Interior: How To: Change Your Speedometer/Gauge Cluster
07-04-2010, 08:42 PM
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How To: Change Your Speedometer/Gauge Cluster
READ THIS FIRST - YEAR COMPATIBILITY INFORMATION
Tools Needed
Phillips head screwdriver - preferably a short one
Flat head screwdriver or small chisel
7mm socket
Socket ratchet/wrench with extensions
New speedometer/gauge cluster
This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on your tool handling skills.
1. Start by removing the lower dash panel. This is the big piece under the steering wheel and has the compartment for your coins and trunk release. It is attached with clips. Pull on it, it may seem like you will break it, but you won't. You can use a "How to remove your dash" guide if you need more help.
2. Remove the dash pieces on the left and right side of the steering wheel. It has the dimmer and fog light switch.
3. Move the steering wheel all the way down. There is a little lever that locks the position on the bottom left side on the steering wheel.
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4. Now under the dash pieces you removed is 1 bolt and 1 washer, star looking piece on each side. You need to remove the bolt. You also need to remove the washer piece by using the flathead screwdriver. Just wedge it out. This took the longest for me. You can cut it and break it if you want, it doesn't serve much of a purpose, I didn't put it back at the end.
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5. On the roof of the cluster dash piece (that's what i call it) are 2 screws. Remove these using your short phillips head screwdriver.
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6. Now the tricky part. Remove the cluster cover. This will require some tugging and bending and pushing. Be careful not to break it. Just try to remove it and you will figure out how to remove it.
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7. Now there are 4 bolts holding the speedometer in place. 2 on the top, 2 on the bottom. Using your ratchet and extensions, remove the bolts. Be careful not to drop them.
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8. Now pull the speedometer out a little. There is a wire connected in the back. Push down on the top of the connector to remove it. Once the wire is removed, pull the speedometer out. This also requires tricky hands.
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9. Put the new speedometer in and plug the wire in. IMPORTANT: Turn the car to the ON position and test all the lights and DIC features to make sure it all works.
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10. Once everything is working, put everything back.
11. Screw in the 4 bolts onto the speedometer.
12. Put the cluster dash piece back in.
13. Put 2 screws on the roof of the cluster dash piece.
14. Put the 2 bolts on the left/right under the dash piece. OPTIONAL: You can put the star washer things back if you want.
15. Put all the dash pieces back.
You are done!
- If you get the same year speedometer as your car, it will work 100%
- 05-06 work with 05-06 and everything will work fine
- 05-06 will partly work with 07+, you will only see the mileage and temperature, you lose all other DIC features
- 07 will work on 08+, everything will work except the TPMS light (TMPS still works though)
- 08-10 work with 08-10, everything will work
- The speed will recalibrate and will show the correct information if changing from 120mph to 140/160 cluster
- You can buy speedometers on ebay for $60-110 shipped
- LS/LT/SS/Sport doesn't matter. Coupe/Sedan doesn't matter.
Tools Needed
Phillips head screwdriver - preferably a short one
Flat head screwdriver or small chisel
7mm socket
Socket ratchet/wrench with extensions
New speedometer/gauge cluster
This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on your tool handling skills.
1. Start by removing the lower dash panel. This is the big piece under the steering wheel and has the compartment for your coins and trunk release. It is attached with clips. Pull on it, it may seem like you will break it, but you won't. You can use a "How to remove your dash" guide if you need more help.
2. Remove the dash pieces on the left and right side of the steering wheel. It has the dimmer and fog light switch.
3. Move the steering wheel all the way down. There is a little lever that locks the position on the bottom left side on the steering wheel.
--------------
4. Now under the dash pieces you removed is 1 bolt and 1 washer, star looking piece on each side. You need to remove the bolt. You also need to remove the washer piece by using the flathead screwdriver. Just wedge it out. This took the longest for me. You can cut it and break it if you want, it doesn't serve much of a purpose, I didn't put it back at the end.
--------------
5. On the roof of the cluster dash piece (that's what i call it) are 2 screws. Remove these using your short phillips head screwdriver.
--------------
6. Now the tricky part. Remove the cluster cover. This will require some tugging and bending and pushing. Be careful not to break it. Just try to remove it and you will figure out how to remove it.
--------------
7. Now there are 4 bolts holding the speedometer in place. 2 on the top, 2 on the bottom. Using your ratchet and extensions, remove the bolts. Be careful not to drop them.
