Needle temperature gauge dashboard

[JMK [OP]]

I have a little problem with the dashboard temperature gauge: When the car is shut down the needle needs doesn't go back to it's zero position. The needle has shifted to "one quarter" and has made that it's new zeromark. So when driving the temperature gauge needle goes up too high. Instead of halfway it goed up too three quarters. When on normal operating temperature.

I have called a couple of dealers but they say they can't reset it and a dashboard change with all clocks on it is necessary. This part only will cost me 700 euro's (just the part!) So I'm not going to do that. I'd rather buy a scan gauge to keep track of the temperature. But I still want the tempgauge to act normal and go back to zero. Isn't it possible to to just push the needle back?

I made a ****ty photo with my phone to go with this thread. This is the position the needle goes to with car shut off. Hope you understand what I'm saying and maybe someone's got a solution.

Thanks in advance.

[toyo22r]

Just buy a replacement gauge cluster from a salvage yard. In the US that should be less than $100.

[JMK [OP]]

I don't think we have any gauge clusters on salvage yards here in The Netherlands with the few FJ's riding around here...

I'd rather repair this temp gauge (or let somebody do it). But how and is it even possible?

[Joeisip811]

Hmmm... 1st of all how did that happened? Do you know the history of the FJ, previous owners, services.. Maybe someone here in the forum can help you run your Vin number to see if your fj got into an accident...

Well if I'm in your situation I would just take the odometer out and manually turn that needle to it's proper place :-)

[Joeg180]

It could be that the needle is hung up on something? I had a shift indicator once that would move very slowly, a little bit of lithium grease and all was well.

[JMK [OP]]

Unfortunately I didn't buy it from a dealer. And the guy I bought it from didn't have the history of maintanance/ services. Normally I would think he had something to hide but I thought to just buy it and take the chance. The car has been checked recently and all seems good. What happened to the meter I can't tell you. I'm not a tech guy either...

Manually putting it in the proper place seems good to me. But the toyota dealers over here seemed more keen on changing the complete panel. They say, you can't put it back in place... I wouldn't know why this can't be done...

[NIKFJ]

Hi, I've been driving Toyotas for over 15 years and never seen that before. I would imagine it needs to be re calibrated. I don't understand why the dealer has made such an issue.
I will the dealership on Monday that I know here in South Africa and let you know.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[JMK [OP]]

The needle doesnt stick or move slow. It's just the position where it's at that's not good.

[NIKFJ]

Sorry that was……
I will CALL THE DEALERSHIP!


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[JMK [OP]]

All right Thanks NIKFJ. I understood you already...