EL cluster conversion question

24780 Views 158 Replies 23 Participants Last post by cary_t, 9 d ago

bboixtc

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2007

2

who here has done this conversion before without the dash harness? I am in the process of doing it now. However, before I put the pins inside the sockets, Does anyone know if I put in the wires Left to right with the plug like this:

or like this:

also, is there anyone with an AT tranny thats done this?

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121 - 140 of 159 Posts

the707ludedude

· #121 · Nov 7, 2007

infinity_racer said:
so what did you do about the mileage? theres pretty much no way to correct the mileage other than reprogramming it, right? i found the whole conversion in a junkyard but opted not to get it due to the wiring involved and mainly for the mileage problem. it sure looks sexy though

by the whole conversion you mean el harness, cluster and invertor? in a junkyard where itd be cheap to? and you didnt do this because why???

i almost think any explaination that you offer wont suffice.

infinity_racer

· #122 · Nov 8, 2007

the707ludedude said:
by the whole conversion you mean el harness, cluster and invertor? in a junkyard where itd be cheap to? and you didnt do this because why???

i almost think any explaination that you offer wont suffice.

yeah you're right, but there was no guarantee that the cluster worked...it had been sitting in the elements for quite sometime with a cracked windshield on the car and was exposed to god knows what...maybe i'll go back and get it when i go back there but like i said, the mileage thing is the only thing that really keeps me from even trying to do the conversion...unless theres an easy way to set the mileage

the707ludedude

· #123 · Nov 8, 2007

infinity_racer said:
yeah you're right, but there was no guarantee that the cluster worked...it had been sitting in the elements for quite sometime with a cracked windshield on the car and was exposed to god knows what...maybe i'll go back and get it when i go back there but like i said, the mileage thing is the only thing that really keeps me from even trying to do the conversion...unless theres an easy way to set the mileage

ive seen the thread that offers a way to adjust the mileage, but im not smart enough to understand how to do it myself.

go back to the junkyard, use the fact that the cluster may not work as your leverage in getting the stuff cheap, is what id do. or, just get the el harness and invertor. then you can find the cluster for $75 or so.

you plannin on sellin the car? why do you care about the mileage adjustent? shit, my cluster came with less miles than i had, so wooohoooo!!

infinity_racer

· #124 · Nov 8, 2007

the707ludedude said:
ive seen the thread that offers a way to adjust the mileage, but im not smart enough to understand how to do it myself.

go back to the junkyard, use the fact that the cluster may not work as your leverage in getting the stuff cheap, is what id do. or, just get the el harness and invertor. then you can find the cluster for $75 or so.

you plannin on sellin the car? why do you care about the mileage adjustent? shit, my cluster came with less miles than i had, so wooohoooo!!

eventually i am going to sell it as i get bored of my projects easily :|...but im also pretty anal about little stuff...and i too am waaaaayy too electronically ignorant to do understand how to change the mileage ahaha

Kyleb1115

· #125 · Nov 8, 2007

your best bet is to look around for one that has MORE miles that you currently have. then just get everything you need, research and get more confident on doing it. then when the time comes and your mileage is close...switch it. i have 185K now on my car and the cluster has 201. is my math is correct ill be at 200 by the spring. =]

again, does anyone have a broken el cluster that has a working speedo needle?

sean1121

· #126 · Nov 8, 2007

Kyleb1115 said:
again, does anyone have a broken el cluster that has a working speedo needle?

I have an extra parts cluster. How much is the needle worth to ya?

Kyleb1115

· #127 · Nov 8, 2007

not a whole lot. hahaha. i dunno. they are universal right? like the vtec will fit in a auto si cluster? i'm pretty sure.

how much would u ask for it??

i guess at this point the shipping would be the biggest factor..

i am torn tho, because the cluster i have no is not in super good shape. theres a broken mounting tab and stuff. but, its worth it to me to fix it up. the front lens is flawless.

is there supposed to be a rubber piece around the mode piece that keeps it from wobbling around???
if so i need that too =]

do you think u can remove and ship it without it getting broken? its pretty easy to take out. theres i think 2 or 3 screws on the backside.

