Noooo!

Tips, tricks, and recommendations for keeping your vehicle looking new
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ColonelPanic
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Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 8:48 am
Location: South Central Indiana

Noooo!

Post by ColonelPanic »

I noticed a couple of odd things about my gauges the other day... For starters, a tiny spec of something or other landed on the inside of the gauges. So I have a black dot laying smack on top of the LCD for the odometer/temp display. That, I could deal with - nothing too noticeable (you really have to be looking for it to see the litle speck.)But worse, it now appears that dust bunnies have decided to take up residence in the speedo! Not sure if it's dust, lint, or whatever, but now theres's crap down at the very bottom of the speed on the inside, around the 0 MPH mark. Now, THAT is noticeable! And has been bugging the heck out of me since I discovered it.I'm probably stuck with this stuff, no? Impossible to get the cluster's lens of w/o breaking it, right? I'd really like to find a way to remove it and do some cleaning. Of course, knowing my luck, there will be much more crap sucked in when I tried to "clean" the other stuff out, that if I end up finding a way to take the cluster's lens off, I'll probabyl be in worse shape then than I am now. lol
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

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'21 Elantra Limited - 2.0L/IVT
'15 Escape SE - 1.6L EcoBoost (hers)
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ragingfish
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Re: Noooo! (ColonelPanic)

Post by ragingfish »

It's actually relatively easy to remove the gauges...Pull off the trim rings...Feel towards the bottom. There are two clips you have to push down on near each end of the cluster that release it.When you release the gauges, pull them out a bit, and disconnect the master wire harness.Pull the gauges out, and you'll see how the plastic cover snaps on to the cluster...Just reverse to reinstall...
YES!I still visit GenVibe periodically. I have not forgotten about my "original" family over here!

2009 PONTIAC G8
3.6L V6 (256 HP @ 6300 rpm, 248 ft-lbs. @ 2100 rpm)
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ColonelPanic
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Location: South Central Indiana

Re: Noooo! (ragingfish)

Post by ColonelPanic »

I was afraid I would end up breaking the plastic. If it gets to the point where it really, really bugs me, I may pop out that cluster and give it a shot...
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

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'21 Elantra Limited - 2.0L/IVT
'15 Escape SE - 1.6L EcoBoost (hers)
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Mase
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Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 6:21 am

Re: Noooo! (ColonelPanic)

Post by Mase »

Yes, it is very easy to remove the gauges. Just be careful not to scratch them while you're pulling them outta the dash. It takes some maneuvering to get them out from behind the wheel. Also, DON'T WIPE IT! The gauges scratch very easily. Just blow it out with some air.
PhillyVibeGT
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Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:12 am

Re: Noooo! (Mase)

Post by PhillyVibeGT »

I was thinking maybe you could clean it with some canned air, you know, like for computers. Just use the straw attachment and see if you can get to it like that.
04 GT Satellite Monotone17'' Fittipaldi Fins on Falkin Azenis ST115'sMoon and Tunes/Sirius Satallite RadioInjen CAI/Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust GM Top Spoiler/Debaged SilverStar Fogs "I wasn’t born rich, I’m good looking instead"
damronjr
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Re: Noooo! (Mase)

Post by damronjr »

Quote, originally posted by Mase »Yes, it is very easy to remove the gauges. Just be careful not to scratch them while you're pulling them outta the dash. It takes some maneuvering to get them out from behind the wheel. Also, DON'T WIPE IT! The gauges scratch very easily. Just blow it out with some air.Found that out the hard way! One of mine is all swirled up now thanks to just trying to clean it with a napkin.
Jason Damron, San Diego, CA, Supercharged 2004 Vibe base - Gone to the wind My Vibe pics on Cardomain2009 Chevrolet HHR SS!
Stang2Vibe
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Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2002 3:37 am

Re: Noooo! (ColonelPanic)

Post by Stang2Vibe »

I have to agree with the others here and say from personal experience that the gauges are quite easy to remove for cleaning. Like they said, just be careful not to scratch them and getting them out around the steering wheel can take a bit of manipulation.
Former owner of a 2003 Vibe GT---Great car that gave me 8 years and 83,000 miles of trouble-free service.Current owner of a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD.
Altus
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Joined: Fri May 02, 2003 12:07 pm

Re: Noooo! (Stang2Vibe)

Post by Altus »

Well here's a thought for those of us who learned the hard way that the guage covers scratch easily.... has anyone tried polishing the plastic smooth again?I might have to give that a shot once it warms up again... use the buffer with a soft cotton wheel and some plastic polish.
2003 Shadow Vibe -- Alloys, Auto, and Allota fun!Vibe #4,873Sadly, traded-in for a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
Mase
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Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2004 6:21 am

Re: Noooo! (Altus)

Post by Mase »

Quote, originally posted by Altus »Well here's a thought for those of us who learned the hard way that the guage covers scratch easily.... has anyone tried polishing the plastic smooth again?Tried it and failed miserably. I used a CD scratch remover kit...it ironically scratched it up even more and left cloudy blotches all over.
zionzr2
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Location: Austin, TX

Re: Noooo! (Altus)

Post by zionzr2 »

Might even try that "AS-SEEN-ON-TV" scratch remover stuff for glasses... if that stuff actually works
roddney1
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Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:13 am

Re: Noooo! (ColonelPanic)

Post by roddney1 »

I was wondering, are the trim rings Ragin Fish is talking about, the chrome rings around the gauges? Are the clips under the rings?
PONYAK TWO2004 Fusion Orange VibeMoon & Tunes, Autotrans, Power Package, Protection Package, Polished Steel Exhaust, Aluminum Wheels, Bumper Protector. ABS.Mods... Hella Horns, installed rear cargo carpeting.
Mr. Poopypants
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Re: Noooo! (zionzr2)

Post by Mr. Poopypants »

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »Might even try that "AS-SEEN-ON-TV" scratch remover stuff for glasses... if that stuff actually worksRagingfish used some stuff on Kari's at the Ohio meet last year and it worked well. Mike, what was that stuff?
A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.
GMJAP
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Re: Noooo! (damronjr)

Post by GMJAP »

Quote, originally posted by damronjr »Found that out the hard way! One of mine is all swirled up now thanks to just trying to clean it with a napkin. Glad to know I'm in good company. Tried glass cleaner wipes on them....
2005 Platinum Base ManualSide & Curtain AirbagsABSPower PackageTinted Windows"Mods": 'old-style' center armrest, center +12v, wheelskins leather steering wheel, AC/Recirc blue backlight, beeps on keyless entry, dome light switch, AC insulation, PCD10 10-disc CD/MP3 changer, AAI-GM12 AUX audio input, K&N filter, "shark fin" antenna.
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