Dash gauge needle stuck, how do I fix without breaking anything?
 

I installed a gauge set that had been retrofitted with some led back-lighting. (I can't help it, shiny lights are a weakness) Anyway, the OP needle gets hung and so is the fuel needle. If I smack on the dash the OP needle will move, but then gets hung again.

Will I break something if I get in there by hand with the power off and just move the needles back and forth to loosen them up? I don't know how long the gauges have been sitting with no use.

Attachment 189546

Wow, gauges from the future.

No. Move them.

It appears that they may end up being ok. They have started to move a little more now. I'm hoping a couple more trips in the car and they will free themselves up.

If they don't 'fix themselves', you may find that the face of the gauges have warped and the needles are getting hung up on them. My car came with a set of aftermarket white gauge faces and I was surprised at how warped they were.

C

My suggestion is, do not disassemble the gauges.
Just disconnect the senders, and with the key on, repeatedly ground and release the sender wire.
This way, you will force the gauge to do full sweeps, and they will hopefully free themselves from whatever piece of crud is taking them hostage.
Just an idea...

Thats the first pic of those ebay gauges i've ever seen actually installed.

Spray it with some graphite

Or Tri-Flow

It's crazy ghetto, but we all have our weakness.

HAHA I get it now!!! :P