Gauge /speedometer swap. Just confirming after reading all the posts

[Debo954]

I have 1999 LE 4 door automatic with a cluster which has a tach.
The Speedometer part of it does not work ( I was told by the mechanic that I can probably just get a new speedometer part)

1. From my understanding I can just get another 1998-2002 cluster with or without tach from either a corolla or prism. Remove the speedometer part by removing the needle, removing the 4 screw behind the cluster. Then just swap the speedometer part into my original cluster. Is this accurate?
Problem: I am going to have different millage? (not really a problem because I don't plan on selling the car)
Problem: Does it matter if the other gauge is manual or automatic?
Problem: Does it matter if it has security feature or not?
How do I know if it has the security feature? I have an alarm but nothing lights up on the cluster?

thanks for your insight

[Clayton1984]

Originally Posted by Debo954

I have 1999 LE 4 door automatic with a cluster which has a tach.
The Speedometer part of it does not work ( I was told by the mechanic that I can probably just get a new speedometer part)

1. From my understanding I can just get another 1998-2002 cluster with or without tach from either a corolla or prism. Remove the speedometer part by removing the needle, removing the 4 screw behind the cluster. Then just swap the speedometer part into my original cluster. Is this accurate?
Problem: I am going to have different millage? (not really a problem because I don't plan on selling the car)
Problem: Does it matter if the other gauge is manual or automatic?
Problem: Does it matter if it has security feature or not?
How do I know if it has the security feature? I have an alarm but nothing lights up on the cluster?

thanks for your insight

1. Yes
2. Your mileage will change if you swap speedometers.
3. Does not matter.
4. Does not matter.
5. NA

You should take out your cluster first just to make sure it isn't a loose/dirty connection.

You can get another cluster on ebay or by going to a local junk yard (probably cheaper).

[Debo954]

any idea on how to get the needle off?

[Press22]

Just pull them off carefully.

[Debo954]

sounds good. I think I will use the fork technique.

Also does the Le model come with outside temp feature?

[Press22]

I believe it does. I have an LE and mine does and I doubt the grandma owner before me put it in. :P

[Debo954]

Look like I dont even need to remove the needles.
Can anyone tell me if a 2001 will connect right up into a 1998 le?

I read somewhere that the 2001 and up was different. Cant find the post right now

[Clayton1984]

Originally Posted by Debo954

Look like I dont even need to remove the needles.
Can anyone tell me if a 2001 will connect right up into a 1998 le?

I read somewhere that the 2001 and up was different. Cant find the post right now

If you are a replacing the whole cluster then yes the 01 & 02 are different and will not work properly.

If you are just removing the speedometer then pulling it from an 01 would be fine.

[Debo954]

Originally Posted by Clayton1984

If you are a replacing the whole cluster then yes the 01 & 02 are different and will not work properly.

If you are just removing the speedometer then pulling it from an 01 would be fine.

Thank for the quick reply.
Just to confirm.

If the "speedometer" component is bad in my 1999 LE "cluster" (the whole unit) I can remove the "speedometer" part from the 01 and transplant it into my 1999 le cluster.

Side note; the 2001 cluster had different connections in the back?
thanks again

[Clayton1984]

Originally Posted by Debo954

Thank for the quick reply.
Just to confirm.

If the "speedometer" component is bad in my 1999 LE "cluster" (the whole unit) I can remove the "speedometer" part from the 01 and transplant it into my 1999 le cluster.

Correct.

Originally Posted by Debo954

Side note; the 2001 cluster had different connections in the back?
thanks again

The connectors are the same, but the 01-02 cluster is wired differently.
If you were to put a 01-02 cluster in an 98-00 Corolla the primary functions would work (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, etc), however (from what I remember when I tried) your left blinker light will not work and your defrost button will instead turn solid on the left blinker light (I'm not sure if other critical warning lights would still work: ie oil, check engine, airbag, etc).