Speedhut Gauges Install Problem...Please Help
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Speedhut Gauges Install Problem...Please Help
Ok, here's my problem. I drilled a couple of holes on top of the instrument cluster to feed the Speedhut wires through. The two on the left side were a pain to feed through the hole, but I eventually got them through. The two on the right were also a pain. I got one of them through and then spent an hour trying to get the other through and couldn't. Instead of pulling the one out and drilling a larger hole (I'm a friggin idiot), I cut off the wire, fed it through the hole, and then spliced it back together. Well, I put the instrument panel back into the truck and guess which was the only one not working...of course, the one that I cut. I tried re-splicing it thinking that I didn't have a good connection and still nothing. Now I've cut off both the male and female plug for this particular white face gauge (the one for the fuel level) and have them spliced directly together and still nothing. I thought in my struggle to pull this wire through the hole I might have damaged one of the connectors so that's why I cut both off. I'm at wits end. What's wrong here? Why won't this one work just because I spliced the wires together? Someone please help that's got experience with these things. Thanks.
Matt
Matt
#2
Originally Posted by LSUMatt1514
Ok, here's my problem. I drilled a couple of holes on top of the instrument cluster to feed the Speedhut wires through. The two on the left side were a pain to feed through the hole, but I eventually got them through. The two on the right were also a pain. I got one of them through and then spent an hour trying to get the other through and couldn't. Instead of pulling the one out and drilling a larger hole (I'm a friggin idiot), I cut off the wire, fed it through the hole, and then spliced it back together. Well, I put the instrument panel back into the truck and guess which was the only one not working...of course, the one that I cut. I tried re-splicing it thinking that I didn't have a good connection and still nothing. Now I've cut off both the male and female plug for this particular white face gauge (the one for the fuel level) and have them spliced directly together and still nothing. I thought in my struggle to pull this wire through the hole I might have damaged one of the connectors so that's why I cut both off. I'm at wits end. What's wrong here? Why won't this one work just because I spliced the wires together? Someone please help that's got experience with these things. Thanks.
Matt
Matt
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These things are really pissing me off. I pulled out the cluster again to look and see if I saw anything unusual. Well, one of the wires leading into the gauge that wasn't working had pulled loose at the white panel (somehow worked it's way out of that black grommet connected to the gauge). I pushed it back in as best as I could and put some electrcial tape on it. I closed everything back up, thinking I had found the problem, and now NONE, that's right, NONE of the four are working. What in the freakin world is wrong now? I hope somebody might be able to shed some light on this for me. Thanks.
Matt
Matt
#4
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Wow, sorry to hear about the troubles. I am probably off here but it sounds like when you put everything back together and in the dash, you are shacking/breaking something loose. Have you tried checking that the gauges work before stuffing onto the old gauges an into the dash?
By the way, what wire (color) did you splice into for power???? I am dying to ˟˟˟˟˟˟ up my gauges. Sorry, I kidd because I love. But really, which wire?
By the way, what wire (color) did you splice into for power???? I am dying to ˟˟˟˟˟˟ up my gauges. Sorry, I kidd because I love. But really, which wire?
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I am in the process of pulling these things out and throwing them in a corner. Unless Speedhut can help me out, I'm not going to mess with them anymore. For the power, I tapped into the dimmer prong on my voltmeter. I did the same for the ground. Beats trying to find one when I already know where each of them were. Hope you have better luck than me. ˟˟˟˟˟ these things!!!
Matt
Matt
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The day of hell has finally come to a climax. When I was pulling those damn Speedhut gauges off, my speedometer needle bent a little too much and dipped way down past where it had been. I was afraid that it was messed up and I just went for a test drive and sure enough, it's broken. It seems as though it's about 10-15 mph off and won't even move until I've been accelerting for a few seconds. I am so pissed right now I could punch a whole through the wall and I just might do it. Does anyone know if the thing can be re-calibrated or am I looking at buying a new instrument cluster?
