Tach slightly off..........fix question

[Fastbird]

So the tach in my car is about 200-250 RPM off from what the ECM is actually reading. Been this way forever in this car. I'm wondering if anyone has ever been datalogging to watch the correct RPM nad removed/reinstalled teh needle with the motor running in order to realign the needle.

Also.........wondering if this is doable on the Gas Gauge so you get a little better representation of where you're at. Right now Full on my gauge is pegged right, and I'd like to realign the needle to where full is on the F.........

Never pulled the needles before, so just curious if they pull straight off and go back on in whatever position you want.

[GreenZ96]

would like to know also, same issues with both gauges. Ive never tried to remove the needles either. *subscribing*

[5POINT7]

So the tach in my car is about 200-250 RPM off from what the ECM is actually reading. Been this way forever in this car. I'm wondering if anyone has ever been datalogging to watch the correct RPM nad removed/reinstalled teh needle with the motor running in order to realign the needle.

Also.........wondering if this is doable on the Gas Gauge so you get a little better representation of where you're at. Right now Full on my gauge is pegged right, and I'd like to realign the needle to where full is on the F.........

Never pulled the needles before, so just curious if they pull straight off and go back on in whatever position you want.I can't give you info on the tach, it seems like it would work to align the needle. It's a common problem with 4th gens. As for the needles take a fork, yes a fork for food lol. and put it under the black plastic and gently pull up.

[5POINT7]

Here is a write up for it.





Step 1. Get your car up to normal operating temperature and take a good picture of each of the gauges and the needle position (try not to use a camera phone). This will be important in replacing the needles so that they point in the correct locations so all your gauges are accurate to the stock specs.

Step 2. Remove your old needles. If you have a plastic needle remover, you can use it to remove the needles. If you don’t, (and most of us don’t) you can use a fork to pry the needles off. (Place the fork prongs under the cap and lift the caps off). They should come straight up and off the needle shafts.

Repeat the process for all 6 needles. Try not to pull them off by pulling on the needle tips, but by the caps.

Step 3. After the stock needles are off, you should place your gauge cluster back in your car and start it. Get your car up to normal operating temperature. After the car has run long enough that you think it’s warm, you can begin to place the new needles.

*As the needles are slipped onto the motor shafts, they will want to “lay” to one side or the other. To remedy this, you should play with the needles placement before finally pushing them on.

Example: If you car idles at 700 rpm, try placing the needle at 1000 rpm. It should want to “lay” down around 700. If it doesn’t, repeat the process until you are happy with the location. For the MPH, I go for a drive with my GPS and get to 80 MPH. I set the cruise control and carefully place the needle. If you don’t have a GPS, place the needle as close to 0 MPH as you can.

Step 4. Make sure you DO NOT push the needles on as hard as you can. (especially the little ones) If the needles are pressed on too far, they tend to rub against the gauge face and not move. If you do press on too hard and they don’t move, just refer to step #2 again.

[SexyTransAm]

sounds like a easy fix

[Fastbird]

Ok, exactly like I thought. My speedo is spot on, gps verified. Gotta love the tunability of the Dakota Digital SGI-5. I just need to do a R&R on the needles in question, and having torn down a cluster before save for needle removal, I should be able to complete that in car without pulling the cluster.

[Fazz73jr]

Nice write up! I'm going to do this very soon!

[ItSSlowZ28]

my needles are also slightly off from when i took out some stupid white face gauges. i'm just too lazy to go back and set everything to what its supposed to be