Scratched trip computer screen!!!

ToonaFish · 10-17-2017, 01:59 PM

Hello all. This will be my 2nd post ever on the forum and my first thread.

As stated on the title, I severely scratched the screen of the "trip computer," located on the left side of the gauge cluster. I was trying to remove dried saliva marks caused by sneezing (yuck, I know!). I assumed that the screen would tolerate my fingernails well, so I lightly scratched in an attempt to remove the sneeze stains.

Right away, many white scratch marks appeared. It seems like the trip computer screen has a dark anti-reflective film on it -- kind of like how glasses have those different coatings on them, except the film on this screen is so fragile.

My question is how do I go about this? Do I just buy a replacement gauge cluster, preferably used, and have the dealer install it and adjust the mileage on the odometer? I'm thinking other alternatives probably won't work. Will shops be able to do it for much cheaper? Most likely, no one would be willing to replace the screen itself. Scratching away the entire dark film would not work since the screen will be way too reflective.

Thank you, and sorry for this dumb mistake. I just assume that most screens and clear surfaces are not that sensitive, hence the reason why I scratched lightly instead of wiping it off. Sigh.......

ToonaFish · 10-17-2017, 02:07 PM

A couple of other solutions without replacing the entire gauge cluster:

One solution might be to scratch away the entire film and have a tint shop apply a tint film on it. Might be worth a try.

The dealer actually suggested going to a body shop and see if they are able to take the screen out, and either work on it or make a new one.

Jayhovah · 10-17-2017, 02:16 PM

Maybe you could lightly polish them so they are less visible?

If you are OCD then a new gauge cluster maybe.. but I'd imagine some cleanup/polish might be worth a shot.

If you post some pics, people might be better able to help you out.

ToonaFish · 10-17-2017, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhovah

Maybe you could lightly polish them so they are less visible?

If you are OCD then a new gauge cluster maybe.. but I'd imagine some cleanup/polish might be worth a shot.

If you post some pics, people might be better able to help you out.

Here is the image. Where ever it is reflective and white, it is scratched. Brown parts are normal. Black regions are shadow or reflection of phone.

scope22 · 10-17-2017, 03:53 PM

I have a base cluster i dont need, once you remove the dark coating i don't think there is anything you can do, short of removing all coating and respraying if you can find someone that could even do that. i think its cheaper to just buy a new gauge cluster and replace it, used ones are pretty cheap, before installing it, make sure to take it to the dealer so they can reset the milage counter.

ZeroZeta · 10-18-2017, 02:01 AM

I was going to say something along the lines of "buff it out" but that may not be a bad idea in this case. You would need to get something small like one of the power drill attachments.

ToonaFish · 10-18-2017, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scope22

I have a base cluster i dont need, once you remove the dark coating i don't think there is anything you can do, short of removing all coating and respraying if you can find someone that could even do that. i think its cheaper to just buy a new gauge cluster and replace it, used ones are pretty cheap, before installing it, make sure to take it to the dealer so they can reset the milage counter.

I'm leaning towards buying a used gauge cluster. For now I blocked off the screen with black electrical tape. How much would you sell yours for and how will you sell it, scope22?

I can either replace the whole unit and have Nissan set the odometer to where it should be, or try to take the screen piece from the replacement (incoming) unit and install it in place of the scratched piece. If this latter method does not endanger the assembly of both the original and replacement units, I might have a shop do it for me when I bring the car in soon for something else.

Thanks to all for your advice.

scope22 · 10-18-2017, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToonaFish

I'm leaning towards buying a used gauge cluster. For now I blocked off the screen with black electrical tape. How much would you sell yours for and how will you sell it, scope22?

I can either replace the whole unit and have Nissan set the odometer to where it should be, or try to take the screen piece from the replacement (incoming) unit and install it in place of the scratched piece. If this latter method does not endanger the assembly of both the original and replacement units, I might have a shop do it for me when I bring the car in soon for something else.

Thanks to all for your advice.

looks like you have a sport cluster, mine is base, so you can use it to replace that window only not the whole thing, but i dont know how easy that would be? again i have a base (not sport) cluster i can sell for $50 +pp + shipping

ToonaFish · 10-21-2017, 12:50 AM

Aw, darn. I just found out that the instrument gauge cluster for the base trim does not have gear number display. I really don't know how troublesome it would be to detach the top lid of the trip computer to access the screen piece. It could be held in place either by a snap-on mechanism just like most interior trim items, or glued to the bottom side which is connected to the motherboard.