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sean1121

· #128 · Nov 8, 2007

Kyleb1115 said:
not a whole lot. hahaha. i dunno. they are universal right? like the vtec will fit in a auto si cluster? i'm pretty sure.

how much would u ask for it??

i guess at this point the shipping would be the biggest factor..

i am torn tho, because the cluster i have no is not in super good shape. theres a broken mounting tab and stuff. but, its worth it to me to fix it up. the front lens is flawless.

is there supposed to be a rubber piece around the mode piece that keeps it from wobbling around???
if so i need that too =]

do you think u can remove and ship it without it getting broken? its pretty easy to take out. theres i think 2 or 3 screws on the backside.

I've got the cluster in pieces already, the hard part is shipping it without breaking it.

Rubber piece? Do you have a pic?

Kyleb1115

· #129 · Nov 8, 2007

if you look at the cluster you installed, you know where u switch between normal miles and trip 1 and 2? that little button thinger. is there some sort of rubber that goes around it to stabilize it from wobbling back and fourth???

I'm trying my best to explain. =]

and yeah the shipping. putting it in a small box would cost more, but its probably worth it. doesn't help you but i have tiny little boxes that would be perfect. but then again, you might be able to ship it another way. see if you can find out how much. I'm sure it wont be a whole lot for shipping. don't they usually go by weight? the shipping would probably effect the total price of it for me.

infinity_racer

· #130 · Nov 8, 2007

well i just got back from the junkyard and picked up the entire harness, cluster, inverter, and dimmer relay...got it all, including speaker cover, accord rear lip and mudflaps for 30 bucks

i'll be doing this project as soon as i have some free time

the707ludedude

· #131 · Nov 8, 2007

infinity_racer said:
well i just got back from the junkyard and picked up the entire harness, cluster, inverter, and dimmer relay...got it all, including speaker cover, accord rear lip and mudflaps for 30 bucks i'll be doing this project as soon as i have some free time

everything for 30 bucks??? awesome man if i remember correctly i paid 150 for just the cluster alone.... the swap took me 1 hour

the707ludedude

· #132 · Nov 8, 2007

Kyleb1115 said:
if you look at the cluster you installed, you know where u switch between normal miles and trip 1 and 2? that little button thinger. is there some sort of rubber that goes around it to stabilize it from wobbling back and fourth???

I'm trying my best to explain. =]

and yeah the shipping. putting it in a small box would cost more, but its probably worth it. doesn't help you but i have tiny little boxes that would be perfect. but then again, you might be able to ship it another way. see if you can find out how much. I'm sure it wont be a whole lot for shipping. don't they usually go by weight? the shipping would probably effect the total price of it for me.

shipping will be calculated by flat rate. a small box will be $8.95 no matter whats in it. weight only comes into play if it exceeds the flat rate weight limit.

sean1121

· #133 · Nov 8, 2007

the707ludedude said:
everything for 30 bucks??? awesome man if i remember correctly i paid 150 for just the cluster alone.... the swap took me 1 hour

$150 for just the cluster? Did you get the inverter to? I paid less than that for my 4ws EL cluster.

the707ludedude

· #134 · Nov 9, 2007

sean1121 said:
$150 for just the cluster? Did you get the inverter to? I paid less than that for my 4ws EL cluster.

yeah it was a vtec el cluster and came with the invertor and in perfect shape, not a broken tab not a scratch on the face, nothing. im one of those people who will pay top dollar for something in perfect condition. thats not to say i dont mind a finding a deal, but like always, you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to electronics.

put another way- im glad i didnt pay 100 and get a broken one

infinity_racer

· #135 · Nov 9, 2007 (Edited)

well i was supposed to go out to dave and busters but got lazy so i decided to test out the cluster...put the new EL dash harness in and plugged everything and grounded the black wire and the cluster works PERFECTLY :Rock:

my only 'complain' is that this cluster has 209K miles on it

theres another cluster at the junkyard but its an auto...i might go pick that up on sat and try to switch out the odometer (is that possible?)...but other then that, its the best 30 bucks i spent :turn:

thanks again to 'the707' for making me go back and get it haha

quick question though; when you turn the ignition on, are the needles supposed to light up first, then a short delay, then the rest of the cluster turns on? also, i noticed the needle was on the 1k mark (a little under) at idle...is that normal?

bboixtc

Discussion Starter · #136 · Nov 9, 2007

infinity_racer said:
my only 'complain' is that this cluster has 209K miles on it theres another cluster at the junkyard but its an auto...i might go pick that up on sat and try to switch out the odometer (is that possible?)...but other then that, its the best 30 bucks i spent :turn:

quick question though; when you turn the ignition on, are the needles supposed to light up first, then a short delay, then the rest of the cluster turns on? also, i noticed the needle was on the 1k mark (a little under) at idle...is that normal?

