removing instrument cluster

[tommyturbo]

I've been searching on here, but have not found a definitive answer on best process for this. Have one car with a burned out low coolant warning, and a second with a od off light, and check engine warning lights that have burned out in cluster. I've seen talk about disconnecting the cable at firewall, but thought only connections are at vss and cluster. Can anyone confirm there is another connection? Also seen a thread or two that these two bulbs can be replaced without removal of cluster.

Looking for someone who has done this to give me best process.

 

[MarionSHO]

Hi tommyturbo,
You can take out the clear cover from the front. Lots of fun. I took a couple hours to remove an air bag lamp, one morning. Didn't know what I was doing but it's fairly straightforward.

 

[tommyturbo]

I beleive I need access to the back for the bulbs....

 

[BaySHO Performance]

Set of torx bits needed.
Separate the two halves of the speedo cable in the engine compartment near the brake master cylinder. They pull apart.
Remove the kick panel and drop the steering column a couple of inches to get it out of the way: remove the 4 nuts holding the black steering column support on with a 13mm deep socket. Loosen the 4 13mm nuts above it to lower the steering column.
Pull the main light switch handle off and undo the 19mm nut behind it. Lever out the switches with a spatula or putty knife and disconnect them. Rather than do that with the fog light switch, remove the ones around it and push it out from the back, otherwise you may crack the bevel.
Undo two torx bolts at the top of the dash panel and two at the bottom. Lever the dash panel off.
Undo two torx bolts at the top of the instrument cluster and two at the bottom. Pull the cluster out as far as it will go.
Disconnect the speedo cable by pressing on one side of the connector. Pull the cluster further out to take the two large connectors off. Pull the cluster all the way out.

 

[Irish Pride]

By far the easiest way to remove the cluster is my way. Literally takes minutes to do.

Disconnect the speedo cable at the VSS. Next, assuming you already have the trim bezel removed from the dash, remove the front of the cluster(black trim ring and clear jewel). Once the the front of the cluster is removed you can remove the speedometer held in with the torx screws. Once those screws are removed you can very easily pull the speedometer out and disconnect the speedo cable. Set the speedometer aside. Now with the cable disconnect you can easily pull the cluster out and twist it to unplug the two connectors on the back. Once unplugged just pull the cluster out. Reinstall in the reverse order. When you reconnect the speedo cable to the speedometer you don't want to push it back into place. The old plastic can crack. What I prefer is to get it lined up and then pull the cable from the engine side to get the speedometer into place. Don't over torque the torx screws. They will crack the plastic. Just get them snug and leave it at that.

-Chad

 

[tommyturbo]

thanks so much!