Not too long ago I was excited to reach 300 000 km in my 2007 Pontiac Vibe. Unfortunately the odometer was built to stop working at 299 999km! What a disappointment.
What are the options once your odometer locks at 299 999km?
The easy option would be to set Trip B to track your future millage. The downside of this option would be in the possibility to lose the information. Trip A and Trip B are automatically reset if you unplug the battery, or if dedicated fuse decides to let go.
I track my millage for work and for scheduled oil changes, so I decided to replace the instrument panel with a used one from a scrap yard. I found one locally that had around 80 000km. That leaves me another 220 000km to go! (Not sure I’ll go that far).
The dealer can reset the original cluster for around $350.00 + taxes; and it can take upwards of one week before you get it back. Not really worth it for an older car like this.
Important Note:
It’s illegal to falsify odometer reading in a vehicle. When selling the car, you have to tell the future owner what the actual car millage is. In my case I kept the original cluster and wrote when it was replaced, along with how many kilometers were on the new one.
Anyways, on to the pictures!
Original odometer is locked at 299 999km
Use both hands to remove the bezel. Left hand goes here.
Use both hands to remove the bezel. Right hand goes here.
The bezel is held in place with clips (no screws, simply pull it out)
Your gauge cluster is now exposed.
Remove top screw (Phillips).
Pull up on the left side to unclip. (You can use a screw driver to push slightly on the visible metal clip — pictured in the next few pics)
Pull up on the right side to unclip.
Use a screw driver to depress the metal spring clips if necessary.
Once unclipped, slide the bottom of the gauge cluster towards you.
Carefully rotate to the right to expose the cable connections.
Plugs should look like this.
Squeeze-in the clip on the large plug to release it.
That wasn’t too complicated.
Repeat the same process on the smaller plug (screw driver used as a pointer only).
Once unplugged, rotate and pull the bottom out first.
About halfway through, rotate the bottom upward.
We’re now ready to install the “new” cluster.
Insert top first.Rotate sideways.
Keep rotating until the plugs are exposed.
Insert small plug.
Insert large plug.
Position cluster and test with ignition. If everything works, you’re ready to finalize!
Align bottom right clip.
Align bottom left clip.
Once the clips are aligned and the cluster sits behind the top metal bracket, lightly push down to lock it in the clips.
Make sure the screw hole is aligned.
Insert and tighten top screw.
Install bezel by pushing it back into its original position (careful for the Trip Reset button — see below)
Make sure the trip reset button is properly aligned before pushing the bezel in its final position.
Your installation is almost complete!
Mark & identify the original gauge cluster. You can include it with the car when it’s time to sell it.
