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View Full Version : DIY: Cluster Removal



Psykoasn
04-21-2008, 07:17 PM
Tool: all you need is a small Philips screw driver

First, if you have a removable steering wheel remove it, if not tilt your wheel all the way down


Start off by gently pulling the top part of the black cluster trim

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01772.jpg

Then work your way to the bottom corners

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01773.jpg

Now remove the 3 screws with the Philips screw driver, one at the top middle and 2 at the bottom sides

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01774.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01775.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01776.jpg

Now pull the whole cluster forward a little and tilt I forward

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01777.jpg

And remove the 2 male plugs at the top

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01781.jpg

And your done

Here is the back the bulbs

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/Psykoasn/DSC01780.jpg

Enjoy

thisisagame24
04-21-2008, 07:23 PM
nice right up mang

will be helpfull to any one that wants to get rid of the flashing green key light haha

shadowmd
04-21-2008, 07:25 PM
umm my damn center light in my cluster just went out..so after 6k and up to 50mph i can't see at night lol so now i gotta do this lol.....and another solution for those who have kpro and that flashy green light, you could also just pull the steering colum cover off and unplug the immob.

Psykoasn
04-21-2008, 07:26 PM
nice right up mang

will be helpfull to any one that wants to get rid of the flashing green key light haha

LOL,

also apparently there is no bulb for the SRS light

humpmasterflex
04-27-2008, 10:38 AM
umm my damn center light in my cluster just went out..so after 6k and up to 50mph i can't see at night lol so now i gotta do this lol.....and another solution for those who have kpro and that flashy green light, you could also just pull the steering colum cover off and unplug the immob.

I have the same problem... and so do 2 people that I know of, and What I usually do is smack the top of the cluster and it comes back on.

Now I don't have to smack it anymore it just lights up normally.

EPandaman29
04-27-2008, 08:06 PM
nice write up! i actually need to change a bulb maybe cuz half of my speedometer is not as bright

Anybody else have this problem???

jeenyusss
04-27-2008, 08:18 PM
oh sweet, goodbye green key:brick:

locoep3
04-27-2008, 10:09 PM
sweet hello new lights thanks easy

jdmrace1
04-27-2008, 11:14 PM
nice info

cHaRL!e
04-28-2008, 12:19 AM
LOL,

also apparently there is no bulb for the SRS light

the SRS light isn't a light that's easily replaceable like the ones he listed. it's actually soldered onto the board.. so if you want or need to replace it, you would have to take apart your cluster, desolder or cut the led, and solder a new led back on.

btw i believe cruise control is where you labeled "extra light"

az-epdrvr
04-28-2008, 12:41 AM
great fyi

RJEP
04-29-2008, 10:47 PM
I need to do this. I have a light bulb on the left corner that sometimes goes out. I have to smack my dash for it to go on.

Great DIY

Psykoasn
04-30-2008, 10:27 PM
the SRS light isn't a light that's easily replaceable like the ones he listed. it's actually soldered onto the board.. so if you want or need to replace it, you would have to take apart your cluster, desolder or cut the led, and solder a new led back on.

btw i believe cruise control is where you labeled "extra light"

i think your right on that one, i don't have cruse control any more so i couldn't think what it was for i will fix the label

PuMpKiN_Ep3
05-01-2008, 11:12 PM
nice... i'll go get the JDM Type R one... now.. :mwink:

xjuxtapozx
05-08-2008, 10:29 AM
time to upgrade to kilometers ;)

robhep3
05-15-2008, 07:46 PM
On a related note, does anyone have the different color rear illumination DIY? The one to make the orange backlighting blue or whatever?

Danman281
05-15-2008, 07:50 PM
nice write up! Now we can change it to red if we want lol

anyone have any pics of their dash mods?

72chevel
05-15-2008, 07:56 PM
great thanks I am going to take mine out tommorow!

cHaRL!e
05-16-2008, 12:14 AM
On a related note, does anyone have the different color rear illumination DIY? The one to make the orange backlighting blue or whatever?

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/7-honda-civic-diys-civic-tech-chat/118566-diy-led-gauge-swap.html

pics are not working

http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=102079

http://www.k-series.com/tech_detail.php?Tech_ID=EP_CON_LITE_SWAP

there it is, from the king of light

I did this last summer and ended up messing up my gas gauge so it doesnt move at all.. and my speedo is off by about 4 mph.. and my lights have hot spots. On the bright side my cel isnt lit up :mtongue:

If you plan on doing this, make sure you get lots of practice on soldering (if you're a noob) and an extra pair of hands always helps. Put everything back CAREFULLY!!

