dash removal

I've just got hold of some new bulbs to replace the blown ones in my instament panel. Trouble is I have no idea how to remove it, I was going to have a try without instructions but I'm worried about breaking something and ending up with a bigger problem than I started with. Can anyone give me a rough guide? Where to pull and screw kinda thing, thanks.

I'll take some before and after pics too, as I've gone for LEDS instead of standard so should be interesting.

Thanks chaps

Tian :wink:

you dont have to remove hole dash just the surround and the switches realy easy but if you want the whole dash out there are two ten mill bolts at each end when the door are open and a few screws on the dash mid level

To get the instrument panel out……

Remove radio, pull off heater knobs and switch, pop off heater trim panel, remove steering wheel (not esential but makes it a whole lot easir)', pop off hlamp and fog/hazzard surround trims.

6 screws to remove:  behind hlamp trim, 2 above speedo , below hazzard lamp switch, top of radio hole, corner of heater panel.

Pull out the whole dash trim section a little and push the light switches etc out the the trim panel is free to remove.

Two retaining screws hold the instrument display in at the top, lose 'em.  tilt the display forward and reach around the back a remove the speedo cable and the wiring harness conector (both have pinch tabs.  The cluster is free to remove from dash.  The bulbs are in the back of the cluster and just twist 90 degrees and pull out.

Job done   Apart from putting it all back together.

HTH

ew, that's got to be a drink I owe you. I'll give it a go!

Thanks very much

Tian :y:

Here's a useful guide with some pics

Rich

mcscrew said

Here's a useful guide with some pics

Rich

Looks like it's going to be an expensive round.

Tian :wink:

I've got my instruments panel half off and I've broken the plastic sleeve that goes over the speedo cable can someone tell me how the hell the speedo cable actually works as I can't tell what the threaded bit goes into. I can see where the plastic sleeve goes but does the end of the cable just hang around close to the clock or does it slot in?

Thanks

Tian  :wink:

P.S I need to get this all back together so if it helps to call me send me a PM and I'll send you my Mobile.

Here's where the speedo cable connects to: -



The speedo cable is a sqaure tube of plastic which rotates in the outer sleeve, and is connected to the gearbox at one end and the clocks at the other.

The rate of rotation is proportional to the speed of the car - you can test this (if you're bored) by getting a screwdriver and sticking it in the hole indicated above - the faster you twiddle the screwdriver, the more speed the dial will indicate.

Reconnecting it should just be a case of screwing the knurled steel nut on the end of the cable onto the back of the clocks - make sure that the square tube slots into the hole nicely before tightening.

However, if this end is broken then you may need a whole new cable - these are really expensive brand new, although Crazyquiff will probably have one lying about…

Any probs post back

Rich

Was typing a reply but Rich has said it all.

Bad luck mate :cry:

The bit I've broken is the palstic sleeve that clips over the back of the clock. All I'm left with on the cable is a threaded bit about 1/2 an inch or so long with a small nut half way down! It doesn't even look lond enough to reach the back of the clock and screw in, although I take your word for it.

Tian :dontknow:

Do you mean the round bit?  If so then you def need to replace as it will not locate correctly.

This is the bit I busted at the left hand side. Do you think I could clamp it on with tie clips?

Tian

http://www.mylittle-eye.co.uk/ads/IMG_0398_Layer 1.jpg

Can't even get the image thing to work now, please go to the url to see the bit I'm on about.

Thanks

Tian

You could try, but in all honesty I dont think it would work.

Do you have rev counter?  You could guage speed until you get a replacement.  ?21.50 from GSF and before everyone slates it for being another rubbish gsf part, i've had one of their speedo cables in one of my golf for over 7 years

I've wraped it with electrical tape and used three tie clips! trouble is I can't see the end reaching the back of the clock. Now that's something I haven't busted! Strange but I don't see how it will get there. Is it the nut shaped bit that goes in and turns the needle?

Tian

By the way, it is only three bulbs on the back, two at the top and one in the middle, isn't it?

To make it a little easier you could disconnect the cable at the other end and pull it through the bulkhead a little so you can see what you are doingby sight rather than feel.

If you look back to the picture I posted earlier of the cable end, the sqaure shaped cable end is the part that goes into the speedo to make the needle register your speed.  

Yep, three bulbs is correct.

Thanks for all the advice and help lads. Trouble is I just put the dash back in and none of the dash lights are working now and I can't even get the horn push pack on without the horn sounding all the time.

Feeling bloody stupid now that I've thrown a whole day away and I'm further back than when I started.  I should have left it alone!

I think I need the use of a call out car electrician.

Tian :cry:

Tian, Dont give up :tlc:  We've all been there. It was only last weekend I spent two whole days trying to find an electrical fault on my cabby, perseverance is the key to having a cheap, reliable and thoroughly rewarding car and being able to say ~ I done that!

Re dash lights, did you reconnect the multi pin plug securely, also fully twist in the new bulbs you were replacing?  May also be worth checking the fuse too.

Re horn: Check the foam seperator for the + and - part of the horn push is correctly located, if any part of this is touching it will set the horn off.

Check your pm shortly

ew said

perseverance is the key to having a cheap, reliable and thoroughly rewarding car and being able to say ~ I done that!

Absolutely! Don't give up - you're only a couple of hours away from having it fixed again Plus you'll have learnt how the dash fits together in the process…

Thanks to you both! I've just watched Richard Prior Live on TV an he managed to help me forget the days problems.

ew, you're a star, thanks for the PM.

I'll give it another go, tomorrow's out though as it's my youngest sons birthday.

I'll be back!

Tian

Just to keep you guys updated. I've replaced the speedo cable with an item from GSF, installed the new dash bulbs, found and replaced the blown fuse, tested the dash lights, screwed most of it back together and replaced some missing screws that should hopefully reduce the dash rattles from the previous owners attempt to remove it!

All that's left to do now is finish screwing it back together, glue one piece I snapped and get an aerial extension from Halfrauds so I can refit the radio without being a contortionist.

Oh, also sort out my horn which when put together sounds all the time!!!

Getting there then!

Tian