Its very easy to switch out the odometer. Just open the bottom part of the cluster. You don't even have to take it all apart.

Yeah thats how my cluster turns on. Not much of a delay though.
Idle is supposed to be 750+- depending on temperature and when you first start up. give it 5 minutes and see if the needle goes to the correct mark.

the707ludedude

· #137 · Nov 9, 2007

bboixtc said:
Its very easy to switch out the odometer. Just open the bottom part of the cluster. You don't even have to take it all apart.

Yeah thats how my cluster turns on. Not much of a delay though.
Idle is supposed to be 750+- depending on temperature and when you first start up. give it 5 minutes and see if the needle goes to the correct mark.

the reason that your idle looks like its a little high is that the tach needle is alot thicker than your old analog cluster... if you look close it has black on each side of the red...

point being, the needle is thicker and the number and number markings are larger. there is NO POSSIBLE WAY, unless i am COMPLETELY stupid, that swapping our your cluster could have any effect on your engines true idle speed (rpm)

please tell im not completely stupid (smartasses will be hanged)

the707ludedude

· #138 · Nov 9, 2007

infinity_racer said:
well i was supposed to go out to dave and busters but got lazy so i decided to test out the cluster...put the new EL dash harness in and plugged everything and grounded the black wire and the cluster works PERFECTLY :Rock:

my only 'complain' is that this cluster has 209K miles on it theres another cluster at the junkyard but its an auto...i might go pick that up on sat and try to switch out the odometer (is that possible?)...but other then that, its the best 30 bucks i spent :turn:

thanks again to 'the707' for making me go back and get it haha

quick question though; when you turn the ignition on, are the needles supposed to light up first, then a short delay, then the rest of the cluster turns on? also, i noticed the needle was on the 1k mark (a little under) at idle...is that normal?

youre welcome for the push... btw where in the hell do you live in that you have two 4th gen, 94-96 SE/Si/VTEC preludes at a junkyard??? i cant even find a 92 s in my area.

any chance if you shoot you a list of a few oem parts i need that you could go back to the junkyard and get them for me? ill pay dollars, of course :turn:

infinity_racer

· #139 · Nov 9, 2007 (Edited)

the707ludedude said:
youre welcome for the push... btw where in the hell do you live in that you have two 4th gen, 94-96 SE/Si/VTEC preludes at a junkyard??? i cant even find a 92 s in my area.

any chance if you shoot you a list of a few oem parts i need that you could go back to the junkyard and get them for me? ill pay dollars, of course :turn:

i live in No. VA but the junkyard I go to is in Maryland about 30 mins away from me and are strictly for Honda's and they have a section for Subarus (called Brandywine). They didnt have that many preludes but I was lucky enough to find the el cluster...the other one left is an auto cluster with full wiring and not sure if it still works or not b..ut i just want the odometer and hopefully it'll be less than 209K..

I MIGHT be going back tomorrow depending on how drunk I get tonight :tongue2: and if wake up early enough but shoot me a PM on parts you need and i'll look to see if they have it.

gotjnco

· #140 · Feb 21, 2009

For those that did the EL gauges conversion w/ 92-93 harness...

can you guys have your gauges and clock be as bright as the temp / gas gauges??

i'm running into the issue of when i turn my city / headlights on, both clock and speedo gauges dim while the temp / gas gauges are still bright... i want all 3 of them to have the same brightness, so what i do is dim my temp / gas gauges to have everything even... this sux... am i missing something? wiring perhaps? or bad dimmer switch or relay?

Well.. I have replaced the dimmer relay 3 times and its the same result...

Please advise...

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