dash/cluster removal
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 526
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From: fallbrook ca.
dash/cluster removal
i need to work on my dash lights but im not sure how to remove the dash, and the switch ***** that hold it on, could some body point me in the right direction?
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
It's quite easy. Basically just unscrewing stuff. Some things to keep in mind:
1. Windshield wiper ****: pulls off
2. Headlight ****: there is a release behind the **** in the dash. Someone here has a pic
3. Stock radio: pull ***** off. Unscrew two brass nuts behind the *****. Unplug wiring harness.
4. Instrument cluster: reach behind, compress the speedo cable plastic housing (there is actually a video of this somewhere on the site) and pull cable and housing out from the speedometer. Unplug wiring harness.
Dash lights are easy to replace, just turn them to the left slightly and pull out. Clean the connections. Dielctric grease may be helpful.
Resist the temptation to clean the gauges! The white paint comes off very easily.
Be careful screwing things back in as the old plastic can be very brittle and even crumbly
Some folks are using LEDs now for dash lights.
1. Windshield wiper ****: pulls off
2. Headlight ****: there is a release behind the **** in the dash. Someone here has a pic
3. Stock radio: pull ***** off. Unscrew two brass nuts behind the *****. Unplug wiring harness.
4. Instrument cluster: reach behind, compress the speedo cable plastic housing (there is actually a video of this somewhere on the site) and pull cable and housing out from the speedometer. Unplug wiring harness.
Dash lights are easy to replace, just turn them to the left slightly and pull out. Clean the connections. Dielctric grease may be helpful.
Resist the temptation to clean the gauges! The white paint comes off very easily.
Be careful screwing things back in as the old plastic can be very brittle and even crumbly
Some folks are using LEDs now for dash lights.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
headlight switch has a release button (under dash). push it and entire **** rod assembly will come out. wiper switch has a very small release pin to push in . rotate wiper switch to "on" position you should see it. use an awl to apply pressure to release ****
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
the headlight **** is the trickiest, reach all the way to the back of the switch and feel for a 1/4 inch or so diameter button, push it in all the way, and pull out on the **** at the same time. The headlights may be on, depending on when the pin released. if they are, put it back in and try again, or disconect the battery.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Always disconnect the ground cable of the battery before working on electrical.
NO .. do NOT just pull on *****.. Bad advice
Wiper ****
More bad advice on Headlight switch
H/L switch shaft ****.
Once cluster bezel is loose [u[]pull headlight switch to headlights ON [/u] ..reach in behind and press button on top of switch and GENTLY pull head light switch shaft out.
NO .. do NOT just pull on *****.. Bad advice
Wiper ****
More bad advice on Headlight switch
H/L switch shaft ****.
Once cluster bezel is loose [u[]pull headlight switch to headlights ON [/u] ..reach in behind and press button on top of switch and GENTLY pull head light switch shaft out.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
Jason
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
It's in the Details.
Quote:
headlight switch has a release button (under dash). push it and entire **** rod assembly will come out.
the headlight **** is the trickiest, reach all the way to the back of the switch and feel for a 1/4 inch or so diameter button, push it in all the way, and pull out on the **** at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now read my instruction again.
Quote:
headlight switch has a release button (under dash). push it and entire **** rod assembly will come out.
the headlight **** is the trickiest, reach all the way to the back of the switch and feel for a 1/4 inch or so diameter button, push it in all the way, and pull out on the **** at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now read my instruction again.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
I stand corrected re: wiper ****. Did not know there was a release there. Maybe that is why mine is so loose.
Ditto on the battery disconnect!
Ditto on the battery disconnect!
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
It's in the Details.
Quote:
headlight switch has a release button (under dash). push it and entire **** rod assembly will come out.
the headlight **** is the trickiest, reach all the way to the back of the switch and feel for a 1/4 inch or so diameter button, push it in all the way, and pull out on the **** at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now read my instruction again.
Quote:
headlight switch has a release button (under dash). push it and entire **** rod assembly will come out.
the headlight **** is the trickiest, reach all the way to the back of the switch and feel for a 1/4 inch or so diameter button, push it in all the way, and pull out on the **** at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now read my instruction again.
OK, I gotcha. More missing info than bad advice. Here's a picture showing where the release button is on the switch. Its a GM switch, but the idea is the same.
Notice the shaft with no ****. That is what happens when you don't push the button and just yank the **** off. Unfortunately, a lot of things were disassembled that way on this particular truck. That's how a freebie truck turns into a money pit.
Jason
