How to fix your speedo needle when it does not work
04-15-07, 06:28 PM
#31
Great news guys, it works perfect!!! I just put it back into the car, and started it several times to test the RPM needle, and test drove it around, making about 10 stops. The RPM needle jumps right up, but the speedo needle scared me at first - initially it looked like it didnt move, but then I realized that the way I installed the pin, the speedo needle is already at 5MPH, so unless you are going faster then 5MPH, it doesn't move, but once you're going 5mph and up, it moves smoothly, no jumpiness. If any of you guys are going to proceed with the mod, make sure you set the pins a little lower than I did (look at where I drilled my hole, and drill yours a hair lower, this way you will get speed reading before 5MPH.
As far as the looks, the pins are barely noticeable, and if they were black they would be even better. Overall, it took me a little more than an hour, and it defenately beats slamming on the dashboard every time the needles freeze.
As far as the looks, the pins are barely noticeable, and if they were black they would be even better. Overall, it took me a little more than an hour, and it defenately beats slamming on the dashboard every time the needles freeze.
05-17-07, 08:12 PM
#32
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I have the same issue, tapping the dash fixes it or drive a couple of miles after I first start it and all is good. I am glad I found this post, when the tapping no longer works, I will get the sensor.
05-18-07, 05:17 PM
#33
You know how I put these paper pins into my cluster to keep the needles from sticking? Well, guess what, today I was driving my other Lexus, the 01 GS430, and I noticed that it's cluster has pins installed under every needle, by Lexus. Of course, they aren't paper pins, and they look cleaner, but the fact that they are there can only have one logical explanation - Lexus couldn't do anything themselves about the sticking needless so they resorted to the use of pins on the newer models. I wonder if any other newer Lexus models have pins in their cluster. My old GS300 didn't have sticky needles, but the needless were burning out, and so was backlighting. I don't remember whether it had any pins or not.
In any case, I'm attaching a picture of a GS430 cluster with these pins. This isn't a picture of the cluster in my GS, it just a picture I found on ebay.
In any case, I'm attaching a picture of a GS430 cluster with these pins. This isn't a picture of the cluster in my GS, it just a picture I found on ebay.
Last edited by Och; 12-29-09 at 08:47 PM.
06-24-07, 11:48 AM
#34
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Either way, if you can't do this your self than there is a guy out of Canada that will do it for about 180 including shipping: http://www.mrwhizard.com/
To all owners of 1993/94 Lexus LS400:
Regarding Sluggish/Slow to move Speedometer and Tach needles (don't move for 20 minutes or only move with a bang on top of the dash). After extensive testing and evaluation (over 100 hours) we have come to the conclusion that the speedo and/or tach motor mechanisms are sticking due to the internal lubricant becoming very viscous with a combination of time and weather conditions. At present the only way we feel to repair this is to change the actual gauge movements. However this is very expensive ($1000 + for both gauges).
Regarding Sluggish/Slow to move Speedometer and Tach needles (don't move for 20 minutes or only move with a bang on top of the dash). After extensive testing and evaluation (over 100 hours) we have come to the conclusion that the speedo and/or tach motor mechanisms are sticking due to the internal lubricant becoming very viscous with a combination of time and weather conditions. At present the only way we feel to repair this is to change the actual gauge movements. However this is very expensive ($1000 + for both gauges).
07-17-07, 02:48 PM
#36
Och, when you did your pin insertion fix to stop the needles from hanging up, did you consider inserting the pins from the rear so that the head of the push pin was not visible? The metal part of the pin should be able to stop the needle from falling to zero.
I have not had my cluster apart, so it may be that the black display panel cannot be separated to get at its rear part.
I think you have found a good fix for the problem. Obviously, preventing the needles from falling to the zero position where they sit when the car is turned off solves the problem. This correlates with the above post which mentions the "viscous" lubricant as being the culprit. It appears that the passage of time and high temperatures turn the lubricant into glue.
