Main.TrailIndexPage | Electrical Systems | Dashboard Instruments

Dashboard Instruments

This component is part of Electrical Systems.

Definition

Define the component. Include, if known, the german language word for the component, as well as the English or American equivalent. Show a picture, a diagram.

  • Its technical name & common name(s)
  • part # - start year & end year
  • which area it belongs to - engine, transmission, body, injection etc, link back to the relevant section

Function

Describe, in general terms the function of this component. Meaning what is it there for and what role it plays. Describe how it works, the inside mechanism. Use diagrams to explain.

Components

List all components here that comprise the section. These would typically be links branching off to new component pages.

Topics covered in other sections but frequently referred to here are:

The Dashboard material is covered elsewhere.

Maintenance

Describe common maintenance procedures, and common faults that may occur. Describe how these may be diagnosed and resolved. Again, include diagrams, photographs and explanations. Where possible, include measures, tolerances, weights etc.

  • Removing the Dashboard
  • Symptoms when it faults
  • How to test if it is faulty - what tools to use
  • How to fix / change

Link to related components where appropriate.

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Removing the Dashboard

I am trying to remove the following from the dashboard, any hints on how to accomplish this?

  1. Lightswitch (do not know how to remove black plastic part)
  2. Cigar Lighter
  3. Ignition Switch
  4. Emergency Flasher
  5. Heater levers (I have removed all chrome from front and unit is loose, do I remove cables from unit, or from where it connects to (heater)?
  6. Center Gauge display (Oil Pressure Gauge, Fuel Gauge and Temperature Gauge). If I am not going to start the car, can I disconnect all wires including oil line, or will it leak?

Joe Alexander: the black plastic part of the light switch will pull straight out after unscrewing the chrome ring. It takes more force than you would think. The cig. lighter can be removed by disconnecting the plug and twisting the plug prong unit on the plug end of the unit. Next a thin 13mm nut can be unfastened to free the retainer and the cig. socket will pull straight out of the dash.

The emergency flasher is removed after the chrome ring is unscrewed. I believe the knob can be left in place while unscrewing the ring? Now the emerg. switch can be unpluged and removed from behind. The heater levers will be a challenge.

Most people remove the cables from the unit. The speaker with grill and the radio also must be removed first. If you have not removed the glovebox yet do so. It will help removal of the cig. lighter, chrome and heater leavers. As you know the dash face chrome around the heater unit must be removed (10mm nuts). Be sure to find the two hidden phillips cable lock down screws. These can be viewed by looking through the windshield from the outside of the car.

Look down the speaker hole and move the top heater controls until the hidden phillips screws are visible. Turning the screws will release the top cables from their post. The little "U" clips can be popped off and the special lock-down ring clips can be removed to unfasten the other cables. Mark the cables if you are not familiar for re-assembly later.

All cables and control flaps and valves should be put into good working order before re-assembly. The center dash display unit is freed by a single thumb screw behind the dash. Getting to it and the speedometer cable is the tough part. I reccomend removing the steering wheel, which is easy on these cars. Access to the gauges and removal of your ignition switch will be made so much easier.

After your center cluster is free, you will have to unhook the oil line. The temperature gauge has a capillary tube which must be handled carefully. I suggest carefully removing the temp. gauge from the cluster and storing it in the dash opening and not disconnecting the unit at the engine. This capilary tube is fragile and the connection at the engine is often weakened by corrosion or previous repairs. The oil gauge can also be removed from the cluster and left in the dash, if you want to start the car.

You may want to tape a small clear plastic bag around these gauges if you store them in the dash to protect the delicate mechanisms. The ignition switch will probably require removal of the speedometer also. The elements involved in the removal of the ignition, are designed to be a little difficult or complex. First the 10mm bolt and nut on the clamp/collar around the stem of the locking mechanism must be loosened.

There is a 13mm nut on top of the unit which will loosen the large "U" strap holding the steering column tight and also holding the ignition in place. There are one or two 13mm bolts under the dash which need to be removed. The padding may need to be removed first? Next turn the ignition key to first position right. Use a good mirror and a light and find the hidden lock button/pin on the ignition steering lock. This is near that 10mm clampping unit, on the steering lock shaft. It is about 3/16" diameter or about 5mm.

Push the pin down and twist and pull on the switch assembly to begin removal. (As stated the ignition must be in the first position to the right or the button/pin cannot be depressed). Now remove the key and finish removing.


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