Odometer cluster rattling after dash replacement under warranty

[eJay]

I got my dash replaced under warranty a year ago and there has been vibration of & rattling noise from the speedometer cluster whenever I go over a bump. It seems as if the cluster was not properly mounted back to the dash (thus it vibrates back and forth when I go over a bump). And the problem is getting worse over time. The cluster has been rattling more than ever and I can hear a metal piece scraping across a plastic surface (like a bolt) when I take sharp turns. Until now I have been living in an area with a very good road condition so I didn't feel the need to drive up 2 hours to the dealer and have the issue addressed (I was at school). However, I just moved to Baltimore, MD and the cluster rattles very much/often with the poor road condition here. Although bringing in the car back to the dealer in Northern VA would be the best option for me, I cannot drive down to VA on weekdays because my school is starting tomorrow and I will be very busy with school until Thanksgiving.

So I am planning on taking apart the steering wheel and the cluster to take a look at what's wrong inside myself. I know there is a DIY for taking off the steering wheel but I don't think there's one for taking apart the cluster. Could someone tell me how to get to the back of the cluster? Thank you.

 

[AeroBFA]

Well, the cluster isn't really easy to get to. Hopefully it's something simple like the two 10mm bolts that are on the bottom of the dash, connected to the metal bracket. You can remove the lower dash panel first and look for those two bolts to tighten first. Hopefully this is the problem.

 

[la_fx35]

I will post some pics up on how I took the cluster off the steering column tonight. I don't have access to pics right now. It's actually somewhat easy to take the cluster off. If I remember correctly there are 4 10mm bolts that holds it down onto the steering column. Two on each side. Once you fully extend and up the steering wheel and pull the lower steering wheel column cover (the one with the tilt/telescope control) off, you should see the bolts. There are very little room to get in there though. What I found worked best was one of those flexible racketing wrench to get at the two bolts of the left and long extension with a 10mm socket on the right side. Once you loosen the bolts, the cluster can wiggle it out. Pry the three/four push pin that attach to the back of the cluster to remove the piece of cloth. Once that is out the way, simply disconnect the two plug behind the cluster and it then can be completely taken off the steering column.

Since the cluster just rattle over bumps, most likely the bolts lose. You might not need to take it out completely. Simply look for the bolts that are lose once the remove the lower steering column cover.

 

[eJay]

So after posting the thread I went down to the car and looked around the steering wheel and found two 10mm bolts playing around on the bottom of the steering wheel column cover. It sounds like two of the four 10mm bolts got loosened and fell (or the dealer just didn't bother to put them back). I will wait for your pictures before I take off the steering wheel la_fx.

 

[la_fx35]

Here the pics to help you on removing the cluster from the steering column.

Remove one philips on the right side of the lower steering colmun cover and gently yank/wiggle it downward.


Fully extend the steering wheel, disconnect the tilt/telescopic control wiring and remove the lower cover out of the way.



Look under/into the left side of the steering column and remove this 10mm bolt.


Look further in and remove this 10mm bolt.


Look under/into the right side of the steering column and remove this 10mm bolt.


Look further in and remove this 10mm bolt.


Squeeze the upper and bottom tab on the headlight signal stalk and pull it outward to disengage it from the clock spring.


Squeeze the upper and bottom tab on the windshield wiper stalk and pull it outward to disengage it from the clock spring. Remove the wiring connector from the stalk.


Pry the three push pin that attached to the fabric and disconnect the two wiring connector from the back of the cluster. Cluster is now free from the steering wheel column. Simply lift it off the steering column.

 

[fiolek]

Do you happen to know if the mileage is stored in the computer module ? I am wondering if I replace the cluster (my odometer and trip odometer does not show up -the dealer told me the cluster was fried even though the speedometer and everything else work fine) if I will have the accurate mileage.

 

[la_fx35]

The mileage is stored on the cluster.