Cluster Swap 01 corolla questions

[Rambo500]

I am planing on getting a replacement instrument cluster guage w/tach for my 2001 corolla CE that doesn't have one(a tach that is). Now, I have read through this and a few other forums and have generally only found what ppl assume would work/fit for this and have only read a minimal amount of info on what ppl have actually done. This is what I have come to understand so far:

-any instrument gauge from a 98-02 model have the same physical dimensions
ie. a gauge from a 98 should fit in a 02

-The tach signal wire is already there with the other wires leading to the connection
terminals on the back of the instrument gauge (but it is not actually connected to
anything)

- The odometer will display whatever is stored in the memory located on the instrument
cluster itself so wherever the insturment cluster goes the km or mi will go with it.

If any one has 'actually' done this swap or is 100% sure, can you please let me know if these are all correct and if someone has done this for this gen of corolla's please provide any info of problems that came across. Also, I have read that you can replace the odometer display so it gives you your cars true milage. Any info on that would also be exteamly helpful. Thank You

[gbell210]

Did you find out anymore with this? I have a 2000 VE, and would like to install a tach. If its as easy as throwing in a Corolla gauge cluster with one in it, I'd like to keep it as stock looking as possible. I know most all toyotas have the full wiring harness, but you said the wire isn't connected to anything. Where would it be connected in stock form?

And is the chip that stores the Mileage removable? So the old one could be swapped to the new cluster?
Thanks

[JeffG]

I have not done it from what I have read, you swap the entire spedometer which has the odometer / lcd. You have to open up the front clear plastic cover to swap it out I think...

[lexusk8]

FYI, I did a recent write-up (link below) on how to remove the instrument gauge cluster in (my wife's) '98 Corolla. I had to replace a burnt out bulb in the cluster. Not sure if the cluster in the '01 is the same as the '98, but take a look

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t139119.html

[REN69]

I think the 98-02 are the same interior-wise, it's only the exterior that was updated in 01-02.

[gbell210]

Originally Posted by lexusk8

FYI, I did a recent write-up (link below) on how to remove the instrument gauge cluster in (my wife's) '98 Corolla. I had to replace a burnt out bulb in the cluster. Not sure if the cluster in the '01 is the same as the '98, but take a look

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t139119.html

Thanks, I did see that post. I have my eye on a '01 cluster from an S, I believe since the guages have red needles and numbers with a black background. Looks like physically it would fit and the back plugs do look like what you posted too.
But I was curious, from someone who actually has a tach cluster, is that unused plug hole (bottom right on back of the cluster) that has 3 contacts on it for the tach? And if so, can I just throwin a cluster with a tach in it and be done. (Plug and play)

Here is the cluster I am looking at:


Also, why does there appear to be 2 LCD's. One is the odometer in the speedo, but what is the one in the Tach for?

[DoubleEdgedWomb]

It's outside temperature in my car.

[OmarR]

I have done this mod. It was on my gf's 99 Corolla with no tach. Yes, any 98-02 will work. Jeff is right, if you want to keep the correct mileage, you have to break open your old cluster and swap out the speedometer itself. Just plug in the new cluster and everything will work fine. If you want the outside temp display to work, you will have to buy the sensor and plug it in at the front of the radiator.

[gbell210]

Thanks Omar, I actually already bought a '99 cluster on ebay for about $45. I did notice a little rectangular looking chip directly behind the speedo. Does anyone know what that is? It is removable. I'm hoping that is where the mileage is stored, so then I could just swap that. If anyone knows for sure, chime in. If not, I'll find out this weekend if that works.

[lexusk8]

Just by looking at the pic above and the pic from my DIY thread, I'm pretty sure that is the module where the odometer is stored.

[gbell210]

OK.. I did the cluster swap last weekend, and everything went well. It was plug N Play like Omar said, and I had to change out the speedometer to keep the mileage. I'm still not sure what the rectangular chip is. I swapped it, and even removed it and plugged the cluster in. It really didn't change anything, that I could see. Although when I removed it completely, I didn't actually drive anywhere to see if the speedometer worked.

I'm wondering if that is a speedo correction circuit, incase you install different size wheels and want your speedo/odometer to read correctly. Other than that idea, nothing else looked abnormal. Thanks for all the help!

[gbell210]

BTW.. I don't have a tilt steering wheel and I didn't have to remove any trim around the wheel.

[Dexterous]

See my DIY for more details:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/806193/4