Matt
Matt
#7
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Okay, first sit down and pour yourself a drink. And don't gulp it! Now, there is a web site that sells aftermarket needles and I asked about re-calibration. This is what they said... When you pull off the needle, it will need to be re-calibrated. Before you pull off the needle, note where it is pointing (otherwords, if it's the gas gauge, where exactly was the needle pointing between F & E). If you tore off your tack or speedo, I would have to assume, big word there, the needle is at zero. Just ran to the truck, the needles sit at exactly 0. Just pop it back on so it sits at zero.
That is how it was explained to me. Maybe that'll help, maybe you tried it already. But if I was you I wouldn't go near your ride until tomorrow. A fresh perspective and cooler head, ya' know?
Good luck.
That is how it was explained to me. Maybe that'll help, maybe you tried it already. But if I was you I wouldn't go near your ride until tomorrow. A fresh perspective and cooler head, ya' know?
Good luck.
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It would be a great idea if somebody who has a knack for installing these things would take the time to put together a good writeup for the rest of us knuckleheads. Since Speedhut put this kit together for a bunch of us -- and theoretically they should all be the same -- it would be nice if we could all install them with some degree of reliability.
After installing a new stereo, I'm all set to tackle just about anything. However, I also know how easily I screw things up! Posts like this are ... uh ... somewhat depressing.
Good luck, man.
After installing a new stereo, I'm all set to tackle just about anything. However, I also know how easily I screw things up! Posts like this are ... uh ... somewhat depressing.
Good luck, man.
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Here's the problem. When I removed the "stop" for the speedometer needle, the needle would drop slightly and then stop. When It bent too much was when it drop significantly. I think what has happened is that the gauge is now thinking that the "zero" position is much lower. This would explain why the needle does not move for a couple of seconds when I accelerate. I then seems as though it's about 10-15 mph off. I talked with Limbaugh Toyota this morning and they said that I could "re-zero" it myself, but I'm not going to take that risk. I'm gonna have them take a look at it and make sure that nothing else is wrong. Hopefully I can avoid having to buy a new instrument panel.
I sent Speedhut a couple of emails yesterday and they responded today saying that they would issue a return number and send me a new set of gauges. The question is, do I attempt this again and risk screwing up these needles after I get them fixed? I dunno.
Matt
I sent Speedhut a couple of emails yesterday and they responded today saying that they would issue a return number and send me a new set of gauges. The question is, do I attempt this again and risk screwing up these needles after I get them fixed? I dunno.
Matt
#10
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VF84,
There's one or two write ups on installing gauges in the tech section, including mine: http://www.4runners.org/articles/wfg
LSU's install sound very similar to the Initial K ones I put in my old 99. Matt, i think you hit the nail on the head: when you cut the wires, that probably screwed things up for you.
And a speedometer shop and easily re-calibrate your speedo needle. Local prices here in LA are around $100. Best thing to do is to remove your speedo and bring it in (that is, have a friend drive you or find another car). They jack up the price if they have ot remove your gauge cluster.
Good to hear you got a replacement. pretty generous of them if you axe me.
As for trying ot reinstall them, why don't you install them before you go to the speedo shop?
Bob
There's one or two write ups on installing gauges in the tech section, including mine: http://www.4runners.org/articles/wfg
LSU's install sound very similar to the Initial K ones I put in my old 99. Matt, i think you hit the nail on the head: when you cut the wires, that probably screwed things up for you.
And a speedometer shop and easily re-calibrate your speedo needle. Local prices here in LA are around $100. Best thing to do is to remove your speedo and bring it in (that is, have a friend drive you or find another car). They jack up the price if they have ot remove your gauge cluster.
Good to hear you got a replacement. pretty generous of them if you axe me.
As for trying ot reinstall them, why don't you install them before you go to the speedo shop?
Bob
#12
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Good to hear Matt. Try installing them again, just don't cut any wires.
