one more question for you guys, just wondering if anyone knows how to remove the needles from the gauges in the dash, i.e. speedo, tach, etc. I also need to know the name of a place where i can get a new fuel gauge/engine temp cluster for my 02 pro5.....kinda broke it. oops. well at least i always have 3/4 of a tank now......

 

be very carefull, they are easy to break and if one does u have to order a complete gauge cluster to replace, i haven't done the needles on my protege but it looks like it'd be the same as on my altima, to get them off you slowly twist clockwise and slightly upwards until the needle slips off. Once off i sanded the back and repainted it white instead of the ugly orange they used to be, the only tricky thing was recalibrating the needles to match where they should be, u need to mark on the guage where your rpm needle idles, where the fuel is and the speedo so u can get them back on in the right spot. I couldn't get the speedometer quite right so it was always 5mph faster than before

 

this is an issue that has been beat to death, you can do a "search" and see the horror stories for youself. To make a long story short, your probably phucked. I've yet to see anyone salvage a cluster. People have two choices: 1 - Buy a new one from Mazda for around $350 US dollars. 2 - Buy a used one from a salvage yard for around $50 US dollars (but be aware the mileage will be different after possible affecting the car warranty)

Procarparts.com has reverse gauges that fit over the stock needles. If you go that route be careful because people have still broken the needles with these as well. Especially the temp and fuel gauge needles, they are so damn delicate

 

I dont think that you can remove the needles I broke mine and I'm pissed at least the yellow light still comes on to tell me that I have like 25 miles left. But like you already read by very very very careful.

 

I broke my temp and fuel gauges as well. I went to a website and can't remember it right of hand and bought a 99 sedan cluster for my P5. It was about $60, but I got it and put the 2 needles in. It took some modifications but I got them to work like new again.

 

so i got a quote from a junkyard for $150, but im still not sure if they are quoting me the entire gauge cluster, or just the temp/gas gauge circle and motors, which is all i need.......

for the meantime, i have a permanent 3/4 tank of gas and no warning light, so i have to do some quick math every once in a while to see how much farther i have to go b4 im outta gas....

 

$150 is a rip off bro, local yard here sells em' for $50 give or take 10 bucks (entire cluster).