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Fading Speedometer Fix 94-95 Impala SS & 94-96 Caprice Classic
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Pictures And Text Courtesy of Howie Hoffman
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*Special thanks to David Lovely & Ken Alpern for finding this fix for a very annoying problem. |
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This is only a reference, I take no responsibility for this procedure. Just a guide for a fix. Use at your own risk, but it worked for me. |
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This can be done in the car with just a little time and patience. If you want to do it out of the car then you will have to drop the column to get it out. |
| 1. Set the Parking Brake FIRMLY. Turn the Ignition switch to the OFF position to unlock the steering wheel and place the gear selector in the 1st gear position. |
| 2. To remove the Black trim bezel around the cluster: First remove the (2) 7MM screws that go through the top of the trim bezel. There are also 2 strong spring clips on the bottom rear of the trim piece. Firmly pull the bottom of the trim bezel towards the steering wheel to release them. Place the trim bezel out of the way. |
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CLUSTER WITH BLACK TRIM BEZEL REMOVED
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3. Now you will see (8) Silver T10 Torx screws that secure the clear plastic lens, the Black face plate, and a Black trim piece on the front of the cluster housing. Remove the (8) screws and the other 3 items mentioned and place them aside. Move the assembly containing the Green speedometer lens and the shift indicator over to the right side of the cluster. NOTE: Be careful to not stretch the shift indicator string! |
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CLUSTER WITH SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY EXPOSED
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| 4. Now you will see the speedometer display in the middle of the cluster. The only thing holding the display in place are the (4) RED Torx screws. Remove the screws while holding the display in place and then place the screws and display aside. |
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5. Turn the speedometer display over and note the 2 rows of (11) soldered dots, one row on the top and one on the bottom. Clean the soldered dots with contact cleaner or alcohol. |
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BACK SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY
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| 5. In the center of the cluster, note the 2 Black towers with (11) spring loaded tabs in each, one at the top and one at the bottom. Clean the spring loaded tabs with contact cleaner or alcohol. |
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BLACK TOWERS WITH SPRING LOADED TABS
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| 6. Many owners have found spring loaded tabs stuck down in the tower. Use a jeweler's screwdriver to GENTLY pry the tabs up into the normal position. Then, being EXTREMELY CAREFUL, pry all (22) of the tabs up a SLIGHT bit to improve tension when they contact the soldered dots on the back of the speedometer display. |
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ADJUSTING SPRING LOADED TABS
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| The worst is over. Now it's time to put the cluster back together. |
| 7. Hold the speedometer display in place and replace the (4) RED Torx screws. |
| 8. Place the speedometer lens/shifter indicator back on its mounting posts. |
| 9. Replace the Black trim piece, Black face plate, and the clear plastic lens, in that order, making sure that all (4) gauge needles are not broken, that they can be seen, and that NONE are hidden from view. A hidden gauge needle will result in it being damaged. |
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GAUGE NEEDLES IN VIEW
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| 10. Partially replace a couple of the Silver Torx screws and turn the ignition switch to ON to check gauge needle operation. If everything looks normal, finish installing all (8) of the Silver Torx screws. |
| 11. Replace the Black trim bezel by snapping the bottom into place and installing the (2) 7MM screws that go through the top of the trim bezel. |
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NOW YOUR SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY WILL BE NICE AND BRIGHT!
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This procedure sounds a lot harder then it really is. Once you get into it it's not that bad. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, let a friend that has taken a dash apart before help you. You just have to go slow and not be in a hurry. The whole thing should take about an hour, maybe less. If you are not clear with any of the steps above, let me know and I'll try to clarify it a bit more for you. |
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Good Luck,
Howie Hoffman
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