From calling and online research, it seems Nissan does not have the capability to correct odometer mileage number at the dealership, if the solution is to buy a used gauge cluster. They can however set the mileage for new clusters before shipping them out.

The only two ways to get correct mileage number with a used gauge cluster are to buy one with slightly more mileage or have a speedometer specialist adjust it using a device. In general, dealerships don't work on odometers or dash clusters enough to justify keeping an expensive device just for that purpose.

10-17-2017, 01:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
ToonaFish Base Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 11 Drives: 16 370Z Sport 6MT GM Rep Power: 9	Scratched trip computer screen!!! Hello all. This will be my 2nd post ever on the forum and my first thread. As stated on the title, I severely scratched the screen of the "trip computer," located on the left side of the gauge cluster. I was trying to remove dried saliva marks caused by sneezing (yuck, I know!). I assumed that the screen would tolerate my fingernails well, so I lightly scratched in an attempt to remove the sneeze stains. Right away, many white scratch marks appeared. It seems like the trip computer screen has a dark anti-reflective film on it -- kind of like how glasses have those different coatings on them, except the film on this screen is so fragile. My question is how do I go about this? Do I just buy a replacement gauge cluster, preferably used, and have the dealer install it and adjust the mileage on the odometer? I'm thinking other alternatives probably won't work. Will shops be able to do it for much cheaper? Most likely, no one would be willing to replace the screen itself. Scratching away the entire dark film would not work since the screen will be way too reflective. Thank you, and sorry for this dumb mistake. I just assume that most screens and clear surfaces are not that sensitive, hence the reason why I scratched lightly instead of wiping it off. Sigh.......

10-17-2017, 03:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
scope22 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 1,179 Drives: wife crazy Rep Power: 55	I have a base cluster i dont need, once you remove the dark coating i don't think there is anything you can do, short of removing all coating and respraying if you can find someone that could even do that. i think its cheaper to just buy a new gauge cluster and replace it, used ones are pretty cheap, before installing it, make sure to take it to the dealer so they can reset the milage counter. Jayhovah likes this.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Trip computer down button?	Miguel70Z	New 370Z Owner	8	09-08-2014 12:05 AM
Change language on Japanese Fairlady Z Trip Computer ?	Mattymo	Exterior & Interior	0	07-29-2014 07:14 AM
370z speedometer vs computer trip avr. speed	super_fla	Engine & Drivetrain	3	09-10-2010 06:02 PM
Navigation Screen Scratched	W.O.W. 370Z	Nissan 370Z Warranty / Scheduled Maintenance / Servicing / Repairs	3	03-29-2010 01:24 PM
Trip Computer- MPG Estimate vs. Actual	davidyan	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	9	07-11-2009 12:31 PM

10-17-2017, 02:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
ToonaFish Base Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 11 Drives: 16 370Z Sport 6MT GM Rep Power: 9	A couple of other solutions without replacing the entire gauge cluster: One solution might be to scratch away the entire film and have a tint shop apply a tint film on it. Might be worth a try. The dealer actually suggested going to a body shop and see if they are able to take the screen out, and either work on it or make a new one.

10-18-2017, 02:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
ZeroZeta Track Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Austin TX Posts: 543 Drives: 2013 Z Rep Power: 13	I was going to say something along the lines of "buff it out" but that may not be a bad idea in this case. You would need to get something small like one of the power drill attachments.

10-21-2017, 12:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
ToonaFish Base Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 11 Drives: 16 370Z Sport 6MT GM Rep Power: 9	Aw, darn. I just found out that the instrument gauge cluster for the base trim does not have gear number display. I really don't know how troublesome it would be to detach the top lid of the trip computer to access the screen piece. It could be held in place either by a snap-on mechanism just like most interior trim items, or glued to the bottom side which is connected to the motherboard. From calling and online research, it seems Nissan does not have the capability to correct odometer mileage number at the dealership, if the solution is to buy a used gauge cluster. They can however set the mileage for new clusters before shipping them out. The only two ways to get correct mileage number with a used gauge cluster are to buy one with slightly more mileage or have a speedometer specialist adjust it using a device. In general, dealerships don't work on odometers or dash clusters enough to justify keeping an expensive device just for that purpose.