Resetting Odometer Reading

[Jonymoto]

I've bought an instrument cluster for my dlx T4 from a wrecker in another state. It is from an SR5 model and is fitted with a tacho. I'll be receiving it in a couple of days. Can someone tell me if it is possible to reset the odometer reading to match the mileage that my car has covered, please?

[Petros]

they are made to be tamper proof,

There may be a way to take it apart and reset the numbers to match your old one. I took my apart when I switched instrument clusters, looked at it and thought the risk of damaging it was too great and just left it. I made a note of the difference in miles and just keep it in the ash tray, could also write it on the side of the cluster. I did not want to attempt to try it. If the replacement has lower miles, you can perhaps put a drill on it and spin it up until it matches (may take a while though).

[Jonymoto]

Thanks Petros. I thought that would be the case, but I think I read somewhere on this site where someone said it is possible to alter the numbers. I'm not keen to take it apart as if memory serve me right it's a sealed unit.

[Mattel]

welcome back Jony! I have heard of some cars where you could replace the odometer unit with one out of another car. I wonder if you can take your original odometer out of your old instruments and put it in the new one? does anyone know about this?

[Mattel]

BTW. I've been having naughty thoughts about buying this http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kapunda/ ... 1123740099 as my parents are in Adelaide. hmmm

[irowiki]

The DLX and SR5 use different clusters and different odometer units.

I tried resetting the mileage on one, you'd basically have to cut off tabs and remelt them together, and even when I tried to do that, I couldn't get the numbers to change all that well.

[ARCHINSTL]

BTW. I've been having naughty thoughts about buying this http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kapunda/ ... 1123740099 as my parents are in Adelaide. hmmm

WOW! So clean and with all of the bells and whistles, including the luggage cover.
950AUD = 734USD = OMG
I wonder why no mileage is listed?
Amazing what is available when no snow/salt need be considered ...
Tom M.

[Petros]

I tried resetting the mileage on one, you'd basically have to cut off tabs and remelt them together, and even when I tried to do that, I couldn't get the numbers to change all that well.

that is what I recall, the odo unit is in a plastic housing melted closed. I thought about cutting it open and than super gluing it back together, but the complex mechanism (like a clock), looked like once the case was popped open would fall apart. It would just ruin the odo. There might be a way of reassembling it with all the correct numbers showing, but I decided it was not worth that much effort nor the risk of ruining it (which would likely happen consider the plastic parts are all 30+ years old, brittle, and designed to prevent such "tampering").

[mrdance123]

I've reset mileage twice, with success, when upgrading to SR5 tach clusters.
The base models have the tach wiring (with no tach), the connectors are the same.
One I did very recently, so I remember it well:

The instrument cluster opens up easily,
removing screws and prying / releasing the plastic snap tabs around the front edges,
and unscrewing the mileage reset knob from it's stick.
Nothing will break if careful, it snaps back together.
Once open, unscrew the odometer/speed unit from the back side of the circuit board.
Keep track of which one has the wire harness under the screw to reassemble.
Pull the speed needle off, then the front plate, held by the 2 tiny screws.
Note the position of the stop tabs on the number wheels for proper alignment at reassembly.
Do they straddle, or are they in front of or behind the framework...remember this, I don't.
Remove the number spindle by melting the plastic tabs on each end, I used a soldering iron.
Now the numbers are free to spin Willy Nelly to wherever.
Reattach by remelting 'soldering' the remaining plastic tabs, but if that's not sufficient,
use plastic dabs from a Harbor Freight hot glue gun, or epoxy glue.
The center spindle does NOT need to spin, the wheels spin ON it....it's ok to glue it's ends.
Make sure spindle properly positioned deep enough to engage the gear on the 10'ths wheel.
I had to take one apart again because I messed this up, no miles movement as result.
Make sure the stop tabs on each wheel are properly 'positioned' against the metal frame,
and the numbers show centered straight through the front plate, before making the final glue attachment.

Test all the indicator lights while your'e at it!
I replaced all the green rubber-ed background lights with clear bulbs,
what a difference, I love how bright that makes it.
If any of you want my green ones let me know, I saved them.

[Jonymoto]

Mattel, I saw that Tercel on Gumtree too. Looks like a good buy. I would've bought it myself if it was in Melbourne.
Thanks Mrdance - I'm encouraged by your advice. The new cluster has only 154,000Kms on it. Mine has almost 310,000kms. If I find it too hard I could probably connect the speedo cable to a hand drill or a small high speed motor and advance the numbers without buggering up the little gears. Maybe I could get it to 160,000 to make it a nice round figure to remember the difference (of 150,000).

[rer233]

I agree with mrd with one exception- rather than melting the plastic, I used a Dremmel Tool to carefully grind away the melted plastic retaining tabs (I was leery of doing irreparable damage with a solder gun.) I then re-attached the replacement odometer drum with a couple dabs of J B Weld. Been working fine for over a year now.

Good Luck- hope this helps.

[Jonymoto]

Thanks mrd & rer233. One more question - is the loose cable shown in the attached photo the one that connects to the distributor for the Tacho on the SR5?

[Petros]

the tach wire is in the same connector (a round one with two contacts) as the power supply to the distributor, it is already present on all models of TErcels. You do not need to run a new wire to the cluster, it is already built into the large cluster connector. when you install the new cluster, including the large electrical connector, the tach should work.

[Jonymoto]

The SR5 cluster arrived on Friday. Unfortunately I'm sending it back for a refund because the auto wrecker posted it in bubble wrap and no carton for protection and it was damaged on arrival.

Petros, on my dlx, there's no tacho wire connected to my distributor. But I do have an unconnected wire as shown in the previous photo (with green plug). Is this the one that would normally be connected to the dizzy?

[Mattel]

Jony, That Tercel at centre road wreckers is an sr5.
Petros, Australian distributors are different to the USA ones. ours came with points but most people change to electronic.