If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Urgent: '02 300M instrument cluster removal
At least I found a service manual and discovered that I have to remove
the whole instrument cluster to replace a bulb -- so I'll replace all of them while I'm about it. OK, I've removed the bezel and the two screws (is that all there are? -- the manual doesn't say) holding the instrument cluster in place, but what do I get hold of to disengage it from the clips and connector? The manual says it takes 9Kg (30lb), but I can't get my fingers around the back to pull it free. Any special tricks or tools? Perce |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Urgent: '02 300M instrument cluster removal
Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
> At least I found a service manual and discovered that I have to remove > the whole instrument cluster to replace a bulb -- so I'll replace all of > them while I'm about it. > > OK, I've removed the bezel and the two screws (is that all there are? -- > the manual doesn't say) holding the instrument cluster in place, but > what do I get hold of to disengage it from the clips and connector? The > manual says it takes 9Kg (30lb), but I can't get my fingers around the > back to pull it free. > > Any special tricks or tools? > > Perce Make two hooks using coat hanger wire - make the other end of the wire a "T" shape to grip with your hands. Feed the hook ends between the cluster and the dash on the left and right of the cluster to hook at the back edges of the cluster, and pull - it will come out - maybe kind of suddenly, so brace yourself. Make sure you removed the two screws at the bottom of the cluster - *not* the two screws that just hold the lens to the cluster. You probably removed the right ones, but just thought I'd mention that to make sure. -- Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x') |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Urgent: '02 300M instrument cluster removal
On 02/10/09 06:18 pm Bill Putney wrote:
> Percival P. Cassidy wrote: >> At least I found a service manual and discovered that I have to remove >> the whole instrument cluster to replace a bulb -- so I'll replace all >> of them while I'm about it. >> >> OK, I've removed the bezel and the two screws (is that all there are? >> -- the manual doesn't say) holding the instrument cluster in place, >> but what do I get hold of to disengage it from the clips and >> connector? The manual says it takes 9Kg (30lb), but I can't get my >> fingers around the back to pull it free. >> >> Any special tricks or tools? >> >> Perce > > Make two hooks using coat hanger wire - make the other end of the wire a > "T" shape to grip with your hands. Feed the hook ends between the > cluster and the dash on the left and right of the cluster to hook at the > back edges of the cluster, and pull - it will come out - maybe kind of > suddenly, so brace yourself. > > Make sure you removed the two screws at the bottom of the cluster - > *not* the two screws that just hold the lens to the cluster. You > probably removed the right ones, but just thought I'd mention that to > make sure. I did in the meantime manage to get a better grip, and it came out, but one of the fastener tabs (the tabs projecting rearwards from the instrument cluster housing and which then carry the metal clips) broke off. I may still have some suitable plastic cement that hasn't already hardened in the tube, otherwise it'll just have to survive short of one clip. Have you ever replaced any of these bulbs? Did you find that the leads of the #74s were wrapped around the contacts and spot welded? Or was I supposed to use some special over-priced Mopar-branded "plug and light" bulb/holder assemblies? Perce |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Urgent: '02 300M instrument cluster removal
Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
> On 02/10/09 06:18 pm Bill Putney wrote: > >> Percival P. Cassidy wrote: >>> At least I found a service manual and discovered that I have to remove >>> the whole instrument cluster to replace a bulb -- so I'll replace all >>> of them while I'm about it. >>> >>> OK, I've removed the bezel and the two screws (is that all there are? >>> -- the manual doesn't say) holding the instrument cluster in place, >>> but what do I get hold of to disengage it from the clips and >>> connector? The manual says it takes 9Kg (30lb), but I can't get my >>> fingers around the back to pull it free. >>> >>> Any special tricks or tools? >>> >>> Perce >> >> Make two hooks using coat hanger wire - make the other end of the wire a >> "T" shape to grip with your hands. Feed the hook ends between the >> cluster and the dash on the left and right of the cluster to hook at the >> back edges of the cluster, and pull - it will come out - maybe kind of >> suddenly, so brace yourself. >> >> Make sure you removed the two screws at the bottom of the cluster - >> *not* the two screws that just hold the lens to the cluster. You >> probably removed the right ones, but just thought I'd mention that to >> make sure. > > I did in the meantime manage to get a better grip, and it came out, but > one of the fastener tabs (the tabs projecting rearwards from the > instrument cluster housing and which then carry the metal clips) broke > off. I may still have some suitable plastic cement that hasn't already > hardened in the tube, otherwise it'll just have to survive short of one > clip. > > Have you ever replaced any of these bulbs? Did you find that the leads > of the #74s were wrapped around the contacts and spot welded? Or was I > supposed to use some special over-priced Mopar-branded "plug and light" > bulb/holder assemblies? > > Perce I've never had to replace any bulbs. But if you go to the 300M Enthusiasts Club forums (http://300mclub.org/forums/index.php?), I know that has been discussed. If there is a good inexpensive alternative, I'm sure they have that answer. Make a reasonable effort using the search function there, and if no success, start your own thread and ask. -- Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x') |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
95 Explorer Instrument Cluster Removal | Bum | Ford Explorer | 2 | April 4th 07 02:55 PM |
Converted 65 instrument cluster to 66 5 gauge cluster but have wiring problem! | THE23MAN | Ford Mustang | 5 | February 11th 06 06:00 PM |
1999 Mazda 626 instrument cluster removal | fritzmeister | Mazda | 1 | February 4th 06 11:55 PM |
Removal Of instrument Cluster 98 Explorer V6 | tpyland | Ford Explorer | 0 | September 24th 05 07:02 PM |
Odometer cluster not working + constant horn output on 300m? | Milamber | Chrysler | 4 | June 26th 05 03:19 PM |