Help, i've just fitted a set of white dials and now i can't get a proper speedo reading (too high) and my rev counter will move up slowly but takes ages to come back down so i don't have a proper reading, any help please
Robby

 

Anyone - please help meeeeeee

 

Sounds like you didn't put the needles back on properly. The speedo one is probably on in the wrong place, it will be difficult to find it's right place now, but have a look at the picture below, this is the resting places of my needles on a MY96(taken yesterday before fitting white dials). The rev counter one is probably sticking, ensure that the needle centre ring is not actually touching the dial, if it is try lifting it a little bit. It is crucial that the needles are put on exactly as they came off, your best bet is to remove the dials fascia so that you can access the needles, then remove the needles and replace them like the picture below, then hook the unit back up leaving the fascia off, go for a run, then adjust the needles, go for another run etc. till your happy.



Hope this helps.

Stuart

 

Cheers for that Stuart i'll try again at the weekend
Robby

 

If u still have misreadings then take it to ur local dealer and have the speedo reset and tested. I got mines done and is now perfect.

 

Help, this is a familiar problem judging from this thread.

Not convinced the speedo is right now, how much will a dealer charge to calibrate?

I have fitted the dials but the rev counter is sticking (tapping the dash returns it to zero). I have tried moving it out on the spindle a little, maybe its out too much? Any advice?

Should the fuel and temp gauges light up?

Help.

 

Had another look this morning (on the way to work), the Rev counter is sticking at about 2k but eventually drops to zero when I stop. It seems to be broadly in line with the speedo when it works but must of the time sticks at 2K. The speedo seems about right but a bit slow to return to zero (but I can't remember what it was like before, never paid it too much attention). I've worked out why the other gauges aren't lighting up.

Please help on the above, I wish I'd never started this job and left well alone.

 

Hi Chris,

yes it is a B@st@rd when the needles aren't in right. I did this the first time I changed my dials and ended up witha 3000rpm tickover (indicated) and a speedo that underread by 20mph. to check your speedo is right, you don't need to go to a dealer, although I don't think they'll charge too much. Get a mate with a car and find a nice deserted stretch of motorway at night. get him to drive at ceratin agreed speeds eg 50 70 90 and pull alongside and see what your speedo reads. That way you'll know roughly how far out you are if at all.

In my experience, if you pull the needles off with 2 spoons, heating the spindle first with a hairdryer there is no problem as the needles just slide out. if you don't heat them enough or remove them with fingers,they come out jerkily and you often disturb the needles from their rest positions.

Try, when you think you've got the needle right, flicking it gently with your finger, it should rise up and come slowly down. If you flick it up past half way it should flop over to the far side of the dial. flick it back and it should return to the rest point. do that and you won't have to keep plugging it in to see if it works.

The fuel and temp gauges should light up. check the bulbs. Plugging the dash in and out repeatedly might have blown or loosenned them. 2 went on mine.

If you are still having problems, do you live near Manchester? If so, email me and I'll come and put it right for you.

Hope this helps. Trust me, it's worth it when it all works right.

Rich


[This message has been edited by RICH WILD (edited 27 June 2001).]

 

Cheers mate, sadly I'm no where near Manchester otherwise I would take you up on the offer because after spending 8.00pm-11.45pm last night on it I was pretty fed up.

I will give you advice a go tonight and see how I get on.

Thanks again.

 

Chris,

email me off line and let me know how you get on. Whereabouts are you anyway, just out of interest?

Rich

 

The latest update.

Disaster No. 1, I realised that simply slipping the white faces over the black dials for the temp/fuel gauges worked(!) but resulted in the gauges not lighting up. In cutting the old faces off I managed to break the shaft on the fuel gauge (string of swear words followed). I guess if I fill right up with fuel I can super glue it back on, otherwise its time to buy a new or s/hand one and start the process again.

Disaster No. 2, despite taking it all apart again the Rev counter still sticks. There appears to be a lot of slack in the shaft (!). If I pull it right out the gauge has plenty of free movement but it falls back in as soon as I fit the gauges and sticks again very quickly.

In summary I am totally pissed off with the whole thing, right now if I could have my old boring black dials back and working I would. I at least now have four beautifully lit gauges but only two are working.

Any advice gratefully received.

 

A Quick question for u guy's.
Do you have to remove the steering wheel to get the binacle out, as I have always had to on previous cars.

If so, how do you cope with the Airbag.

I presume that the old black dials are removed before fitting the white ones.

Lastly, which ones have u used. Lockwood or any other variants.

Cheers

 

No need to remove the steering wheel, infact I would leave it well alone. All you need to do is drop the column to is lowest position.

Remember to mark where the rev and speedo needles rest before you remove them, and when you put them back on "flick them a few times in each direction to ensure that a) they don't stick and b) they rest exactly where marked.

Stuart

 

Chris dude,

Fitted a Lockwood dial kit meself and 'bin there dun that'. Got the speedo just about right, but completely fecked up the tacho. All the symptoms you describe. I'm now resigned to finding a second hand one, (rare as rockin' 'orse sh1+) but at least I can now dismantle the entire instrument pod in 10 mins.
Bummer about your fuel gauge, I left mine with the orig dials underneath, and just enough light comes thru at night for me to squint at.
If your tacho is electronic, gimme a shout and I can tell you how to remove it.

Cube.

[This message has been edited by cube (edited 17 July 2001).]

 

I was saved from impending scrapyard hunts by a Scoobynet 'guardian angel', someone with a spare dash who broke their speedo/temp gauge and had spare fuel/rev counters!

I too am a total expert at getting the pod in and out!!!

 

C.N. It has reminded me, (I've been without a tacho so long now) that I'm off to the wanted's see if anyone else has one.

C.