Odometer Change

[sperold]

Strong chance I will have to change my gauge cluster in my 90 SHO.

If I want my odometer reading to stay the same, is it easier to swap out the odometer or change the reading in the replacement cluster?
Is there anything to be careful about if I change the reading, as I would like it to work when I am done. Can it be taken apart and reassembled or is there an easier way to move the numbers?

If it is insanely difficult to alter the reading in the replacement cluster, it will not be a burden to just leave it alone; it is just a way of keeping things tidy and accurate.

 

[Irish Pride]

If you are pretty good with tools it is pretty simple to swap the odometer from one cluster to another. It is more difficult to adjust an odometer but it is still doable. To swap the odometer you will need to remove the speedometer from the cluster. The odometer comes out the front of the speedo and that requires removal from the cluster. In order to remove the odometer you will have to remove the speedometer needle. What I have found to work best for removing the needle is using two forks from opposite sides and using the prongs to pry it up. Once you've got the speedo off it's just 3 small bolts to remove to get the odometer out. Be very careful tightening the bolts back because the old plastic will split very easily. The hardest part about the whole process will be resetting the speedometer needle. You will need to have GPS and a steady hand to place the needle on while going down the road. Having working cruise control helps. Lightly press the needle in place at first to make sure it's reading accurate. Once you have it set correct then press it all the way back down.

FYI, you don't need to pull the cluster out of the dash to do all of this. Just remove the front panel to the cluster and then disconnect the speedo cable from the vss. This will allow you to remove the speedo from the cluster far enough to disconnect the cable from the back of it. Do what you need to do with the odometer and then reinstall the opposite way. Just leave the clear cover off until you have the speedo recalibrated.

-Chad

 

[sperold]

Thanks Chad.

At first glance I thought that black panel surrounding the gauges and those trouble lights at the bottom was one large piece with the speedo numbers printed on it. It sounds like the gauges and speedo are separate from that black cover.

I never paid much attention to the gauge cluster, but it is a busy little item especially with that printed circuit board in the bottom right corner. Would there be any schematics that describe what is happening? I have the EVTM, but this is not covered.

Thanks for the tip on the black background panel.