember matt saying that the sohc didnt come with a tach, so im just wondering if the two things are the same that the tach runs off of for a sohc and a dohc.
Once I get verification i am running to the junkyard to get the parts I need (the sensor is 25 at the local parts store)
Any of you happen to know where the oil pressure sensor is? Can't find it in the haynes manual.
Actually you don't "need" the oil pressure sensor right away... it is only needed to make the oil pressure gauge read correct. (with your current oil pressure switch the gauge will be pegged at either 0 or max pressure, just like the oil light in the std cluster) The tach and everything else will work fine either way.
The tach cluster marked "4 cyl" in the lower right corner will work on all flavors of 2.3... SOHC, DOHC or HO. The only cluster that will not work properly is the one marked "6 cyl" in the corner.
The oil press switch is in the cam tower, sticks out of the drivers side:
http://fazeshift.org/pics/albums/userpics/10001/123412P1L%20Engine%20harness%20figure%207.jpg
The caption was cut off when I scanned it, but IIRC it said "Vin 3 similar"... since you don't have 2 cam towers... it should be somewhere nearby. Also, it would be wise to drain your oil before removing the pressure switch... have a rag handy anyway... it'll still ooze out a bit.
i wonder if i get the sensor now and when i get my oil changed next if they will install it for me.. i just got my oil changed like 200 miles ago, would kind of be a waste to remove the oil now.
thanks alot for the info, matt. I will make sure i get the one for a 4 cylinder. Also, if it goes to max temp on the gauge, does that mean that it's ideal pressure, and if it's down at 0 that means it's at no pressure and should be checked?
Matt95GT
08-29-2006, 04:02 PM
Originally posted by Ex0r
i wonder if i get the sensor now and when i get my oil changed next if they will install it for me.. i just got my oil changed like 200 miles ago, would kind of be a waste to remove the oil now.
thanks alot for the info, matt. I will make sure i get the one for a 4 cylinder. Also, if it goes to max temp on the gauge, does that mean that it's ideal pressure, and if it's down at 0 that means it's at no pressure and should be checked?
Depends on who changes your oil. If it's a 'quick lube' kinda place... don't let em touch it... the senders break easily. I broke one when I bumped it with my arm.
Not sure if the switch you have in yours is normally open or normally closed. Either way, see where the oil gauge is when first turn the ignition to 'on'... it should do the opposite when you actually start the car.
pokesmot
08-29-2006, 04:10 PM
I think the switch is normally closed, because prior to replacing my pressure switch with a sending unit, the gauge was always maxed out.
there are also special sockets availible for removing and installing the sending units. If you dont have the right tool, I found a pair of channel locks works alright...
ALSO make sure the threads of the new unit are coated with some form of sealant. Normally the new sending units come with a sealant already on them, but if they dont you will need to find and apply some to the threads to prevent an oil leak
Well, thanks so much for the information guys. I managed to find one at the junkyard for a 94-95 (the one that's the same as the 92, except it has the overlay over the gauges and stuff) that works perfectly. All the lights are the same, they all match up and everything. Only problem is the bright light indicator and the right turn signal aren't working on the cluster. Just replaced the bulbs going to see if that helps. If not, not a big deal, the speedo and gas/temp work perfectly.
Thanks alot for the help again, guys! I really appreciate it!
97limitedbird
08-30-2006, 10:43 PM
And make sure you don't use too much sealant, as the sender needs to make metal-to-metal contact at the threads in order to have a good ground, and therefore a good reading on the gauge.
You don't need to drain the oil, the sender is far away from where the oil is (in the pan) when the engine is off. Some will pour out, just what little bit is in the sender unit and the passage to it.
yeah i didnt even have to get the sensor :) I found the cluster panel I need. Thanks alot for the help guys! Next project, interior modification!
Matt95GT
08-31-2006, 08:46 AM
Originally posted by 97limitedbird
You don't need to drain the oil, the sender is far away from where the oil is (in the pan) when the engine is off. Some will pour out, just what little bit is in the sender unit and the passage to it.
There's a check valve that holds oil in the top end... enough to be messy if you aren't quick changing it and lack a rag.
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