GXE gauges with SE Gauges write up
#1
GXE to SE Gauges swap write up
GXE Gauges to SE gauges
I ordered the SE gauges for the simple reason that i wanted the white face gauges but didn't like the aftermarket reverse glow ones i found out there. So you can't beat OEM. I also found that the GXE gauges are slightly different the OD light is in different spots and the GXE don't have air bags. And since my GXE don't have air bags the Air Bag light would just stay on.
Obviously i could just take out the bulb and that's what i did at first but found that I did pay attention to the OD light to see if it was on and off. I never noticed that i payed attention. So i figured screw it I'll just swap out the guts and since it is plug and play no biggie! this way i get the benefits of the odometer still being correct and the OD light still is functional.
Tools needed : Philips screw driver, Kool-Aid (optional)
Start buy removing the gauges
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_67.jpg)
Next take the front cover off
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_73_full.jpg)
than you have this
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_64.jpg)
Then remove these screws and undo the connection
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_72_full.jpg)
I ordered the SE gauges for the simple reason that i wanted the white face gauges but didn't like the aftermarket reverse glow ones i found out there. So you can't beat OEM. I also found that the GXE gauges are slightly different the OD light is in different spots and the GXE don't have air bags. And since my GXE don't have air bags the Air Bag light would just stay on.
Obviously i could just take out the bulb and that's what i did at first but found that I did pay attention to the OD light to see if it was on and off. I never noticed that i payed attention. So i figured screw it I'll just swap out the guts and since it is plug and play no biggie! this way i get the benefits of the odometer still being correct and the OD light still is functional.
Tools needed : Philips screw driver, Kool-Aid (optional)
Start buy removing the gauges
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_67.jpg)
Next take the front cover off
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_73_full.jpg)
than you have this
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_64.jpg)
Then remove these screws and undo the connection
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_72_full.jpg)
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_71_full.jpg)
#2
as you remove the screw each one of the gauges will come off
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_65.jpg)
at this point you are half way threw
Do the same with the other gauge
swap gauges, I don't know for sure it will make a diffrence but make sure to use the same screws in the same spots IE. tach screws speedometer screws etc
now work in reverse and when you are done you now have a GXE gauges with the white face gauges of a SE your speedometer is still correct and the OD light is functional
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_69.jpg)
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_68.jpg)
I added the CF bezel it was part of my dash kit. If you want the gauges to light white use the SE bulbs if not it will light up Green. thats what i did keep it all one color (dash) but still not sure though
I know few people will say that since the harness on the SE and the GXE are different the airbag light is different. Actually NO! the plastic board is different as you can see here the lines are not the same
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_74.jpg)
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_65.jpg)
at this point you are half way threw
Do the same with the other gauge
swap gauges, I don't know for sure it will make a diffrence but make sure to use the same screws in the same spots IE. tach screws speedometer screws etc
now work in reverse and when you are done you now have a GXE gauges with the white face gauges of a SE your speedometer is still correct and the OD light is functional
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_69.jpg)
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_68.jpg)
I added the CF bezel it was part of my dash kit. If you want the gauges to light white use the SE bulbs if not it will light up Green. thats what i did keep it all one color (dash) but still not sure though
I know few people will say that since the harness on the SE and the GXE are different the airbag light is different. Actually NO! the plastic board is different as you can see here the lines are not the same
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_74.jpg)
![](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2148000-2148999/2148645_75.jpg)
#9
I have a noob question about swapping SE gauges on a GXE. Since our stock speedometer only goes upto 125 and the SE's go upto 145...if you swap them isn't your speedo reading like 20mph higher than you're really going, or is there some way to fix this when installing the 145mph gauges on a GXE?
#10
Originally Posted by internetautomar
1. GXE had airbags as an option same as the SE (92s)
2. should have just gotten a 89-91 SE w/ AT cluster easier than all of that work.
2. should have just gotten a 89-91 SE w/ AT cluster easier than all of that work.
Originally Posted by Supercross
I have a noob question about swapping SE gauges on a GXE. Since our stock speedometer only goes upto 125 and the SE's go upto 145...if you swap them isn't your speedo reading like 20mph higher than you're really going, or is there some way to fix this when installing the 145mph gauges on a GXE?
#12
Is the circuitry for the airbag light built in to the clusters for cars w/o airbags? In other words, if I swap mine will that particular light function if I put a bulb in it?
#13
Originally Posted by Supercross
I have a noob question about swapping SE gauges on a GXE. Since our stock speedometer only goes upto 125 and the SE's go upto 145...if you swap them isn't your speedo reading like 20mph higher than you're really going, or is there some way to fix this when installing the 145mph gauges on a GXE?
nope its correct. They both use the same gearing in the speed sensor and cluster (has nothing to do with the ecu as one guy said) so it turns out right.
Many have done the swap without problems.
#14
I did this swap back in October 05..I just replaced the gauges, my GXE has airbags. the OD light is covered but I dont care as I can tell when its on/off anyway. If I would've known that the 145mph was plug and play with out any problem I would've just gotten that!
The best way to learn is practicing on junkyard cars
The best way to learn is practicing on junkyard cars
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#16
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Originally Posted by Supercross
I have a noob question about swapping SE gauges on a GXE. Since our stock speedometer only goes upto 125 and the SE's go upto 145...if you swap them isn't your speedo reading like 20mph higher than you're really going, or is there some way to fix this when installing the 145mph gauges on a GXE?
#17
Originally Posted by Pervis Anathema
I tried that I do not recommend it if you ever want plan to sell your car. The numbers are pratically impossible to line back up and it will look tampered with. I just swapped the speedo and called it a day but I was going from VG SE to VE SE gauges.
I think he meant swap the whole ODO which is easy to do (few screws). I have taken a ODO out and changed the mileage as well because I had a non working ODO or a bad trip ODO cant remember. Anyway its not too hard if you take it all apart and align it. Mine didnt look tampered with at all. After you take the ODO out (screws on the back) you can see that there is another metal lever that holds the bar which holds the numbers etc...I cant remember the details but remember it wasnt so bad doing it that way either. Matter of fact it may be your car I did the ODO on because of the trip ODO. I cant remember though since I have so many of these clusters (got two spares sitting in my carport I dont know where they came from). I didnt change the mileage BTW.
#19
ONE last thing that Loco (and I) forgot to mention on the swap..for the tach gauge, there's gonna be some plastic "spacer" like material that'll leave an ugly gap on he gauges, for me all I had to do was clip it with some wirecutters and it looks decent. just letting the others that havent done the swap know so they dont umm freak out. Did any of the guys that have swapped had that same problem?
#20
Originally Posted by ColombianMax
ONE last thing that Loco (and I) forgot to mention on the swap..for the tach gauge, there's gonna be some plastic "spacer" like material that'll leave an ugly gap on he gauges, for me all I had to do was clip it with some wirecutters and it looks decent. just letting the others that havent done the swap know so they dont umm freak out. Did any of the guys that have swapped had that same problem?
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