Knowledge Base

How to remove the instrument cluster to get to the bulbs

How to get to the instrument bulbs
by Chris Bassett

You'll need to remove the upper console trim and the trim above the instrument cluster.

The upper console trim is the bit with the light and wiper switches on, and I'll refer to it as Trim A.

The trim above this is like a cover, and I'll refer to it as Trim B.

Trim A:
There are 11 screws you need to remove.
- 2 long, recessed screws and 7 small, countersunk screws around the instrument display (5 under the shade and 2 each on either side of the display)
- 1 each underneath the fog light switch and rear window demister switch.

Trim B:
I think that once the two long screws have been removed, Trim B can be slid off towards you (but I'm not certain of this). If you can't see a way of sliding Trim B off, then it is possible to remove Trim A first - you'll need to push Trim B up a bit though I think.

Trim A:
Adjusting the steering wheel position down helps to get the trim A out. ISTR having to rotate Trim A towards me as I pulled it out, so that the steering wheel went through the hole in the middle.

As you remove Trim A, you'll need to unplug the connectors for the 4 switches. You'll also need to poke out the "door open" light. If you poke it out from behind, you can then rotate it and feed it back through its own hole. This means you don't have to unplug the connector, which is really fiddly.

With the Trim A and B off you should be able to see the back of the instrument cluster. There's a metal support that arches over the cluster which you may also want to remove (I think it's held on with a couple of nuts). Removing the 3 cables at the top of the cluster should also help with access.

There are 3 illumination bulbs in the cluster - they are the green plastic bits sticking out. Rotate them about 45 degs anti-clockwise and they should then just pull out. The bulbs have a green plastic filter which seems to degrade after a while. I haven't needed to buy any yet (scrappy's are great aren't they [Smile]

so I can't advise on that side of things.

Re-assembly is the reverse of disassembly.

IMPORTANT:
Whatever you do, don't over tighten the screws of Trim A. The plastic cracks really easily, and they don't need to be tight!

: Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:31 am [ KB ] Instrument bulbs

[ Article updated...Lauren ]

Category: Interior
Type: Text How-To

Article Name: Instrument bulbs
Author: Basirk
Description: How to remove the instrument cluster to get to the bulbs

>>Read Full Article

: Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:32 am [ KB ] Instrument bulbs

[ Article updated...Lauren ]

Category: Interior
Type: Text How-To

Article Name: Instrument bulbs
Author: Basirk
Description: How to remove the instrument cluster to get to the bulbs

>>Read Full Article