3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Possible to change the faceplate or the mph gauge??
hey guys,
so I was painting my needles red and yaaaa.....messed up a bit, anyhow is it possible to change the faceplate of the mph guage? I don't want to get another guage from the junk yard and stuff cuz the miles will be different, thanks
It can be done, but you have to be very careful on how you do it. It requires you pulling off the needle, which is not that hard. The problem is putting it back on the spindle in exactly the same spot. To do this, you need to remove the clear cover of the cluster and expose everything. Then connect it up again in the car, and lift the needle past the stop at 0 MPH, and turn the ignition to on. The needle will drop down and hit the trip counter reset with the car off which is why you need it on. Make a note of exactly where the needle sits, this is critical. The faceplate comes off with 2 screws IIRC (it has to be removed from the cluster, 4 screws on the back).
After you swap the faceplate, put it back into the cluster and again connect it to the car and turn the key to the ON position, then place the needle in exactly the same position that you noted before, turn the car off,then lift the needle back over the zero stop where it belongs. BTW, I remove the needle by taping a flat bladed screwdriver, and also putting tape on the face of the speedo, although you probably don't care because it sounds like you have paint on it. But either way, just pry it off very carefully.
It is not easy to put the needle back in exactly the same place, personally I opt to change the odo reading myself, I did it when I switched from a primarily MPH to KM/H speedo on my 93.
Last edited by 71Corolla; 05-04-2010 at 01:52 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to 71Corolla For This Useful Post:
It can be done, but you have to be very careful on how you do it. It requires you pulling off the needle, which is not that hard. The problem is putting it back on the spindle in exactly the same spot. To do this, you need to remove the clear cover of the cluster and expose everything. Then connect it up again in the car, and lift the needle past the stop at 0 MPH, and turn the ignition to on. The needle will drop down and hit the trip counter reset with the car off which is why you need it on. Make a note of exactly where the needle sits, this is critical. The faceplate comes off with 2 screws IIRC (it has to be removed from the cluster, 4 screws on the back).
After you swap the faceplate, put it back into the cluster and again connect it to the car and turn the key to the ON position, then place the needle in exactly the same position that you noted before, turn the car off,then lift the needle back over the zero stop where it belongs. BTW, I remove the needle by taping a flat bladed screwdriver, and also putting tape on the face of the speedo, although you probably don't care because it sounds like you have paint on it. But either way, just pry it off very carefully.
It is not easy to put the needle back in exactly the same place, personally I opt to change the odo reading myself, I did it when I switched from a primarily MPH to KM/H speedo on my 93.
thanks for the info , but change the odo o_O never thought of that one, how do you do that? that way I can just swap the guage!
'07 Honda Ruckus Big Bore TOTALED: '03 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 5.4L, '96 Camry LE 5S May '10: '11 Sienna V6 XLE FWD 8-pass. July '10: '06 Matrix XR Auto FWD Oct. '09: '05 RAV-4 L 4WD
The Following User Says Thank You to LynchburgCSI For This Useful Post:
Changing the odo involves prying the odometer plastic "syncro gears" out of it's mounts (which is accompanied by a finger spring) then rotating the odo digits to where you want, then snapping in the tiny shaft/gears back. It takes quite a lot of patience honestly because the numbers love to move on you, and the plastic gears don't like to line up properly. It's also easy to break the mount where the metal shaft snaps into. I ruined one unit experimenting TBH before I got it right.
I bought 3 units at the wreckers they were only $10/each I pulled all of them at the yard at the time.
edit - a video even better!
...okay after watching that video, the guy just rips the speedo needle off without worrying about calibration. That cluster may be different, but the problem I ran into was if you don't put the needle back in exactly the same spot, you are not sure if the unit reads the correct speed. I'm sure I got it close, but I don't want close I want it to be as exact as possible, so I changed the odo reading instead that way I never had to remove the needle. Also, one unit I got that had something like 390,000 kilometers made a ticking sound the electric motor was faulty I think, so try and find one with as low a count as you can, they can wear out.
Last edited by 71Corolla; 05-04-2010 at 02:12 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to 71Corolla For This Useful Post:
^ The guy (TN member 84Hachi) says TAKE PICTURES, write it down, etc. in reference to the speedo needle.
__________________
'07 Honda Ruckus Big Bore TOTALED: '03 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 5.4L, '96 Camry LE 5S May '10: '11 Sienna V6 XLE FWD 8-pass. July '10: '06 Matrix XR Auto FWD Oct. '09: '05 RAV-4 L 4WD
It can be done, but you have to be very careful on how you do it. It requires you pulling off the needle, which is not that hard. The problem is putting it back on the spindle in exactly the same spot. To do this, you need to remove the clear cover of the cluster and expose everything. Then connect it up again in the car, and lift the needle past the stop at 0 MPH, and turn the ignition to on. The needle will drop down and hit the trip counter reset with the car off which is why you need it on. Make a note of exactly where the needle sits, this is critical. The faceplate comes off with 2 screws IIRC (it has to be removed from the cluster, 4 screws on the back).
After you swap the faceplate, put it back into the cluster and again connect it to the car and turn the key to the ON position, then place the needle in exactly the same position that you noted before, turn the car off,then lift the needle back over the zero stop where it belongs. BTW, I remove the needle by taping a flat bladed screwdriver, and also putting tape on the face of the speedo, although you probably don't care because it sounds like you have paint on it. But either way, just pry it off very carefully.
It is not easy to put the needle back in exactly the same place, personally I opt to change the odo reading myself, I did it when I switched from a primarily MPH to KM/H speedo on my 93.
Hey got my hands on a spedometer and a tacimeter, but I can't even get the needle off from the tacki, how do u get it off?!!!
never mind, i just needed to put more strenght, but my new question is, can I just put in a km/h guage (I had a mph guage), like is it just as simple as switching the guages or does it have something to do with car computer that would do the reading in km or miles
...but my new question is, can I just put in a km/h guage (I had a mph guage), like is it just as simple as switching the guages or does it have something to do with car computer that would do the reading in km or miles
I put in a km/h gauge in my U.S. made Camry it works fine, so yes you can. The only difference is the speedo head itself.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
, anyhow is it possible to change the faceplate of the mph guage? I don't want to get another guage from the junk yard and stuff cuz the miles will be different, thanks
, but change the odo o_O never thought of that one, how do you do that? that way I can just swap the guage!
Piece of Crap
Linear Mode
