Has anyone ever swapped out their guage cluster?

[chris22104]

Hi!
My trip A & B meters do not work on my 2000 5-speed. I since bought a used (but in good working order) guage cluster out of another 2000 5-speed with 24k miles on it. I've been told the new cluster may or may not relect the actual mileage of the car. Has anyone done this and knows for sure? I've also been told it may need to be re-programmed by the dealer. Again, anyone know if this is correct? Thanks!

[b1shmu63]

The new guage will show the correct mileage on the car and maintain your lifetime MPG. Otherwise it would be the equivalent of turning back the odometer on a used car.

[chris22104]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear; original mileage reflected (I believe it's stored in the computer,) and no cash (and time) outlay to have a dealer reprogram it. Just a simple swap, correct?
Thanks!
Chris

[joecvt]

Originally Posted by b1shmu63

The new guage will show the correct mileage on the car and maintain your lifetime MPG. Otherwise it would be the equivalent of turning back the odometer on a used car.

I'm not so sure about that....I thought I remember awhile back reading that the mileage is stored on a chip in the cluster and that it would be like swapping the speedometer from an older car. If there is not a way to have Honda program the correct mileage (more than likely a tool that only Honda would have - if it is possible), then you would have to claim the correct mileage in any paperwork required for your state or when or if you sell the car. I don't think the mileage is stored in the ECM since there has been so many ECM replacements without a different total mileage reported afterwards. Plus, all of the old laws would be if the odometer was changed (not the ECM) so it would be much simpler to be in conformance with current laws to store the mileage on the cluster (odometer)....

Perhaps another approach may be to take apart your current cluster to see if the buttons / contacts can be cleaned / fixed...You may be able to solder wires to a new remote switch if you need to.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

[ibjeff]

I agree with joecvt. Check with your Honda Service dealer first. When we had a problem with my wife's chevy Avalanche's guage pod. The dealer replaced the whole thing. The odometer still read the same and I was told that this was because the information was actually stored in the truck's computer. Saying that, we did not have an issue of a mileage discrepancy. I am not sure if the Insight's is stored in the cluster or computer. I would ask and be "safe than sorry"

[chris22104]

Well, we'll find out soon either way; I've already bought and paid for the other cluster. I'll post back with the results after it arrives and I install it! The button is not the problem. It works just fine when you hold it in to reset the segment mileage, so it's not the button or corrosion or the wiring.

[ibjeff]

Originally Posted by chris22104

Well, we'll find out soon either way; I've already bought and paid for the other cluster. I'll post back with the results after it arrives and I install it! The button is not the problem. It works just fine when you hold it in to reset the segment mileage, so it's not the button or corrosion or the wiring.

Keep us posted. I'll be interested in your results...

[joecvt]

If the button works for some functions, it should work for others unless they are in hidden mode still. You would think the controller for this device would not be selective as to what to fail...It should all work or none at all unless they are still configured for hidden mode. I gut feeling is that there is nothing functionally wrong with the cluster and that you just have to try the sequence of events again to reset it back to normal.

Here is a picture of someone that placed some of the info on the odometer screen in hidden mode:
http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/e7/b5/f95b_12.JPG
(I don't know why anyone would want to do that on an Insight )

Try this with the car in neutral (if running - ignition on) :

The FCD display has a <=======> symbol displayed to indicate a seqment.
If in that mode get out of that mode by pressing the FCD button quickly then:

Use the FCD button to get you to the odometer reading (and lifetime display). Press the trip button down once and release quickly (this should be trip a).
Press and hold the FCD button for a little over 3 seconds

This should reset trip A info and should look like this afterwards:
http://www.solarvan.co.uk/insight/109mpg.jpg

Do the same steps for trip b and the odometer (if needed)

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

[chris22104]

Tried it all, for over a half hour! It is definitely messed up. No trip a or b no matter what! See my initial post regarding trip a and b not working (troubleshooting catagory.) I'll let you guys know how it works out with the cluster swap.
Chris

[freezin4]

Chris,

Did you ever figure out if the odometer info is stored in the ECU or the gauge cluster?

Thanks!