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Dashboard instruments and indicators: replacement and selection

When and why it is necessary to replace dashboard instruments and indicators

For such devices as tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure gauge, cooling liquid temperature gauge, fuel level gauge and other instruments and indicators there are no replacement terms specified. Usually, the cause for installation of new dashboard instruments is improper operation of old ones. Integrity violation of the parts or their separate elements is possible. For example, the speedometer needle can be broken down.

Failures in instruments operation are a frequent result of contacts oxidation due to ingress of moisture and dirt. As for cracks, they can appear on the parts because of installation errors. Also, instruments and indicators break down due to vibration and impacts.

Particularly, improper operation of the tachometer can be caused by soiling of ball bearings, back end breakage, excessive gap between a driving part and a back end, total or partial demagnetization of the unit, ingress of foreign particles in the electromagnetic coupling or damper.

Defectiveness of any gauge can be indicated by its spontaneous stoppage. So, breakage of the speedometer is often indicated by its needle remaining in the zero position during car driving. Also the device can indicate some speed value even if the car is stopped. Abrupt changes of readings are specific for a defective tachometer. While breakage of the fuel level gauge can be manifested in the fact that the needle is constantly in the zero position or shows full fuel tank regardless to presence of fuel in it.

At more serious defect of any automotive gauge, replacement of the whole instrument panel in assembly may be necessary. It is because separate parts are not always available on the market. Replacement of the instrument panel or its particular parts should be performed at a service station, as in most cases, during performing such works it is necessary to demount other elements, such as the steering wheel. Moreover, having no corresponding experience you can damage contacts and make an error during connection of the components to the car electrical network, which can lead to their improper operation.

How to select dashboard instruments and indicators

These instruments can be analog and digital. The instruments of the first type mostly show information about readings changing by moving the needle on the dial. While indicators of the digital instruments are presented by an electronic display, on which information is shown. Readings of these devices are more accurate.

In order to make the instruments and indicators serve you longer, purchase products of companies which earned trust of car owners. For instance, high-quality devices are presented in the assortment of Febi Bilstein, Magneti Marelli, VDO.

Take into account that you can install an instrument panel with an on-board control system, an on-board computer, with both of them or without any. When buying any instruments and indicators, you should take into account the brand, model, production year and body type of the car. Selecting the instrument panel assembly, specify its dimensions – it is important for proper installing. Besides, you should consider the specifications of the instruments you select. For example, purchasing the fuel level gauge, take into account the fuel type, and selecting the oil pressure gauge – its working range of values.