Gauge cluster removal

How-to's and repair secrets for your 4WD can be found here. Have a question? Ask it in here!
Post Reply
User avatar
NWMO
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1622
Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 1:08 pm

Gauge cluster removal

Post by NWMO »

Ok,

I’ve got the cluster loose, but the speedo cable is keeping me from pulling it out much. The wiring harness looks to have play, but presumably the speedo cable is holding firm. Do I need to disconnect the cable at the tranny to free up??

Chris
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart"

In remembrance of my friend ARCHINSTL:

T4WD augury?
"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
T.S. Eliot - "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"

"Now and then we had a hope that, if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
Mark Twain
User avatar
Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11933
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Gauge cluster removal

Post by Petros »

yes, it just pops off once you squeeze the white plastic clip holding it. usually you can do it with your fingers, or a long reach pliers. it is fairly easy to get off.

you pop off the various wire connectors from the hood, those too usually have a squeeze lever or clip on each connector. for some reason the one on the left side of the hood is very difficult to pop out, I just flip it to the side. it will allow you to remove the instrument cluster, which has a single large connector that will also come out easy once you release the connector tab. that will allow you to remove the cluster to lubricate it, check the instrument lights, and get at the speedo cable.

once you figure it all out it is fairly fast and easy. first time you typically are scratching your head, it is like puzzle, you should not have to force anything too much.

good luck.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
User avatar
Abletobecain
Top Notch Member
Posts: 415
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2018 9:18 am
My tercel:: 1983 4WD DLX, 1986 4WD SR5, 1985 4WD SR5, 1983 4WD SR5
Location: Kitsap County
Contact:

Re: Gauge cluster removal

Post by Abletobecain »

The speedo cable clip on the back of the cluster has two securing points. One side is a push and the other side is a pull. When you get them right, it comes right off.
1977 BMW R100S 1WD ("Brunhilda"/Summer Fun)
1983 DLX Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Charlie"/Daily Driver)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Sprocket"/Off-road-Camping)
1985 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Lucky"/Project)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Cadaver"/Parts Car)
1985 Ford F250 6.9IDI ("Franklin"/Hauler)
1987 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Ravensburger"/in a million pieces)
2006 BMW 530XI Wagon ("Inga"/Roadtripper)
1969 Mercury Montego MX Convertible ("Big Ed"/My Dad's Old Car)
1983 SR5 Tercel Wagon 4WD ("Al"/for sale soon)
User avatar
NWMO
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1622
Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 1:08 pm

Re: Gauge cluster removal

Post by NWMO »

Thanks fellas,

Got it out and hopefully have it sold.

Chris
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart"

In remembrance of my friend ARCHINSTL:

T4WD augury?
"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
T.S. Eliot - "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"

"Now and then we had a hope that, if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
Mark Twain
Post Reply