Gauge Cluster Mods

[NetGuy]

Hey, all

Looking for some info from the people that have "really" disassembled the gauge cluster.

- The gauges themselves...obviously since there's no speedo cable, there's some kind of little motor that moves the gauge needles. Is it the same size for the speedo and the tach?

- From the pictures I have seen...these little motors are connected to pins that come up from the circuit board...is this correct?

The reason I ask...If it's possible without #&$*'ing up too much stuff, I'd like to try and switch the tach and the speedo. I'm contacting SpeedHut about making the gauge faces accordingly (being that they are custom anyway, I don't think it will be a huge deal). The practical reasons for doing this are minor...I just think it might be "different".

Any thoughts?

 

[hi-perf]

well look at the sizes of the gauge faces

the motors are the same, but the needle size and face size are definately different.

i think the circuit board sends a signal to where each motor should go despite what motor it is (if you switched)

i doubt it will work but if you want to try it out go ahead.

 

[NetGuy]

The idea with speedhut was to make the gauges the right sizes...since they are custom anyway, probably wouldn't be a big deal.

As far as the motor connections...I think I'd just have to run wires over from where they WOULD go.

It's already starting to seem like too much of a pain in the a$$ to do...but it's a neat thought.

 

[hi-perf]

thats kinda difficult to do....

they are direct contacts, like when you slide the motor in, the bottom of the motor is the link to the PCB for the signal.

 

[sgryzko]

I think it is probably too much trouble to just have the tach and speedo switched. But if youre looking for a project to do for fun and to be different, go for it.

 

[NetGuy]

Actually, I think the main reason I would do something like that would be "just because I can". It's certainly a low priority, and I'm not going to touch my gauges unless I've got a spare set first...but I thought it might be neat.

 

[p5sundevil]

I have taken my gauges apart, and I mean FULLY apart, probably like 5 or 6 times now.

My reason is I was trying my damndest to get the original stock faces to light up blue even though the film has a slightly orange tint to it. I actually found out it is possible but I need a few more parts and some time to go through taking it apart again.

Anyway your right about the motors being the same size and the pins being the same for both tach and speedo, but this does not mean they are interchangable, the thing we all tend to forget about is even though there are wires going into the gauge cluster from the harness the actual cluster itself is just a circuit board. Meaning the routing of the signals to each motor is done through the board itself, exactly like a computer board where there are gold leads and then gold lines going from contact point to point.

So you would not be able to swap where their signals are going even if you swapped the gauges themselves. Sorry man, it was a good idea to have something unique but it wont work.

Im in the process of removing all the custom LEDs I put in and using light string to light my gauges. Once install they will be adhered to the back of the acrylic plates that are right behind the gauge faces themselves. This will solve the ornage film problem because the string will be directly behind the notches and numbers all the way arounf the circle.

Hopefully this will work and I can have stock gauges with blue lighting.

 

[NetGuy]

You didn't manage to get the needles off, did you? I've done lots of searches and everyone says it can't be done without breaking them. I just can't figure out why not...I've taken the needles off like 5 different cars with no problems. Did Mazda decide to glue ours on, or are people just that careless when pulling them off? I used to use a puller (like a steering wheel puller, but way smaller) and that seemed to work fine.

I just gotta get myself a set of gauges to play with so I don't have to risk my real ones. None of the auto wreckers here have any P5s...anyone have any other ideas where I might buy a cluster?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I just gotta get myself a set of gauges to play with so I don't have to risk my real ones. None of the auto wreckers here have any P5s...anyone have any other ideas where I might buy a cluster?

www.car-part.com

 

[p5sundevil]

No the needles are not removable, from what I saw on the inside the needles are physically attatched to the core of the motor that plugs into the board. meaning it is all one piece instead of the motor and needle neing truely 2 seperate pieces.

Only gauges I have heard of you could remove the needle was the older flat needle style, if you look at ours it is an acrylic rod that is oddly shaped and that makes it prone to breaking.

 

[NetGuy]

That, of course, begs the question...how the heck did they get them ON in the first place? Someone said the aftermarket faces can slide over top of the needles...but since the hole isn't that big, I don't see how that would be possible.

I hate it when stuff isn't easy. :mad:

 

[nonameheroes]

i got a set you can play with. hows 40 plus 10 shipping sound? its missing the water/fuel gauge but everything else is there

 

[NetGuy]

I'm in Canada, so the shippings probably a bit more, but consider it done. If you want to PM me with an address, I'll send you payment right away.

 

[spoonman]

I have a 99 protege LX and I'm wondering if its possible to remove the needles on this year. I believe it is.

 

[kasmankk]

i broke mine. the fuel and temp needle. Just got it repalce just now.
You have not tried on yours , right. Let me know if you are successful.
can you take a pic of your mini puller? I'd like to get it too.

 

[sam1]

you can remove the needles, but be careful or theyll break.
http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6208&highlight=needles

 

[NetGuy]

You think the needles are the same for a P5 as they were for an earlier DX? I was just thinking yesterday about this project again...It would still be cool.

 

[kasmankk]

I have removed speedo needle from similar (mazda familia BPT,same as you pic), many times without breaking it. No problem with P5 speedo or tach. try removing needles from familia or P5 fuel or temp gauge. After i broke p5 fuel and temp gauge, i went to the junk yard and bought 2 meter clusters (familia, same as you pic), GUESS WHAT all 4 needle broken! (2 fuel & 2 temp).

you can remove the needles, but be careful or theyll break.
http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6208&highlight=needles

 

[spoonman]

there is no need to remove the needles. On mine, I just slipped it around the needles being careful to put little pressure on the needles themselves.

 

[kasmankk]

r u using protege 2001 and above?
pls tell us exactly how you do it. are u using speedhut overlay ?
the center hole is quite small to monuver around the fuel/temp gauge. what's you secret??

there is no need to remove the needles. On mine, I just slipped it around the needles being careful to put little pressure on the needles themselves.