Temperature gauge clusters swap

Tiny
ANDI888
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 ACURA LEGEND
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 197,000 MILES
My car listed above fuel gauge failed so I swapped in a used cluster from another 1989 Legend Coupe; however, new cluster's temperature gauge doesn't work. Can I swap the temperature gauge out of my old cluster into the replacement cluster?
Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 4:11 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Yes, you should be able to do that or just check the wiring going to it. The issue is most likely in the wiring or at the plug that the cluster plugs into. Take a look at that to make sure its secure and nice and clean making sure all the contacts are goods. Look for any cracks in the foil ribbon and check all your fuses just in case. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is. Tom
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 AT 7:07 AM
Tiny
ANDI888
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the quick reply, will give it a shot. Original cluster is fine but when swapping the new one in everything works but the temp. Externally looks okay (no breaks in the ribbon) so something inside, will dig around. Thanks again.
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 AT 7:15 AM
Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Yes, take a good look, it would be pretty rare for the gauge itself to be bad. Its connections yes or even the sending sensor sure but the actual gauge unlikely. Check the grounds for the cluster too. It way more likely something got disturbed in doing the job.
Tom
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
ANDI888
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the suggestion. Here's the latest, with the car running I swap in the old cluster and no gas gauge reading but temperature is fine. Then I swap back in the new cluster and gas gauge reads correctly but no temperature. Grrr. No visible breaks in the ribbon and the temp and fuel gauge look like a paired unit so unless I really dig into the thing, separating them would be tricky. I can live without a gas gauge (I get about 300 miles per tank so I just set the trip odometer) but temperature is my most important gauge so might be going back to the old cluster. Thanks for everyone's help here, much appreciated.
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Friday, April 16th, 2021 AT 8:28 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,182 POSTS
Hi,

Thank you for the update. However, it would be nice to have them all working. LOL Is the "new" cluster new or a different used one? Regardless, let us know if you change your mind or have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, April 18th, 2021 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
ANDI888
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The "new" cluster is used and out of another 1989 5 speed Legend coupe (had 370,000 on it which I rolled back to match the 197,000 on mine). I'll fiddle with it a bit more but I think I'm back to the original cluster and tracking fuel by my trip odometer. 32 year old car, it'll have some eccentricities. Thanks again.
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Monday, April 19th, 2021 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,182 POSTS
Hi,

I understand. Regardless, let us know if we can help or if you have questions in the future.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, April 19th, 2021 AT 4:53 PM

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