Removing Instrument Gauge Cluster & Installing Indiglow Gauges or Chrome Rings

Disclaimer: By using these guides, you are removing us from any liability that is related to any injury that might occur. I would suggest having a friend help you on these installs, if you are unsure about your abilities for any of these projects, get a professional to do it.

Credit goes to: Rmstoico for the info

Removing Gauge Cluster

Estimated Time: 30min – 1.5 hrs

Tools: Small flathead screwdriver / Long Philips screwdriver / Canned Air / Hairdryer (for rings only)

Instructions:

1. Remove the plastic molding around the steering column. (There are screws underneath)

2. The Cruise Control Button & Dimmer button need to come out. Use the smallest flathead screwdriver you have and pry between the molding and button housing. (Note: wrap/tape the end of the flathead screwdriver with a paper towel or thin cloth, to avoid scratching anything) There are 2 prongs on the top and bottom of these housings that bend in and clip when it is installed. You need to work at getting these to bend in to pull the buttons out of the housings. After the buttons are removed, unplug the wires that are connected to them.

3. There are 4 screws for the black frame housing that covers the plexi cover. 2 screws on top & 1 in each of the openings where the buttons were in the housings. (you will need a long Philips screwdriver to get these screws out)

4. Slide the housing over the wheel (lower the steering wheel all the way down)


5. to get the gauge cluster out, remove all the screws holding it in, and also remove the steel frame on the top of it. (you cannot get it out without removing the frame) There are 3 or 4 plugs on top of the cluster that you need to unplug. (they only fit in their respective holes, so no need to label the wiring plugs)


6. Remove the plexi from the cluster by removing the clips that hold it on. (Note: do NOT attempt to touch or remove the needles! They will break easily. The needles can spin around, but make sure they are in the correct “0” position” before reinstalling everything.)

7. For reinstalling, follow the steps in reverse, hooking everything back up the way it was. (Before reinstalling the plexi, it would be a good idea to use the caned air to spray out any dust and fuzz)


Installing Indiglow Gauges:

1. After removing the plexi, start by removing the screws on the old gauges. (again, don’t touch needles)

2. Slide the gauge hole over the long part of the needle, then bend the gauge down and slide it over the back of the needle. (be careful!)

3. Remove the 4 bulbs in the back of the cluster behind the gauges. (Note: you won’t need these bulbs anymore now that you have the gauges)

4. Hook everything back up except the black housing piece that goes in front of the plexi. (Note: Make sure your new gauge wires are off to the right and can be pulled through the hole where the dimmer switch goes.)

5. There are 3 wires that run into the back of the dimmer harness. Run the power wire into either the red wire (both work) that goes into the back of the dimmer harness, and the black wire into the black wire on the harness.

6. Reinstall everything back into place


Chrome Gauge Rings:

1. After removing the plexi, start by spraying off the cluster with canned air. (again, be careful & don’t touch needles)

2. Take a hairdryer and heat up the black sticky tape on the back of the rings. Once heated, just stick the rings into place


3. Again, spray off everything with air, and then reinstall everything.

 

Nice write ups guys! This was long coming.

 

any possibility of pics for the installation of the gauges?

 

thank you, this helped alot.

make sure u remove the plugs before trying to yank out the cluster-


this is a good tip

 

Thanks for the write-ups CJ, I used this and the changing gauge cluster cuz it had better pics to get mine out, and it was perfect. The gauge cluster was better, cuz it outlined ALL the screws that you need to remove. Here's what I did with mine, I'm in the process of wrapping my dash to match the gauges and hood.

 

where are we getting these chrome gauge rings from????? i want i want

 

ditto

 

awesome dyi acura3.0cl i just put my rings on and they look SICK

 

blueCL....and you got the rings from????

 

I would assume eBay has them, but id like to hear from someone who has them already

 

yeah i got mine from ebay for like $6 shipped to my house

 

do you have a link to the seller?

 

Thanks for write up, I was able to take the cluster out in about 20 minutes.