Dash Gauge Cluster Needles Shriveled up, falling off. 2004 Foton 254a.

[Desert Mike DIY]

Has anyone repaired their sun stroked gauge needles on their rig? Most of mine have fallen off of their hubs. Getting this cluster off the the tractor has not been successful. The power leads to the amp meter seem so short I can't get them out enough to take the nuts off.

Mike

 

[Desert Mike DIY]

Here's a pic of the dash cluster and the shriveled needles.

 

[piper184]

My 2006 Jinma cluster is starting to look like that. The cluster wires have a short pigtail that unplugs from the tractor harness so you don't have to disconnect each wire for removal. The problem on mine was getting the retaining clips, nuts and lock washers off from the back side. I fixed that by making external clips held in with screws. Not as pretty but much more accessible.

Many moons ago when I worked at a Chevy dealership we had a "speedometer bench" where we could repair and calibrate speedometers. Of course back then we could get the internal parts individually. I'm not sure where to get replacement indicator needles. They appear to be just plastic that dries out and curls up. Currently two of mine have curled into the face of the instrument and are dragging enough they only move a little with vibration. I'm pretty sure if I were to touch them they would just crumble. Then what? Replacement clusters for the 284 are available, but run about $300 which seems like a lot to pay just for some pointers.

 

[Bob Rooks]

This is what you can expect when you don't store the tractor under cover. Direct sunlight (UV) has a detrimental effect. Not to mention the heat buildup inside the cluster.

 

[fried1765]

This is what you can expect when you don't store the tractor under cover. Direct sunlight (UV) has a detrimental effect. Not to mention the heat buildup inside the cluster.

In the sun, you can also expect everything rubber to be rotten or rotting as well.

 

[Desert Mike DIY]

My 2006 Jinma cluster is starting to look like that. The cluster wires have a short pigtail that unplugs from the tractor harness so you don't have to disconnect each wire for removal. The problem on mine was getting the retaining clips, nuts and lock washers off from the back side. I fixed that by making external clips held in with screws. Not as pretty but much more accessible.

Many moons ago when I worked at a Chevy dealership we had a "speedometer bench" where we could repair and calibrate speedometers. Of course back then we could get the internal parts individually. I'm not sure where to get replacement indicator needles. They appear to be just plastic that dries out and curls up. Currently two of mine have curled into the face of the instrument and are dragging enough they only move a little with vibration. I'm pretty sure if I were to touch them they would just crumble. Then what? Replacement clusters for the 284 are available, but run about $300 which seems like a lot to pay just for some pointers.

So even the power leads to the amp meter have a connector down lower somewhere? That seems to be holding the cluster in right now. Not sure how to get under the cluster to the connector.

I want to try and remove the needle/hub on each gauge and replace it with something from maybe a jeep or ford clusters I have somewhere in the shop.

 

[Desert Mike DIY]

This is what you can expect when you don't store the tractor under cover. Direct sunlight (UV) has a detrimental effect. Not to mention the heat buildup inside the cluster.

I've only owned this tractor for 5 months. Can't reflect on previous owners choices.

 

[lman]

I've only owned this tractor for 5 months. Can't reflect on previous owners choices.

I think it's obvious.

 

[Desert Mike DIY]

My 2006 Jinma cluster is starting to look like that. The cluster wires have a short pigtail that unplugs from the tractor harness so you don't have to disconnect each wire for removal. The problem on mine was getting the retaining clips, nuts and lock washers off from the back side. I fixed that by making external clips held in with screws. Not as pretty but much more accessible.

Many moons ago when I worked at a Chevy dealership we had a "speedometer bench" where we could repair and calibrate speedometers. Of course back then we could get the internal parts individually. I'm not sure where to get replacement indicator needles. They appear to be just plastic that dries out and curls up. Currently two of mine have curled into the face of the instrument and are dragging enough they only move a little with vibration. I'm pretty sure if I were to touch them they would just crumble. Then what? Replacement clusters for the 284 are available, but run about $300 which seems like a lot to pay just for some pointers.

Those retaining brackets had already fallen off of my tractor. I only found one bracket laying loose under the cluster. I tend to want to repair than replace most items on vehicles. I just about have the left side brakes repaired. Both oil seals were a challenge to replace. After I rivet the new linings to the shoes and get them installed and tested, the cluster should be the next item on the list. Hopefully I can find the connectors that you mentioned. Did you have to do much disassembly to get to the connectors ?

 

[Bob Rooks]

I want to try and remove the needle/hub on each gauge and replace it with something from maybe a jeep or ford clusters I have somewhere in the shop.

Are you serious? Don't you think that will affect the accuracy, even if you're able to do it? How do you plan on re-calibrating the instruments? These clusters are not designed to be repaired or individual components replaced, that's why they are so inexpensive. Just make an auxiliary panel with mechanical gauges and eliminate the frustration, imho. But good luck anyway. I'd love to see pics of that evolution.