944 Speedometer Face

[Icicle]

Hello,

I recently moved to the US from Canada, and my '86 944 only has kilometers per hour on the speedometer. I'm not sure what process I need to go through to register the car yet, but I'm assuming there will be some sort of inspection and MPH will be required on the speedometer (not to mention the fact that I don't want to do the math every time I check to see what speed I'm going!) =)

Is changing the face on the speedometer to include MPH an easy update? How complicated is this to do and what all would I need?

Thanks for any info!

[Razorback1980]

The easiest thing to do is to watch ebay and you'll be able to find a complete cluster for 50 or 60 dollars and you can just swap the cluster out. Takes about 15 minutes. If you feel like you need to keep your cluster for some reason, then things get more complicated. The hardest part is to get the needles off and back on without breaking them. Check out clarks-garage.com for more information on this procedure and all other information on your car.

To remove the cluster, take the screws out of the plate in front and remove it, then take the four screws out of the cluster and pull it forward. There will be three wire bundles in the back and they have locking arms on each side. Push the locking arms outward and they will push the wire connectors off for you. Reassembly is the reverse.

Welcome to the forum and welcome to America.

[mr. dude]

I would look to replacing the cluster as I don't believe a simple dial swap will work. A lot of clusters have different software for domestic and export clusters and the tick marks won't match up.

[ERAU944]

to be more specific welcome to the US (since you were already living in america)

the simplest would be to swap the entire cluster. probably the most difficult part of that would be finding one with the mileage that closely matches the conversion from kilometers. just replacing the face won't work, and it's very difficult to replace the whole speedometer.

[Razorback1980]

Thanks Mike...appreciate the correction.

^ What he said...Welcome to the US.

[Icicle]

Thanks everyone (for both the warm welcome to the forum and the country!) I wasn't sure if I would have to replace the entire cluster or not... I checked out Ebay and there were a couple but the dials were yellow which seems pretty odd. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. =)

The one thing I wasn't sure about swapping the cluster though, was how to deal with the odometer which registers in kilometers... Or is the odometer completely seperate from the speedometer cluster?

Thanks!

[ERAU944]

you'll need a cluster from a 944 that's model year '85.5 or later, the early ones aren't going to work for you.

if you swap the cluster, it will have all the mechanicals to operate for mph. (someone chime in if he needs a different computer - i don't think he does) the odometer is part of the cluster, and will change when you change the cluster. the only other thing is as i mentioned before - you'd have a change in the mileage on your car if you didn't get a cluster that was set close to the mileage you have on your car now. you can always take the new cluster to a speedometer shop and have them set the odometer for you after converting the km's to miles.

[chitown944]

I have an extra NA cluster sitting on my table. Welcome and make an offer as I dont see any on ebay except a 924 cluster for $80.

[Razorback1980]

If you need help finding one, let me know.

[shikzachaser]

Hey Tom:

You get Candace's car going yet?

Steve