98-rl...i have to change the instrument cluster as the speedometer does not work. i got a used cluster from the internet but wanted to what happens to the odometer reading when the cluster is replace and is there a way to set it to the right reading?

 

You'll need to take them to a speedometer shop and have them do the switch.

 

thanks....are you saying the shop has to install the cluster? i.e., diy is not legal?

 

PS...any idea what is typical charge for the switch?

 

It is not that hard to swap out the instrument cluster. Go to www.pdftown.com and search on "acura rl". Download the tech manual (40 MB). There are diagrams and step by step instructions....

 

Its not too hard to swap it out. I've taken the dash completely apart and I've done the LED swap for the gauge cluster too.

The hard part is electronically altering the mileage. You need special equipment for that.

 

so it was you who bought the one on ebay! I check every so often since my odometer\trip went out, so I've been on the search for one that's close to my miles. wish there was a way to just fix that grrr

 

Let me tell you something important. You can buy any instrument cluster from 96-03 RL regardless of mileage if you just want to replace your non-working speedometer, tacometer, temp & fuel gauge, or odometer disply. The mileage information is stored on a ROM memory of the instrument cluster board. So, you can just swap the parts you need from working unit to your instrument cluster. Then, you will keep your mileage with everything working.

Go and get a cheap one on eBay. FYI, some temp & fuel gauge from 96-98 RLs doesn't have TCS light option although the boards have the feature the same to TCS version.

97_RLer

 

does the odo display come off the board in the cluster? I didn't check last time I had it out.

if so, drgkjaz hook me up with the extra!

 

I guess you missed my point. The odo display is just a display. It doesn't memorize any of your mileage data there. The current mileage information is stored on an IC chip on the instrument cluster board. Of course, you can take the odo display off the board easy.

 

I sold the cluster for my car to a guy for $75. He had mileage that was higher than my car (over 300k). He said it was fairly easy to swap out...

 

oh sweet!! I did not know that. Damn wish I knew that when there were cheap clusters on ebay.

My problem is the display is shot on mine, so I just need a new odo display and back in business

 

If your odo disply is totally dark, either odo display inverter is dead or the instrument cluster board itself is dead. The letter you have to change the board result to loose your mileage information. You may check whether your odo display inverter is dead or not. If you can introduce a strong direct sunlight to the odo display with key on, you may barely see your odo reading. In this case, your odo display inverter is dead so you can just swap the display to fix it. Otherwise, your board is shot.

 

There is one on ebay now. Check number 200291477723

 

ah ended, at a really high price,

but I looked at the odo with key in with direct sunlight on it, and could not see the reading. soo looks like the search for one closest to 130k is on