I have not had my cluster apart, so it may be that the black display panel cannot be separated to get at its rear part.
I think you have found a good fix for the problem. Obviously, preventing the needles from falling to the zero position where they sit when the car is turned off solves the problem. This correlates with the above post which mentions the "viscous" lubricant as being the culprit. It appears that the passage of time and high temperatures turn the lubricant into glue.
07-17-07, 10:56 PM
#37
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I just recently resolved my needle problem, no longer tap or hitting on the dash anymore. It took me a year to realize that my speed needle works fine when it's cold but not in warm weather (rain and moist). A month ago, I took the Speedometer apart and spray some W40D behind the needle. Now, it seems to work fine either cold or warm weather.
You guys should try the same thing as I did may be it would help also.
You guys should try the same thing as I did may be it would help also.
07-18-07, 03:40 AM
#38
Och, when you did your pin insertion fix to stop the needles from hanging up, did you consider inserting the pins from the rear so that the head of the push pin was not visible? The metal part of the pin should be able to stop the needle from falling to zero.
I have not had my cluster apart, so it may be that the black display panel cannot be separated to get at its rear part.
I think you have found a good fix for the problem. Obviously, preventing the needles from falling to the zero position where they sit when the car is turned off solves the problem. This correlates with the above post which mentions the "viscous" lubricant as being the culprit. It appears that the passage of time and high temperatures turn the lubricant into glue.
I have not had my cluster apart, so it may be that the black display panel cannot be separated to get at its rear part.
I think you have found a good fix for the problem. Obviously, preventing the needles from falling to the zero position where they sit when the car is turned off solves the problem. This correlates with the above post which mentions the "viscous" lubricant as being the culprit. It appears that the passage of time and high temperatures turn the lubricant into glue.
07-19-07, 06:04 AM
#39
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Hello,
I also have the sticking needle problem for the rpm. I#m wondering that the needle also stucks at 200 400 600 etc. rpms when the car is cold!
I also notice that under full throttle the rpm sometimes only shows something around 5400 rpms! The tach needle starts jumping too at very high speeds above 240km/h.
Chris
I also have the sticking needle problem for the rpm. I#m wondering that the needle also stucks at 200 400 600 etc. rpms when the car is cold!
I also notice that under full throttle the rpm sometimes only shows something around 5400 rpms! The tach needle starts jumping too at very high speeds above 240km/h.
Chris
07-19-07, 05:34 PM
#40
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I realize this is the LS400 forum. But heres a thread to a and fix for a similar problem on Supras and SC's. That may or may not help you guys.
http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=433076
http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=433076
07-19-07, 08:01 PM
#41
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There is a crack round plastic disk inside the unit holding the speedometer spring in position or moved. This situation happens same to tacometer. Tapping the dash board will jerk the spring holding the needle to jump. Eventually, you have to repalce it because it is pain in the behind. I have replaced both of these units. Each of these is going to cost you about $250 from the dealer.
08-05-07, 07:02 AM
#43
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Fixing the sticky Speedo with W40 lubricant
It's no luck with me.
I am in the car business, lately I've just tried to spray W40 to the Tach and Speedo needles when I already have them apart, but the problem is still there. I just want to let the community knows of my expericence.
I am in the car business, lately I've just tried to spray W40 to the Tach and Speedo needles when I already have them apart, but the problem is still there. I just want to let the community knows of my expericence.
08-23-07, 07:12 PM
#44
For those who are having the sticking speedometer and odometer needles on their 93-94 LS models, check out the Mr Whizard website (www.mrwhizard.com). They indicate that they now have a fix for this problem. The cost is $189.00.
08-24-07, 08:01 AM
#45
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For those who are having the sticking speedometer and odometer needles on their 93-94 LS models, check out the Mr Whizard website (www.mrwhizard.com). They indicate that they now have a fix for this problem. The cost is $189.00.