By the way, the wire you tapped into... the dimmer switch. What was the color? I want to do it but like I said, I do not have a multimeter. I just gotta trust someone with a 2001.
By the way, the wire you tapped into... the dimmer switch. What was the color? I want to do it but like I said, I do not have a multimeter. I just gotta trust someone with a 2001.
Last edited by Citykid; 03-08-2004 at 10:54 AM.
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Guys:
The wire on my dimmer I tapped into on my 2000 was the solid green wire. As far as re-cal your needles...it's noooo big deal. I've done it a few times. Save your $$$ and do it yourself. The easiest way I re-cal is to have the needle off and have a friend drive next to me at a set speed. We have our cell phones on(I use my hands free speaker phone)and discuss what speed he is at. Then I slip the needle on at that speed. Ta....da... Give it a try.
Paul
The wire on my dimmer I tapped into on my 2000 was the solid green wire. As far as re-cal your needles...it's noooo big deal. I've done it a few times. Save your $$$ and do it yourself. The easiest way I re-cal is to have the needle off and have a friend drive next to me at a set speed. We have our cell phones on(I use my hands free speaker phone)and discuss what speed he is at. Then I slip the needle on at that speed. Ta....da... Give it a try.
Paul
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Paul,
That's an interesting point. That's kinda the same thing that the service manager at Limbaugh Toyota told me today, only he said to remove the needle and reinstall it at zero with the panel removed from the car. How do I get the needle out?
Matt
That's an interesting point. That's kinda the same thing that the service manager at Limbaugh Toyota told me today, only he said to remove the needle and reinstall it at zero with the panel removed from the car. How do I get the needle out?
Matt
#15
are these the speedhut gauges that were part of the order that everyone was waiting so long for? i've contacted them a number of times about my pre-order, but haven't got any information.
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Yep...same order
Matt:
As far as pulling the needle off. I gently used a small screwdriver and eased it off. I put the tip of a small flathead screwdriver underneath one side and then pulled with my fingers on the base of the needle straight up. It didn't take a whole lot for it to come off. Once you've pulled the needle off, don't put it back on at "zero". It will be off. If you pull the needle stop off, you'll see that the needle will drop about a half an inch. It's suppost to do that. Then to put back on, try my way and see how that works for you.
Paul
Matt:
As far as pulling the needle off. I gently used a small screwdriver and eased it off. I put the tip of a small flathead screwdriver underneath one side and then pulled with my fingers on the base of the needle straight up. It didn't take a whole lot for it to come off. Once you've pulled the needle off, don't put it back on at "zero". It will be off. If you pull the needle stop off, you'll see that the needle will drop about a half an inch. It's suppost to do that. Then to put back on, try my way and see how that works for you.
Paul
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matt,
look in the yellow pages (internet or paper) for "speedometer" or "speedometer shop".
to get the needle off, its best to use a flat, angled tool that has a forked end. you can use a screwdriver too but you might want to use two---one on either side.
getting the speedo recalibrated like paul suggested sounds pretty tricky. paul, did you get yours perfect? if so, pretty damn amazing!
bob
look in the yellow pages (internet or paper) for "speedometer" or "speedometer shop".
to get the needle off, its best to use a flat, angled tool that has a forked end. you can use a screwdriver too but you might want to use two---one on either side.
getting the speedo recalibrated like paul suggested sounds pretty tricky. paul, did you get yours perfect? if so, pretty damn amazing!
bob
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Matt...I can't believe all the bad luck you're having...trust me, you'll be a pro in no time. Send your addy and I'll try and brighten your day a little...
Leave the walls alone...K?
Leave the walls alone...K?
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Originally Posted by broknlgs24
what the hell? i was pre-order #15 and i've yet to even be contacted.
I got e-mail from them on 16 Feb 04 advising me that my order was ready and that they would be charging my credit card in 1-2 days. I didn't reply to that message until yesterday and got an immediate, friendly reply customizing my order.
You can also call them at (801) 796-1460.
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