my gf's fuel level gauge stopped working after i soldered purple leds into her gauge cluster. now he gauges look pretty sweet, but the fuel level won't go over 1/8 tank. sometimes it won't move at all. i may have put the needle back on too tightly, but i'm not sure.
has anyone had this problem? also, the needles are hard to see since the leds have such a small viewing angle. can anyone suggest a fix for this?
last, anyone have a broken cluster or just the motor from a cluster tyhey would be willing to sell me? my local yard doesn't have much for cars newer than 98.
tha nks in advance
I have the same thing happening with my temp gauge. I put aftermarket gauges in there and since then it sticks. When ever I get around to it, Im going to pull the needle off a little and see if that helps. If not, Im just gonna get a new cluster.
Sommer
dude you have to list your car in your profile, it will help us help you
but i actually have an extra cluster from a 00+ cav, i was workin with it to make a custom one, but i'd be willing to let it go, right now it has yellow needles and i started to paint the trim yellow, but i'm assuming you just want the fuel motor/setup
let me know whats up
also, check the sending unit, sometimes they go and thats why your not getting a right reading
sorry i thought i included the car in the post. it's an 02 cavalier. i don't care about what color anything is. i'd just be stealing a motor from it for the fuel gauge. i'd hate to ruin a good cluster. unless you are willing to let it go cheap. let me know.
oh and here's a pic of how the cluster looks now
first thing's first, though. i still need to take everything apart and see if pulling the needle out a bit helps
do that first then let me know
i thought you mentioned that they were purple? they do look blue, and where did you get the kit from, and how much?
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
they are purple. my camera phone just didn't take a good pic, that's all. no kit, i did it myself with purple l.e.d.s
those are the flat little LED's right? nothing too special? maybe a specific name? Radio shack? Give me some details please !!!!
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
no they are standard 5mm l.e.d.s. it would be tough to use surface-mount l.e.d.s becauseyou would have to also solre a resistor to them. the cluster illumination bulbs get as much as 12 volts. if you soldered the little surface mounts in they would just blow.
and if you are planning on doing this mod, you will need shorty 1/4 watt resistors. good luck finding them, too. i just happened to have them from a place i used to work. i'm currently looking for more, but having no luck. standard size 1/4 watt resistors and the height of a 5mm led would hit the back of the face of the cluster.
you might be able to use 3mm l.e.d.s and a normal 1/4 watt resistor, but i'm not sure.
the l.e.d.s themselves you can get any any electronics store
so they are the ones with the rounded off head?........ not the little rectangular looking ones, that are originally in there? did you keep the original LEDS on the board and they light up also, or it was a replacement
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
the cluster doesn't use l.e.d.s for illumination. it only uses those for warning lights, turn signals, etc. the cluster uses incandescent bulbs for illumination just like most other clusters
MY bad.......... oops..... i only remembered seeing the warning light LED's...
did you use anything special to remove the needles? i was afraid to start pulling them off, didn't want to break them........
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
i used a fork. but for all i know i bent the shaft for the fuel gauge and that's why it's not working now. just be very, very careful
dont remove the needle on the 00+ cluster. if you do, it will ruin the cluster.
how elese are you suposed to do it without remonig the needles?
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
Yahoo IM : buzz122 AIM : buzz122cav
hey liquidfire, the gas gauge doesn't work even after i loosened the needle. good news is she knows the parts guy at her dealer and they are covering it under warranty. they are even going to save me the work of putting the leds in the new cluster.
thanks for you offer, though
thats awesome, i have to call me dealership today for that a few other problems, hopefully i will have good luck too
