2003instrument cluster

[alk21633]

I own a 2003 Vibe and at night or a very overcast day, I am pleased with my instrument display, however on a bright day, especially sunny I cannot read my gagwes. I have been told 2004/2005 changed the lighting and that problem does not exist. Anyone know if it is cost prhibitive to change the cluster to a newer more readable one or is there an easier fix?

[Jahntassa]

Do you drive with your lights on all the time or leave them on automatic?Have you tried playing with the dimmer knob to the left of the gauges to see if they're not too dim?I have no idea how prohibitive the cost is..but you'd have to get a new gauge cluster, and then go to a dealership to get them to match up the odometer on it.. It's been discussed before, but I can't remember exactly what's involved.

[alk21633]

I drive with lights on all the time on automatic. I have tried all adjustments on the intensity dial. I was hopeing perhaps a change in the type of illumination [lamps] might be possible. I forgot about the odometer setting. thanks though. alex

[Mavrik]

If its possible to put an 04 cluster into your 03, the dealership would have to order you one that would come programmed since most shops are lot allowed to even have tools to do anything to your reading. I don't see why an 04 would not work on an 03 other then different part numbers... But I have never heard anyone successfully getting it done midst all the talk of "wanting to"personally I was kinda sad my 04 was not like the 03... the red dash was a function I really liked about them...

[joatmon]

I picked up a 2004 cluster from an ebay oauction that apparently nobody noticed, so I got a good price. I can verify that it is a plug'n'play replacemnt for the 2003 cluster. However, I still have the 2003 cluster in the car because I have not resolved the odometer issue.I currently see the following odometric options: send the 2004 cluster off to a company that can set the odometer, the cheapest I have found runs about $100US, a company in Michigan that I posted about somewhere here before but am too lazy to look up, something like SPECMO Have someone better than me at soldering swap the LEDs from the two clusters. I can handle the faceplate swap have someone a whole lot better than me at soldering swap the IC between the two clusters figure out a way to simulate the vehicle speed signal and hook that up to the 2004 cluster to and let it run non stop at ~ 120 mph for a month to make up the 80K miles difference between the two.The first one is easy, just throw money at the problem, but I'm not sure if it's worth the $100 to me on top of the cost of the cluster. The next two options pose the risk that one or both of the clusters could be damaged in the swap, then I'd be screwed. The fourth one is what I'd prefer to do, but time has kept me from identifying and recreating the VSS signal, which is something like four short pulses every rotation of something or another.I have not tested the 04 cluster in bright sun to see how it compares for visibility, but I do like the look of it better.I would also like to figure out a source for the LEDs in the cluster, so I could add one in to take advantage of the hole the US gauge clusters have where the Canadian clusters have the low washer fluid indicator.Maybe I'll just drop the c note and be done with it

[Jahntassa]

I do have to say, i've never had a problem with the guages when they're full-on.. Joatmon pretty much has the best explanation of what you can do.

[Waxler6942]

If you are interested in this I might be help my friend works at SPECMO and might be able to get this done for you. I would have to talk to him but if you are interested just let me know

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by Waxler6942 »If you are interested in this I might be help my friend works at SPECMO and might be able to get this done for you. I would have to talk to him but if you are interested just let me knowat this point I would be more interested in learning how they do it, not necessarily in having htem do it

[whitfiel]

Is the 2004 instrument cluster the same as the 2005 that's got the white numbers? That would certainly improve the visibility when the damn headlights come on due to shadows hitting the auto headlight sensor.(Yes, I've modded my sensor to make the headlights less prone to turning on, but it's still not as good as my 2001 Camry).

[ColonelPanic]

Yes, the 2004 and 2005 clusters are similar - white numbers/red markings... About the only difference would be the 2005 cluster has more indicators for things like Stabilitrak and the low tire pressure warning...

[jake75]

Is it illegal to put in a new cluster that starts at zero miles so long as you are honest with the person you sell the car to later on?

[Bobtronique]

Not agree with you...It is legal if you leave a sticker on the door pillar that is showing mileage of the old odometer.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Is it illegal to put in a new cluster that starts at zero miles so long as you are honest with the person you sell the car to later on?Probably.I believe if the cluster is replaced, the odometer has to be "certified" to be considered legal. Not sure though.

[Bobtronique]

Yes, you're right probably!

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Is it illegal to put in a new cluster that starts at zero miles so long as you are honest with the person you sell the car to later on?In the US, there are state laws that deal with odometer tampering. In Maryland, you have to declare that odometer is inaccurate when you sell the car, perhaps adding a sticker to the door jamb indentifying the error. I am not sure what is required in Ohio, but there is this web page http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/odomtamp.html gives some info about odometer tampering in Ohio.One of these days I'm going to get around to figuring out how to tweak the odometer setting so I can upgrade to the red/white gauge cluster. I could get by with a sticker on the door jamb, but I want the odometer to be accurate

[jake75]

When you transfer a car in Ohio there is an affidavit on the back of the title where you check (1) the odometer is correct; (2) the odometer is not correct, the correct mileage is ____; or (3) the odometer is not correct and I have no friggin' idea what the actual miles are.