Odometer

Tiny
STEINER KURT D
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
This car has an instrument panel with a large speedometer on the far-left and a large fuel indicator is at the far-right. Smaller and mid-left is a temp gauge and smaller and mid-right is an oil gauge. The odometer is low on the cluster and centered between the speed and temperature dials.

The speedometer works, but I need to fix the stuck/not working odometer to pass inspection. I am assuming the speed sensor is okay, and it is the odometer gears that are defunct.

If so, I am assuming I will need to get into the cluster, but I cannot figure out how to crack it open. While I am waiting for a reply, I will start to unzip the trim from the bottom up, looks like seven mm. Will take off a few things, but it does not look promising. The tips/videos I have seen either showed screws near the instrument window, or else the dash had "end caps" to pop off. My car has neither of these access points.

Also note, the dash trim housing around the cluster has two multi-position switches a dimmer adjust on the left and a dome light adjust [check] on the right. There is a rectangular hole below/behind the right hand switch. I think it is a screw hole. If there was a screw in it, it is gone, but it does not seem to help loosen the housing. I was hoping there was a release tab up there, but I think it is false lead.

SO: first: What are the odds a speed sensor will fix the odometer if the speedometer is fine?
second: If I need to access the cluster, how the heck to I get in there lol!
third: If its the odometer gears, can you give me any idea where to find replacements for purchase? I seriously will hate to have to drop more then $20.00 or $30.00 to fix this.

Anything you can help me with or point me to will get me out of a crisis situation :-) But seriously I am not kidding.

(ps - not sure about 2.2L engine size, but four cylinder yes)
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 10:22 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
These are digital dashes not like the old one and yours will need to be rebuilt then programmed to your car for the mileage part. You can find places online that do it fairly quickly then a mechanic will need to reprogram it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
STEINER KURT D
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
No, not digital, I should have said. I have since tracked the problem to a worn out step-down gear inside the housing attached to the odometer motor. So I figured out how every goes together and how it works, etc.

Now I am just hoping I can grab one somewhere for less than $38.00. Right now I am calling cluster repair services and asking for part/repair options. But I am pretty hard on $20.00 tops for this fix. Any leads or links?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
No no leads.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 AT 3:29 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links