--------------
8. Now pull the speedometer out a little. There is a wire connected in the back. Push down on the top of the connector to remove it. Once the wire is removed, pull the speedometer out. This also requires tricky hands.
--------------
9. Put the new speedometer in and plug the wire in. IMPORTANT: Turn the car to the ON position and test all the lights and DIC features to make sure it all works.
--------------
10. Once everything is working, put everything back.
11. Screw in the 4 bolts onto the speedometer.
12. Put the cluster dash piece back in.
13. Put 2 screws on the roof of the cluster dash piece.
14. Put the 2 bolts on the left/right under the dash piece. OPTIONAL: You can put the star washer things back if you want.
15. Put all the dash pieces back.
You are done!
Last edited by Icydub; 08-04-2010 at 11:16 PM.
07-13-2010, 10:39 PM
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Edit for future readers: Schramautoparts has a lot of speedometers
Last edited by Icydub; 07-14-2010 at 03:20 AM.
08-04-2010, 10:15 PM
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08-12-2010, 05:36 PM
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just installed the new speedo but its stuck on my coolant temp which was the last thing i was looking at and it makes the worst turn signal noise know to man! when i open the door it says its open and things like that turning the car off didnt fix. Looks sexy cant wait to her at night had to change the color setting on the pionner too
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Last edited by boostedsport; 08-12-2010 at 05:36 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
08-13-2010, 07:37 PM
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just installed the new speedo but its stuck on my coolant temp which was the last thing i was looking at and it makes the worst turn signal noise know to man! when i open the door it says its open and things like that turning the car off didnt fix. Looks sexy cant wait to her at night had to change the color setting on the pionner too
Bump
Bump
02-17-2011, 09:04 PM
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just used this how-to to install my set...I finished in the amount of time it takes to listen to fade to black from metallica lol...anyways don't know if its any help to the OP but the gauge cluster is actually just the right size to slip right through the steering wheel making that part a lot easier than trying to contort it haha. THANKS AGAIN
03-05-2011, 10:54 PM
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03-20-2011, 12:41 AM
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SS/NA will only go up to 140mph
LS and LT (I believe) only up to 120mph
03-21-2011, 09:44 PM
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I had an interesting situation. I just picked up a SS/NA cluster from ebay for $26 shipped. I didn't know the model year (not stated in auction)...anyway, go to install it figuring it either works or doesn't. Well I turn the car to "ON" and it starts the DIC just fine, but wouldn't change menus so I figured OK, it's 05 or 06. No big deal...go to start the car and guess what...it shuts everything down and locks the key in the ignition. It must be a security thing? I've never read anyone having this problem though. I looked up the part number and the cluster I got is from an 05 SS/NA. I'm disappointed, I wanted it...will have to find an 07 cluster and try again. However, I'm leery of it doing this again to me. I waited and was able to turn the car back on after about 15 minutes (after re-installing the original cluster).
Has anyone else had this problem?
Great write up though because it's very easy to do and as you stated, it's only a couple minor things that take longer (the metal clips and getting the cluster cover out for me).
Went back and re-installed the 05 SS/NA cluster and now the car works fine with it. Of course I can't change the DIC info, but oh well. Ordered an 07 SS/SC cluster this time instead from ebay...I think I like the looks of that one more plus the 160MPH max looks good even though my car probably won't do much more than 120 or so...
Has anyone else had this problem?
Great write up though because it's very easy to do and as you stated, it's only a couple minor things that take longer (the metal clips and getting the cluster cover out for me).
Went back and re-installed the 05 SS/NA cluster and now the car works fine with it. Of course I can't change the DIC info, but oh well. Ordered an 07 SS/SC cluster this time instead from ebay...I think I like the looks of that one more plus the 160MPH max looks good even though my car probably won't do much more than 120 or so...
Last edited by 007CobaltLS; 03-22-2011 at 06:05 PM.
03-22-2011, 12:33 AM
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03-22-2011, 08:35 AM
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03-22-2011, 11:53 PM
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Yes they make these for KM and I believe these where in all SS's but not sure. Here's a ebay link Chevy Cobalt Speedometer Cluster Speedo KPH Gas - eBay (item 330410465616 end time Mar-28-11 10:21:35 PDT)
and wont work in 06