The invention discloses a method for detecting installing condition of an automobile instrument pointer, which comprises the following steps: clamping an instrument by using a clamp, loading the pointer by using a die, transferring the pointer to the underside of an oil hydraulic cylinder or an air cylinder by using the clamp, arranging a strain pressure head in the oil hydraulic cylinder or the air cylinder, pressing the pointer into the instrument by using the strain pressure head, arranging a mechanical height limiting device between the strain pressure head or the pointer and the instrument, arranging a pressure sensor in the strain pressure head, measuring the pressure in a down pressing process of the strain pressure head by using the pressure sensor, transmitting a pressure signal to a computer by using a signal wire, recording the pressure change value on the strain pressure head in real time by the computer, and outputting the obtained maximum pressure value through a displaydevice. A detecting device consists of the mechanical height limiting device, the clamp and the oil hydraulic cylinder or the air cylinder. The method and the device measure the friction force between the pointer and the instrument by using the strain pressure head, ensure the pressing height of the pointer by using the mechanical height limiting device, and improve the assembly efficiency and the assembly precision of the automobile instrument pointer.