Luckily i have a ukdm cluster waiting to go in :mcool:

robhep3
05-17-2008, 06:27 AM
DUDE! Thanks, Charlie! :rockon:

rd02SiR
07-24-2008, 09:33 PM
Is there a bulb for the abs light?

Emjay
09-03-2008, 10:34 AM
I can't tell if you can get at anything other than the bulbs. My Odometer reset button doesn't work.

Does anyone know if I can get at the switch that the reset button pushes against? Or do I need to replace the cluster?

Psykoasn
09-03-2008, 09:48 PM
I can't tell if you can get at anything other than the bulbs. My Odometer reset button doesn't work.

Does anyone know if I can get at the switch that the reset button pushes against? Or do I need to replace the cluster?

You will most likely have to take the whole thing apart to get too it, you won't be able to get to it from the back

andre_ep3
06-27-2010, 06:52 PM
my ep came with a cheap ebay adjustable glow cluster and when i took it off i messed up my mph needle, now it doesnt even work, any way to fix this?

kingpuba
08-23-2010, 05:17 PM
which bulbs are those for the backlight?

are they all t5 bulbs? can they be replaced with LED resistor wedge bulbs?

kp

smykhaisouk
09-17-2010, 08:52 AM
thread bump. i also need to know the size of these bulbs because my fuel and temp lights on the instrument went out this morning. i searched forum and found this thread. thanks ephatch.commmmmm

username011
09-17-2010, 03:57 PM
just to let you guys know,

this thread is 2 years old.

kingpuba
09-20-2010, 08:30 AM
you can get t5 twist lock leds on ebay for about 50cents each...

the panel itself has orange fil which makes it orange and nail polish remover takes it off quite easily..or a high grit sand paper..which ever you prefer..

needles come off but need some force as stated in some of the links above...

best solution would be to buy bulb replacements and use the oem holders for the bulbs...ie buy leds that fit into the holders off ebay..they're dirt cheap...

kp

Passenger
09-20-2010, 08:36 AM
just to let you guys know,

this thread is 2 years old.
???

usedep3
09-21-2010, 08:43 AM
???

+1


just to let you guys know,

this thread is 2 years old.

who cares if it's 2 years old. i;d rather these people post up their questions here where it's relavent than the EP discussion forum that everyone seems to be posting in now a days

smykhaisouk
09-21-2010, 11:22 AM
thanks kingpuba. oh and thanks to username011 for being captain obvious. i search and found this thread and instead of starting a new one, i figured i'd at least have an answer posted here for the next guy.

until240
09-21-2010, 12:58 PM
FYI, bulbs are $5 each at the dealer.

kingpuba
09-22-2010, 07:44 AM
if you want cheap replacements....grab leds off ebay...i started by changing the bulbs...to ripping apart the cluster..to acetoning the needles and faceplate...

kp

falah
09-29-2010, 11:28 PM
i have found this link http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Finstrument.html
but i have no idea of which one will fit??

smykhaisouk
09-30-2010, 07:02 AM
i have found this link http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Finstrument.html
but i have no idea of which one will fit??

these are it:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&category=CAR&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F74_t15.htm
for those of you who just want regular bulbs at the parts store, they wont have #74 bulb but i tried the next size up#78 and it works fine. it has the same size base but the bulb itself is a little fatter. just be sure to wedge it in pretty tight. i paid 5 bucks for a pair which is the same price for leds on ebay. your preference!

LOVIN MY EP3
10-05-2010, 05:56 PM
My fuel and temp light went out so I replace it... took like 5min to do it

andre_ep3
10-07-2010, 05:13 PM
i took off my mph needle, and it was a bad decision cause now its off by 10 mph and i cant get it right!

BeaterEP
10-29-2010, 11:11 PM
Someone mentioned that the color on the instrument panel is actually built in, like it's a tint on the gauges themselves. So do we still need amber bulbs?
Sorry, dumbass question but like some of the old posts, my center console backlight just died last night, so it's replacement time :mbiggrin:

smykhaisouk
10-30-2010, 07:41 AM
yeah that tint shuold luminate amber light ergardless of what color bulb. are you wanting to remove the tint and change the bulb color?? i thought about it but im afraid imma mess up the white finish on the gauges.

BeaterEP
10-31-2010, 09:24 AM
Nah, wasn't really interested in changing colors for the same reason; I don't want to screw up the gauge cluster :mbiggrin:
I just wondered if the bulbs really needed to be amber, or if the white ones are what we need.
Guess I'll just pull the cluster and see what color everything is!

Anyone got tips on pulling that trim? Is it just a matter of pressure in the right spots, or is there some other trick to it? I don't wanna break anything else on my car LOL!

