1996 Dodge Stratus Speedometer Stuck

TOMMYSR1

MEMBER
1996 DODGE STRATUS

Interior problem
1996 Dodge Stratus 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Yesterday I was getting gas, turned off the car but then turned the key to listen to the radio. As I did this the tac and speedometer arms went all the way around to the other side of the plastic pin that holds them at zero.
Now I have no speedometer (the tac I could care less about as it is automatic) because it is fighting against the pin to rise up as I accellerate.

Any suggestions? I was going to drill a hole in the dash where the pin is, bend or break the pin, move the arm and replace the pin. I will be the last owner of the vehicle so resale is not a worry.

1 Reply

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

You can if you don't care how the dash looks afterward.

What you do is remove the driver side dash out to gain access to the gauge cluster. There are 7 bolts that you need to take out using a short Phillip-head screw driver. 4 on the lower dash, and 3 on the top close to the gauge cluster. Then it just snapped out. The cluster then is held by 4 (if I remember correctly) screws. Once the screws are out, you unplugged the two wire harnesses from the back of the cluster. Once the cluster is out of the vehicle, you can pry the plastic cover, pop the needles back into place.

Installation is reversed.