Instrument cluster gauges do not work?

1989 HONDA PRELUDE
342,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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KNRG8995
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello, I just purchased the car listed above SI model and was told the speedometer quit working and then later down the road all of the gauges stopped working. I’m trying to figure out the best diagnostic route to take or if I should just buy the whole cluster. The gentlemen stated he took the cluster out when the speedometer quit working and some wires were short, but he didn’t mess with them. None of the gauges are currently working.
May 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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MECHTRIX
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 382 POSTS
I'd say give it a try. Yeah, it sounds like what the guy told you is probably the case. that the cluster has some bad wires plugs connections and such often times you can take it out and look to see if you can re attach them solder them patch them up and get it all back on again it won't hurt to try since its broken or not working already you can't break it right ?who knows you might bring it back to life sometimes they last many years after a repair of this kind and if you can't repair it then oh well you can always look for another one right? And no one can say you didn't try. i think it's worth a try. I wish you the best of luck.
May 5, 2025 at 11:27 PM
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STRAILER
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 54,176 POSTS
Yep I agree with MECHTRIX, unplug it and re-plug it to see if it comes back to life, if not the cluster will need to be replaced.
Sep 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM