SlackR237

Holy crap I think I just killed my Max's gauges!!!

So I was sick of the black gauge faces on my max, so I decided to get some white glow gauges to spice up the dash. In case you're curious, these are the ones I got...
http://www.procarparts.com/store-det...=onlinestoreDB

So I thought to myself... Switching gauge faces? How hard can this be?? Well, right now I'm about three hours into it and I think I screwed up big time. I got through the dash and brought the gauges indoors. To fit the new white gauge faces on the old black ones, I had to pull the needle off of the tachometer (my first, experimental needle-pulling endeavor). I put the white gauge face back on, it looks great, but now the needle won't behave the way it's supposed to.
Before I took the needle off, I would manually push it up (to 3000 RPMs, let's say), and it would glide down, same as the speedometer needle. Now, after I put it back on, I'm VERY lucky if it has half of that gliding action, usually it just stays in one place... I hooked it back up and took it out for a short drive, and it's just not the same! The needle is all jerky and won't come down half the time...

Does anyone know what I did or have any suggestions on how to fix this?? And in a worse case scenario, how much new gauge faces w/ electrical components would cost??

Keyser Skoze

I never did my gauges because of this reason. Im no expert but i dont think you are sopposed to remove the needles. cause they wont work the same. i dont know what to tell you dude. but good luck and worst case just buy another cluster from ebay or something.

Nismotic

iTrader: (25)

my first experience was my last. You should go ahead and look for another speedometer...

CamryKilla

find one in a junkyard, and if you still want white faces, buy em, and have some place install em for you

syc

Exactly which needle you pulled off and which needle you didn't but to glide down on it ? I'm a bit confused.

Jepht20

iTrader: (10)

it sounds to me like your needle(s) is/are sticking to the gauge. make sure the gauge is flat flat flat and the edges of it aren't touching the needle base at all. i had every problem you can think of with gauge overlays and such but eventually mastered it. then i decided i didn't like the ricey aftermarket ones that were too bright for me, so i bought white SE gauges, a new speedo cuz i broke my old one , and put it all together and then put blue leds behind them. they look great, i get compliments all the time, and best part of all, they work!

you can get a new gauge cluster from ebay, on here, or a junkyard for anywhere between $25-75 depending on the mileage and however much the person wants to charge you. i lucked out and got a good deal, search around but try to fix your's first. goodluck


*ps - please please please please please read the stickies up top! loads of info and how 2's to help you out...might even answer your questions before you have to ask for help.

zboy

iTrader: (2)

you have to be very careful when you remove the needles..and also make sure you 'zero' them.

when I took mine off, I let the needle drop as far as it would past zero and marked that point, then *gently* pulled up while slowly twisting the needle around the shaft. I think if you just pull straight up on these gauges you can break them. If you twist it while you pull up there's a lot less friction..

but yout needle could be sticking..lots of people notice that when they change faces (I just added some LEDs)

Keyser Skoze

Yea i agree with the gauges beeing cheezy... They are too bright. I think if you change the gauges cause you want blue, red etc. then just change the damn LED's. I think it looks better anyway.

phenryiv1

iTrader: (19)

Check the stickies. I did this and there are several write-ups on this. I wrote one, and I referenced another in my post.

SlackR237

Yeah I just scrapped the whole gauge-replacement project. The needles are okay, but they'll never be the same as they were. I'm currently driving with the crappy needles, I just ordered an SE gauge cluster, and I'm looking to install some blue LEDs for the needles.

http://www.petah.org/maxima/gauge.htm is listed in the stickies as a link to install LEDs, but this is for installation in a 97-99 max, and I have a 96 max. Is there going to be any difference between the two?

wariow

iTrader: (3)

the writeup above is for led needles. Changing the bulbs for a 95-96 is a lot easier, just replace the 194's and you're set to go. The only thing that concerns me is the power source. You can try using the same holes as I did with the 194 wedges in the 95-96. G'luck, tell us how it goes.

Keyser Skoze

What bulbs do the 98-99's use (for the cluster)?

SlackR237

Well my main objcetive was to get LED needles.... Do I HAVE to replace the 194's to get this, or can I just make a connection with something that's already there?