trip odometer stops spinning

[kevinwatson]

The trip odometer on my 1996 corolla does not work suddenly now. The upper odometer still runs without any issue. Can you please tell me what could be the cause and how to fix it?
Thanks, -Kevin

[speedy25]

Replace the trip meter. I havent disassembled one of these, so the OD and trip may be the same or may be integral with the speedo.

-SP

[cipher93]

It's been awhile since I had a cluster apart on one of these, but I think the Odo/Trip are separate from the speedometer assembly. I am fairly certain the odometer and trip meter are connected however.

[kevinwatson]

Thank you both. Can you please tell me how much job it is approximately to check the cluster? I do not much experience on such a job but like to do it, partly for accumulating my knowledge/experience and partly for saving money. What are the rough steps just to get cluster out? I will send the car to a garage if it is a quite involving job.
Thanks, -Kevin

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Originally Posted by kevinwatson

Thank you both. Can you please tell me how much job it is approximately to check the cluster? I do not much experience on such a job but like to do it, partly for accumulating my knowledge/experience and partly for saving money. What are the rough steps just to get cluster out? I will send the car to a garage if it is a quite involving job.
Thanks, -Kevin

Removing the instrument cluster is easy . You just have to remove the two screws at the top of the black plastic surround and then pull each side of the bottom of the surround to disengage the clips. Manoeuvre the surround out and away from where you're working (this can take a bit of time unless you've got an adjustable steering column) and then you'll see four screws, one on each bottom corner and two up the top.

Remove the four screws and then you'll be able to get the instrument cluster out. The difficult part is unplugging the wiring connectors on the back. Each connector will have a release tab up the top which disengages the connector from the back of the cluster, so just feel around until you find them. There should be three in total. Installation is the reverse of removal

[kevinwatson]

Thank you, Kiwi-Corolla. Will do it on weekend if weather permits.

[trife96]

Actually, if you want to swap just the odometer, you can. But you have to take a few more steps. After removing the cluster, you will notice some plastic tabs that snap two halves of the cluster together. Also there are some tabs for the clear lens. Depending on which cluster you have, there are a couple screws behind the speedo guage you have to take out to remove the odo. Betweeen the other two halves on the back of the odo/trip meter, you will see only 3 or 4 screws that hold it in. You can also roll the numbers back ; )

edit...be carefull those tabs can be brittle

[kevinwatson]

Originally Posted by Kiwi-Corolla

Removing the instrument cluster is easy . You just have to remove the two screws at the top of the black plastic surround and then pull each side of the bottom of the surround to disengage the clips. Manoeuvre the surround out and away from where you're working (this can take a bit of time unless you've got an adjustable steering column) and then you'll see four screws, one on each bottom corner and two up the top.

Remove the four screws and then you'll be able to get the instrument cluster out. The difficult part is unplugging the wiring connectors on the back. Each connector will have a release tab up the top which disengages the connector from the back of the cluster, so just feel around until you find them. There should be three in total. Installation is the reverse of removal

Can you please tell how to find out if my steering column is adjustable or not? I looked around and did not see anything that can be used to adjust it. You are right; there is too little room to get the cluster out if it is doable. Which side(left or right) shall I try if mine is not adjustable?

Thanks, -Kevin

[kevinwatson]

Originally Posted by kevinwatson

Can you please tell how to find out if my steering column is adjustable or not? I looked around and did not see anything that can be used to adjust it. You are right; there is too little room to get the cluster out if it is doable. Which side(left or right) shall I try if mine is not adjustable?

Never mind. I have managed to get the cluster out.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Hey Kevin, good to hear that you managed to get the cluster out. However, to answer your question, if your Corolla has a height adjustable steering column there will be a black handle underneath the steering wheel (there will be a hole cut in the lower steering column plastic surround).