Installing White Face Gauges Need Help!

Z71 GMC · March 17, 2009

Hello Im new to this site, I purchased a set of white face gauges off of ebay for my 1999 Gmc Sierra. The instructions i received are horrible and I'am unsure how to install these, I pulled the cluster out and now i'm assuming I must pull the needles off without damaging or making the gauges inaccurate. I have recorded where the needles are posistioned with the vehicle running, but have not yet attempted removing the needles. Also there is wiring involved, the kit came with the converter box with 1 red wire, 1 black (ground wire), 3 connector plugin wires, and also a 2 prong plugin deal. I'm not sure if i need to hook up all of these or just certain ones, and i dont know where to hook these into. I'm thinkin that the red wire should be spliced in with the headlight switch wires??? Sorry it wouldnt let me post any more pictures but iam working on gettin some more posted up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks...

Z71 GMC · March 17, 2009

Hello I purchased a set of white face gauges for my 1999 GMC Sierra and I'm unsure how to install these as the instructions were worthless. I got the cluster out and have recorded where the needles are whith truck running. but dont know how to get the needles out. There is wiring involved the kit came with a converter box with 1 red wire and 1 ground wire , 3 plug in connectors and 1 two pronged plugin. Do I need to hook all of these up, and where? I'm guessing that the red should be spliced in with the highlight switch wires? behind and under my steering column there is a black box with other wires run in there that looks like i can pug the 3 connectors into but im unsure. I'am working on getting more pictures up. Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

Z71 GMC · March 17, 2009

I did post this question twice on the site by accident.

Z71 GMC · March 17, 2009

Ok I have the pictures...

MikeInCtown · March 17, 2009

Well first, you must have bought the indiglo type with two colors that I see on eBay. The instructions should be pretty clear on that harness. You just need to figure out which wires go to power and ground and the others go to the face somehow.

as far as the needles go, there is a procedure that I have read about on how to replace the needles without having to re-calibrate or anything. I can't remember where I posted them here (what thread) but if you search on cluster replacement, stepper motor replacement, or guage face replacement they may be in there. if you search google for stepper motor replacement there is a thread on the trailvoy forums that details how to remove the needles and re-install so you get fairly accurate results.

Stevens03 · March 17, 2009

Wiring the harness is on you.

To get the needles off, you can use a fork and pry up on them, trying to keep even pressure on both sides as you pull up. They are just pressed on. Make sure you have a drawing of the needles at rest too. Once you get the needles off, you remove the existing overlay and replace with the new one. I did those on my S10 a few years back. Mine you could change the color from blue/green to red for the flame look..

Its not a hard job.

Steven

1990ss · March 17, 2009

Is it just the gauge face or the whole cluster? If it's just the face, you shouldn't have to do any wiring. I've installed white face guages on my 2000 and 2002 that I had.

I would start by recording where the needles are with the truck running at normal temp. and with it not running and cool. Take the 4 bolts out of each corner of the cluster, unplug the harness and pop off the clear plastic piece. The kit I had came with a little tool for removing the needles. Really don't need it though. A screwdriver will work. The needles just pull right off. If you need to, you can put the screwdriver under the needle to pop it off.

Once all needles are off, just peel the black guage face off. Go slow so you don't leave any glue behind. New face just sticks in place of the black face.

Hope this helps.

1990ss · March 17, 2009

Sorry, when I posted none of the above posts were there. I didn't see the pictures.

Z71 GMC · March 17, 2009

I was thinking of splicing the red wire on the converter box to the head light switch?? Im guessing I should splice it with one of the orange wires there are 2 of them that go to the switch and 1 is bigger and 1 is smaller, any one know?? thanks!!