Zap Racing

Has anybody else had a problem wih the Auto Meter12201 triple A pillar pod cover fitting correctly? The bottom pod is hitting the dash--BAD!. When U look down the pods in line with each other, the bottom pod is rotated clockwise, and the amount that it is off is what is causing the problem. It is off so much that it cannot even be "persuaded" to fit.

Craig

Hg

I cut the ends off mine and moved it up as far as possible, I've got some pics of what I did but I can't post them up here, they're too big. I don't have them hosted either. If you want them I can email them to you.

Zap Racing

Good Idea!

Yes, Please e-mail the pics to:

zap1@ev1.net

Thanks
Craig

canadiangta

ME TOO MRHOFFOS@HOTMAIL.COM

Zap Racing

Got em, but could not open them--I'm not a computer person and I'm on an iMac--probably why!

Hg

lol, sorry man, I'll send them again but not in winzip. Forgot to mention that my car is ttop, so yours might be different.

Zap Racing

Auto Meter's reply to mu fitment problem--ongoing

I will send it in as long as I will get it (or replacement) back in a timely manner. I have already verified that it is a 12 201 by the inscribed/molded number on the backside of the cover. I have already figured out (from some threads I read--see below) that the only way to use it is to cut the bottom and top of the cover off and slide it up the pillar a couple inches. I HAVE NOT made the modification to the 12 201 cover yet, but I do have all three gauges installed and just hanging at the moment.

As far as fitment problems, I am a member of "Thirdgen.org" --a website devoted exclusively to thirdgen (82 to 92) Camaros and Firebirds. It is, by far, the most popular board nationwide for that type car. After I ran into the trouble that I have described, I did a search for past threads as well as posting my own questions on the board about fitment problems with this piece. I can send U a dozen different threads devoted to the exact same issue. All of them have experianced the exact same problem. I am very surprised that U are not aware of this situatuon/problem. If U truly are NOT aware of it, it's only because nobody has ever taken the time to make Auto Meter aware of the situation. I will include the 2 different threads with my questions as examples. If U wish to read more, let me know, and I will send U the web addys for at least a dozen threads dealing with the same issue, or U can go to the Thirdgen.org website and do a search and read the results yourself.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...postid=2306542

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...postid=2306108

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/att...postid=1981476
The bottom address is for a pic posted on the thirdgen board--not my car--I would not have a problem with it just resting on the dash, but when it is pushed down to where it matches the top and bottom of A pillar, the outside of the pillar cover is almost an inch away from the A pillar because it is being distorted and twisted.




What shipping address, and to who's attention, do U want me to send it to?


Thank You,
Craig Landry



From: "cory_villani" <cory_villani@autometer.com>
Organization: Auto Meter Products, Inc.
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2005 08:55:46 -0500
To: "zap1@ev1.net" <zap1@ev1.net>
Subject: RE: Service Question

Hello.

We are not experiencing any fitment problems on that body of vehicle
and nothing has changed in its design. Can you please look at the back
of the pod to verify that the number inscribed on the back side matches
the model number you purchased? If it is the same, I would then like you
to send it in to us so that we can compare it with a known good part.
Thank you.
Cory
Tech/Service


-----Original Message-----
From: zap1@ev1.net [mailto:zap1@ev1.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 1:37 PM
To: service@autometer.com
Subject: Service Question


Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
(zap1@ev1.net) on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 13:37:04
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---

Vehicle Year: 1989

Vehicle Make: Chevy

Vehicle Model: Camaro NON TTOP--hardtop

Vehicle Sub-Model: IROC

Vehicle Engine: L-98 350

8th digit of serial number: 8

Product model #: 12201 Apillar pod fitment

GaugeType: Mechanical

question: Got a 12201 triple A pillar pod for my personal car 89 Camaro
IROC. IT DOES NOT FIT! The bottom pod hits the top of the dash--BAD! In
looking down the pillar cover the bottom pod is not in line with the top
two. It is positioned more clockwise than the others. The amount that it
is off is what is causing the fitment issue. Is/was there a later
revision where this was corrected, cause there is no way this will fit
even close to correct the way it is.

I have built a number of cars over the years as well as working as a
fabricator for many years for a company in Houston where we built circle
track and drag strip cars (before I had togive it up for health
reasons), so I am very experianced at "making" things fit. It is so far
off, it cannot even be "persuaded" to fit.

Thank You Craig Landry

Hg

Sad thing is, it's not just our cars. I've heard about the same problem on 2g DSM's(95-99 Eclipse/Talon).

edit: JMatlock88 put 3 gauges on his a-pillar, he did this before there was a tripple gauge pod offered. He used 1 dual and 1 single gauge pod, and he doesn't have any problems that way. You don't really notice that it's 2 different pods. Its entirely up to you which way you choose to do it. I bought the tripple, found that it didn't fit right, and modified it like the pictures I sent you...

Zap Racing

EVEN THOUGH I WAS WILLING TO GIVE THEM THE "BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT"---ABOUT WHAT I EXPECTED!

Below is the final/last response from Auto Meter about the fitment situation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIr-

I think at this point you should simply return the part to where you purchased it for a refund or exchange. It TRULY is a problem that has not been brought to our attention until you. I can make no promise of how much time it will take me to find a fix or exchange it for you since I am TRULY unaware of the problem.
Cory
Tech/Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I highly encourage anybody and everybody that has had a fitment problem with the Auto Meter 12201 Triple piller gauge pod to either send an e-mail to the address below and/or do a copy and paste of your previous post and /or thread concerning this manner! I know I am!!! Let the mfg. know how U feel and that I am not the only that has had this problem.

I AM NOT ADVOCATING ANY BASHING OR BAD MOUTHING OF AUTO METER (or any mfg.)--In general, I think Auto Meter has a LOT of good stuff, but in this case they do not. they will not acknowledge it, and shoud be informed that there IS a problem with the 12201 piece!

Please direct all correspondence to:

Auto Meter Products, Inc.
cory_villani@autometer.com


Thank You
Craig Landry
zap1@ev1.net
713-723-6393

Zap Racing

Already cut, but not installed--A BIG THANKS! Actually looks pretty good!

Zap Racing

OutLaw305

can someone send me a pic of how it should be cut? I will be getting the full pillar pod soon. Thanks.

Mitch

Huzarmit@msu.edu

Zap Racing

HG the moderator sent me some . I'm not sure i still have them--basically U cut some off the bottom and the top, so it's just the shape of the main pillar--U are cutting the "curved areas" off both ends and slide it up so bottom pod clears the dash and attach as normal--they provide little plastic christmas trees to stick through holes U will drill through the OEM a pillar.

Zap Racing

Pics sent--let me know if they come through.

Craig

Hg

Guess you beat me to it lol.

Zap Racing

We'll see if they go through--Thanks again for the pics.

redraif

I had fitment problems too. thought it was cause I sound proofed under the dash which might have made it sit taller. Mine hits the dash pad. I made it fit w/o cutting though, just pushes into the dash pad a touch



I will definately hit them with an email!