How to: Swap your gauge needles

[Xdisaster240sX]

Im not really sure where to put this write up so a Mod can move it to the proper place.

Tools:

I got my red needles off a 99 Sentra. Altima, Maxima, and other years of Sentras will work also.

Time: 1 to 2 hours

The first thing you need to do is remove the 5 screws on the bottom of the dash panel. There will be 2 12mm bolts holding your steering column up. Unscrew those and push your column down.

Now. Pull out your switches and unplug them. Be careful with the dimmer switch. It brakes easy. You could also unscrew the 2 screws on the top of the bezel then unplug the switches that way.. After you remove the bezel there will be 3 screws holding the gauge pod on. Remove those and unplug the wires from the back.

Once you have the cluster out, you will see tabs holding it together. Push the second row of tabs out and this will remove the clear plastic and the black face plate around the gauges.Use you flat head screw driver, Pliers or something small to pull the needles off. Its ok if the metal pin comes with it.

Push you new needles in and make sure their in the same position you pulled them out. Once replaced put everything back together and enjoy.

Here a night time picture.
Modified by Xdisaster240sX at 6:00 PM 9/28/2009

[macneil]

Nice write up. can you post a pic of the gauges at night?

[Xdisaster240sX]

Why...Yes I can sir.

[2projects2many]

So I'm assuming that your previous post requesting help on this matter must have gotten resolved, seeing that you post a "How To" now? Let's see those night pics!

[Xdisaster240sX]

Yeah...I didnt push the needles in enough. They work great now. I posted the night picture in my first post.

[macneil]

I like it, its something different. and relatively easy if you have access to a junk yard. nice work

[94_240sx]

Did you remove the needle again and position correctly after you saw this. I think you always turn on ACC and put the speedo needle back in.

[EchaKqulo]

Do they need to be re-calibrated or anything??

[94_240sx]

Do they need to be re-calibrated or anything??

I believe so. When I turn the key, speedo needle went up like in above picture.

[Xdisaster240sX]

No, My speedo is broke thats why I decided to do this on these gauges just incase. everything else works great.

[i4jdm]

any ideas of how to get ur needles to light up orange/amber colored...i would like that far more that red...mine dont even really light up any more.

[Xdisaster240sX]

I think the older Maxima have orange needles.

[i4jdm]

I think the older Maxima have orange needles.

too bad i dont have access to a junk yard...id like to try with orange needles

[Xdisaster240sX]

If you cover shipping, Ill grab some for you

[i4jdm]

If you cover shipping, Ill grab some for you

really? orange ones? though would be great.

[Xdisaster240sX]

really. hit me up at [email protected]

[EchaKqulo]

I believe so. When I turn the key, speedo needle went up like in above picture.

The way to calibrate them would be taking them back, turn and place them back or is there any internal mechanism alignment?

[hbpignosePA]

cool idea

lot of work tho

im lazy

and im doin custom gauge cluster

[EvillE423]

When I took my needles out, it took me forever to get them working right again. They look good though! Nice write up!

[Xdisaster240sX]

Post up your pics

[sviellvoicae]

Post up your pics

Please do, I have been interested in doing this as well...

[nissangirl74]

What do you want your Custom Title to be?

[silviaS13lover]

i did this awile back. i had trouble getting my needles to be in the correct position. i ruined a perfectly good cluster. anywho it's cool, but also hit or miss. looks sick tho.

[omegahunterbass]

I want to get red needles with blue backlit gauges. Are the ImportIntelligence gauges just overlays?? I kinda want actual gauges, not overlays...>.>