question on clearing needles

[00z71lt]

I am going to clear the needles on my gauge panel this weekend. I've read just about every post on here about how to do it. But one thing is never really clarified...do you have to turn the truck on and mark needle positions or can you just remove/replace them at rest?

[All_Terrain]

I cleared mine on my obs years ago and I was told to mark the needle positions.

[00z71lt]

did you have any problems afterward with the gauges not reading correctly?

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by 00z71lt

did you have any problems afterward with the gauges not reading correctly?

I've removed my needles myself AND had a gauge kit installed professionally, both times at least one of the gauges was off. My wifes Saturn Vue has had to have the gauge repaired and it also does not function as it did stock. This was fixed at the dealer, in fact I think they had to send it out IIRC to a speciality shop.

It's never been a huge issue, it just makes the truck feel "messed up" IMO. For example, my wifes Vue now shows below "F" on the gas even when it's completely full. It originally displayed it slightly passed F when filled up, as it's supposed to... at least it has on the 3 GM cars/trucks I've personally owned and all of the others I've ever driven and filled up. Probably at least 8-10 others. So I assume that's how it's supposed to be. Point is, I think you'll F it up just because it's hard not to, and even if you happen to not, you'll likely always question that you did. Like, is your oil gauge really reading correct or does it just always show that now??

It's not worth it IMHO. I've tried marking the positions with the truck off, the truck started, and neither practice worked though I've seen people claim good results. But you never really know the eccentricities of people. Some people might not care about the really small details like that, for others like myself, it makes it not worth it to mess something up so important just for a cool look.

[00z71lt]

Thanks Jeff. That is exactly my predicament. I want to do it but I'm still weighing the pos/negs. Lots of the threads here claimed faulty readings afterward. I will most likely leave it alone. I hate/love this forum at the same time...lots of good ideas but usually I end up messing shit up trying to copy them.

Like one persons sig says...spending money to impress people you don't know. More like spending money you don't have to impress people you don't know.

[05single]

I did mine in my obs dodge and yes they were a little off.want to do mine n my current truck and I know I will mess it up but there's a company I was gonna send it to and they would recalibrate the gauges back to stock positions.

Edit: u can buy aftermarket needles from usspeedo n any color

[00z71lt]

I guess sending it out is an option but I was shooting for the 'free' part of the mod. Loses its appeal to me once money becomes involved.