EDIT:
LOL nevermind, that took all of 15 seconds to get done. Pleasant surprise, considering how many clips I've broken on random plastic bits in this car before. At least Honda made one of these easy to remove.
So, why is the bit that car thieves want to pull off so easy to get to, and all the rest such a PITA? :mbiggrin:

BeaterEP
10-31-2010, 12:23 PM
UPDATE:
So, after running down to the auto parts store, here's what I know.
The power rating for the gauge backlight bulbs is 14V, 1.4W. Same as a 74 bulb.
The physical dimensions of a 74 bulb are too large for the sockets in the gauge cluster. Too wide around, a little too long, and the bead on the wedge end is too long/fat.
The physical dimensions that are needed for the gauge cluster bulbs match a 2721 bulb.
The power rating for a 2721 bulb is 12V, 1.2W.
Sylvania, nor anyone else that I can find, makes a 14V, 1.4W bulb that will physically fit in to the gauge cluster.
Basically, the only people that make a bulb that's the right size and power rating are Honda. Unfortunately, I can't find a part number to save my life. :mbiggrin:

So, I've got a 2721 bulb in the cluster right now, we'll see tonight if it makes a real difference.

BeaterEP
11-03-2010, 11:43 AM
So the 2721 bulb seems to work fine. Planning on just upgrading everything to LED when I get some loose change, but it's a decent quick fix. :thumbu:

quik6rr
04-24-2011, 08:49 AM
Hey, I have a quick question, does the bulb pull out from the little black plastic connector? I went to the parts store to buy new bulbs, but they don't have the plastic piece that holds the bulb into the back of the cluster, thanks!

Jmage
04-24-2011, 01:34 PM
It's funny this post is getting bumped today because I was removing my cluster this morning to see how to replace the bulb. But I failed hard because everything is closed today so no new bulb for me haha

But then I had a lil problem after reseating it in the dash, my cluster RPM needle didn't work anymore, it stayed at 0. So I removed it again and took the plastic cover off to access the needle to see whats up with it. I moved the RPM needle to 1k RPM and let it drop, it was dropping really slowly, then I did the same with the Speedo needle and it dropped alot faster than the RPM. So I pushed the RPM needle a lil bit and did the same trick and it then drop to 0 at the same speed as the Speedo needle. So just to be sure I pulled the RPM needle a lil bit and tried again and it was back to slow "drop" speed. So my fix was to just push the RPM needle a lil more into the cluster and now everything is back to normal! I'm glad I found this myself hehe

Just wanted to share

beatfiend
04-26-2011, 12:10 AM
So the 2721 bulb seems to work fine. Planning on just upgrading everything to LED when I get some loose change, but it's a decent quick fix. :thumbu:

pics please

Jmage
04-26-2011, 01:38 PM
I went to Honda and they tell me it's 8.95$ for each bulb and there is 10 in the cluster so that means 90$ of Bulbs... So I asked them the part number and left to see if I can get these cheaper online.

Honda Part#: 35505-SA5-003

crazykoreanep
04-27-2011, 12:33 AM
I went to Honda and they tell me it's 8.95$ for each bulb and there is 10 in the cluster so that means 90$ of Bulbs... So I asked them the part number and left to see if I can get these cheaper online.

Honda Part#: 35505-SA5-003

I usually buy parts from Majestic Honda http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=CIVIC&catcgry2=2005&catcgry3=3DR%20SI&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=METER%20COMPONENTS%20(NS)&vinsrch=null. I double check the cost from what you said and compare it to Majestic. Their selling them 2.98 ea. total $41.65 but thats not including the international pricing? I went to superbrightleds.com http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F74_t15.htm and bought 10 (T1.5-RHP) $2.79ea and shipped out for a total of $32.29.

Back of my cluster-oem bulb (left) and led bulb (right)
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/crazykoreancrx/Fun/th_IMAG1151.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/crazykoreancrx/Fun/?action=view&current=IMAG1151.jpg)

Installed
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/crazykoreancrx/Fun/th_IMAG1155.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/crazykoreancrx/Fun/?action=view&current=IMAG1155.jpg)





Hey, I have a quick question, does the bulb pull out from the little black plastic connector? I went to the parts store to buy new bulbs, but they don't have the plastic piece that holds the bulb into the back of the cluster, thanks!

I tried taking the bulb out which I couldn't so.... a couple mins later.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/crazykoreancrx/Fun/th_IMAG1159.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/crazykoreancrx/Fun/?action=view&current=IMAG1159.jpg)

Jmage
04-27-2011, 02:09 PM
I usually buy parts from Majestic Honda http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=CIVIC&catcgry2=2005&catcgry3=3DR%20SI&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=METER%20COMPONENTS%20(NS)&vinsrch=null.

