Replacement instrument gauge question

[ManzanoNissan]

Hey everyone. I've acquired a new display cluster to replace what was in my 1991 4 cylinder 5 speed D21 that had the weird option of no tach on a tach display. (who came up with that idea?) This was pulled from a 90-93 5 speed manual and you'll see the tach needle is advanced to the end. I'm wondering if this resets itself to base when I install or will this need the help of my finger rotating it back? Anyone with experience on this? Thanks mucho!

[img]https://imgur.com/a/5oEbK3X/img]

[VStar650CL]

If it's air core (most of the old ones are) just tip it upside down and rotate it. The late gen6 Maxima gauges are infamous for doing that, the fuel and temp gauges on those can actually roll all the way around such that the stop pin keeps the needle from moving upward. The only way to fix them is to pop the cluster out and rotate it. I don't think a D21 cluster would have a stepper movement, so if rolling it upside down doesn't move the needle, there may be something wrong with the tach.

[ManzanoNissan]

Hey Vstar. Thanks again. Just double checking I got your advice correct: remove the clear bezel. Tip the unit so it's upside down. Using your finger, turn the needle to 0?

[VStar650CL]

If you take the bezel off then you won't need to invert it, but air core types will usually just flop over when they're unpowered. There's nothing holding the needle on a typical air core gauge (and most steppers too) unless it's damped, and the vast majority aren't damped. So like I said, if it's stuck at the top then there may be a problem with it.

[ManzanoNissan]

Thanks Vstar. Well I didn't take the bezel off and use my finger. What I did do is give the unit some gentle knocks along the bottom where the tach is to see if I could get any needle movement or if it was stuck in position.

The needle is not stuck in position. Knocking it, you could see the needle bounce away from that push/pin for the hour/min and then the needle would rest against it.

I'm going to try installing it and seeing if a high rev for few moments resets it. If that doesn't work then I guess I pull the tach from the panel and inspect it. But I think it's ok. Just sitting in the wrong position.

[VStar650CL]

Those bezels aren't hard to remove, it's just plastic pawls around the perimeter. I'd use a finger.

[ManzanoNissan]

Got it. Good point. Thanks, will do. I'm just working on replacing some of her steering/suspension parts right now and will report on this when I get to the interior parts replacement.

[ManzanoNissan]

Those bezels aren't hard to remove, it's just plastic pawls around the perimeter. I'd use a finger.

Yep you were right. The front plastic cover is damaged, broken so I'll be transferring some parts from the original to this one but I was able to get my finger in there and flip that needle to 0 and that's where she stayed. I'm a happy camper.

[VStar650CL]