RE: TACHOMETER - HONDA CIVIC LX 1998

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Ez - 17 Mar 2006 04:24 GMT

I've posted a number of messages on this forum and I appreciate everyones
help, so thanks to all.

My concern today surrounds my '98 Civic Lx's lack of a tachometer, which I
would find very useful as my car is equipped with a manual transmission.

As of late I've been considering replacing my OEM gauge cluster with that
of a similar year Si or Ex model; both having the tachometer I seek.

I've asked a few Honda dealerships if installation of a new gauge cluster
would be a simple process of removing the old, and replacing it with the
tachometer equipped cluster - their answer was that such an operation would
necessitate re-wiring the car to the tune of a few hundred dollars. I have
neither the will nor the inclination to spend a few hundred dollars fooling
with the wiring in my car, nor to install an aftermarket tachometer.

Acquiring an Si or Ex gauge cluster is a non-issue for me as there is a
ready supply of them on e-bay for little money.

Does anyone have experience regarding this procedure?

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loewent - 17 Mar 2006 05:14 GMT

I did a direct replacement. If you want to keep your old speedo, you can too.
just swap it over to the new cluster. Take the old one out, swap the speedo,
drop the new one in. done.

it took me about 5 minutes, and cost about $50.

>I've posted a number of messages on this forum and I appreciate everyones
>help, so thanks to all.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
>Does anyone have experience regarding this procedure?

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jim beam - 17 Mar 2006 05:32 GMT

> I've posted a number of messages on this forum and I appreciate everyones
> help, so thanks to all.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Does anyone have experience regarding this procedure?

i don't have experience for the 96, but i've done it on several 88-91's
and it works fine, no wiring required because this car is sold into many
different markets with the only difference being the gauge cluster
fitted. i believe the wiring is there for the 96-00's as well,
particularly as the igniter has a lead specifically dedicated to the
tachometer, and it threads through the rest of the wiring system,
presumably terminating at the gauge cluster like the older models.

regarding cluster replacement, i'm not sure it's necessary on this
vintage like it is on other models. check out the diagrams on
hondaautomotiveparts.com and it shows both the tachometer and fuel/temp
gauges fitting into the same cluster, with the same printed circuit,
regardless of model. i've not done this particular swap, but i believe
it works, and replacing just the two gauges would be a whole /lot/
cheaper than replacing the complete cluster. you get to retain your
original speedo too. if you have the workshop manual, check the wiring
diagrams, but i'm 98% certain on this. only reason i'm not 100% is
because i sold my 2000 civic before i got around to doing it.

let us know how you get on so there's a record on archive!

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