Yeah, just ordered 10 bulb from this website = 42$ total + Custom UPS fees for me :(. Will see how much it will cost when it comes to my house lol

I dunno if it's your camera or not but I don't really like the lightning of your cluster it doesn't seems to be bright evenly.

groovezog
05-04-2011, 10:47 PM
Some people are wondering how to get the needles to line up properly after they have removed them. Here's how I did it:
1. Pull the cluster out completely
2. Remove the clear plastic cover from the front of the cluster, using your thumbs to release the tabs. Make sure not to touch or soil the inside of the clear cover, or you'll have a shit time trying to get it clean again.
3. Remove the needles by pulling evenly on the center of them, and gently using a flathead screwdriver as a pry. Make sure your fingers are clean, or you'll soil the white face of the bezel.
4. Put the cluster assembly back in, and plug in the wire harness clips.
5. Turn the key to the ON position, but don't start the car.
6. At this point, the speedometer, tachometer, and temperature-ometer (?) should read at the lowest notch (but not your fuel gauge); so line up the needles to the lowest notch, and gently push them on.
7. To line up your fuel gauge, turn the car off, and then press the needle on just below the lowest notch. OR...
7a. To more accurately line up your fuel gauge, go drive your car until you run out of fuel, and then line up the needle. OR...
7b. Go fill up your tank, and line the needle up to the highest notch.
8. Now push the clear cover back onto your gauge cluster until it snaps on all around the edges.
9. Tighten the mounting screws, and then push the trim piece back on.

Now, when you turn on your car (without starting the engine), only the fuel gauge should move. If your tach or speedo move, repeat the steps until it's right on.

This worked for me just now, so I hope it helps someone else.

Jmage
05-05-2011, 06:33 PM
I usually buy parts from Majestic Honda

OMG Just checked my email and they replied to me that they don't ship to Canada anymore because of stupid people that did shit to them (well they did not say it like that but anyway...) Now I must find another dealer to order my bulb and now my RPM bulb is burn. It's getting darker and darker in the EP3 at night lol



2. Remove the clear plastic cover from the front of the cluster, using your thumbs to release the tabs. Make sure not to touch or soil the inside of the clear cover, or you'll have a shit time trying to get it clean again.

And NOW you tell me this!! I had the "brilliant" idea of cleaning the interior of it and now I can't get it as clean as before for f*** sake! There is still a damn stain right above my RPM gauge now, poor me and esthetic :mcry: But thanks for the great info!

jay_si
02-18-2012, 05:15 PM
My backlight was all out except for the bulb lighting the gas and engine temperature, so I replaced all my backlight bulbs with LEDs. I was wondering if anyone knew why I still have some dim spots on my cluster?

jay_si
02-18-2012, 09:16 PM
oops.... found what i believe to be my problem:
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?67501-Cluster-lighting-problems-Please-help&highlight=cluster+is+dim

thank you EPhatch!

ep32424
02-20-2012, 07:08 PM
helpful DIY.

bluedemonep3
06-05-2012, 11:16 AM
Super easy tool me 5 mins. And most of that was trying to take out the bulb from its socket lol

Her-Name's-Ally
07-01-2012, 11:48 AM
my ep came with a cheap ebay adjustable glow cluster and when i took it off i messed up my mph needle, now it doesnt even work, any way to fix this?

try adjusting the needle as the car is on and idleing

ep32424
10-09-2012, 05:30 PM
great i might get the JDM TYPE R soon.

jaysNep3
10-18-2012, 10:08 AM
so im ganna remove it soon jus wondering . . . .

i want to make the light bright wat am i looking at ??

any modifications ?? or just different bulb ??

sorry for the dumb question .

Danielsle
10-18-2012, 01:23 PM
so im ganna remove it soon jus wondering . . . .

i want to make the light bright wat am i looking at ??

any modifications ?? or just different bulb ??

sorry for the dumb question .

Not sure I understand what you mean. You want to make the cluster brighter? Just turn the brightness knob. If not that, then replace the bulbs.

jaysNep3
10-20-2012, 11:55 AM
Not sure I understand what you mean. You want to make the cluster brighter? Just turn the brightness knob. If not that, then replace the bulbs.

well yeah i kno about the knob....but i think its not enough ....replace them with same new stock ones or different ones ???

jimmyjames
04-12-2014, 05:24 AM
Psykoasn, could we get the photos reposted on this?

StimulisRK
04-30-2014, 05:10 PM
Psykoasn, could we get the photos reposted on this?

same