83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal

864 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by 16v, Feb 12, 2002

65dlx

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2002

Tried to remove the instrument cluster following the Bently manual instructions perfectly. Problem is, can't get the thing to come out of the dash, no matter which way I tip it etc...
What is the trick???

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

VWCaddy

· #2 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (65dlx)

Assuming everything is disconnected (wire harness, speedo cable, etc.) you may need to do a bit of trimming around the endges of the dash. My '81 dash seemed to have a lot of junk surrounding the inside of the cutout, molding flash, etc. I just kept trimming away until it would come out. None of the cuts was visible from the outside. My '82 cluster just pops right out:

Note, steering wheel doen't *have* to be removed but its often easier to do so.

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Big CADDY

· #3 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (VWCaddy)

also try to tip it forwards and pull it out... don't forget to unscrew the speedo cable. Have a towel nearby to catch the blood.

Lots of sharp thing up under the dash.

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65dlx

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (Big CADDY)

Does the speedo cable have to be removed before it will come out? The Bently says to disconnect it afterward. If so, how do you do it (I know it unscrews from the back of the mph guarge). I mean how do you get your hand back there?
Thanks

mattmcleod

· #5 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (65dlx)

Yup, the speedo cable has to be disconnected. Pull the panel out a little bit to give you some more working room (if possible), reach your hand back there and unscrew the cable (should come off pretty easily).

Big CADDY

· #6 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (65dlx)

you will need to remove the cable first
you have to reach way up in there... only one way to get to it, keep trying and you will.
If it is the first time it was ever removed, it will be a little more difficult because VW put this red plastic poop on it to identify tapering and to hold it tight..
You'll get it, just keep trying
Once you have removed that, tip it forwards and squeeze the harness that goes into it. It should just pop right out than.... don't forget to hook the speedo back up

lucas

· #7 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (Big CADDY)

man, i STILL can't get mine out. i tried again today, it just won't go. frustrating as heck.

lucas.

65dlx

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 11, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (lucas)

Ah, but the manual makes it look soooo easy!

white rabbit

· #9 · Feb 11, 2002

2

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (lucas)

If you have thin forearms you can sometimes undo the cable from the hole where the radio goes.

I always get it from underneath the dashboard. Remove the duct for your vent then feel for the smallest hole you can fit your hand thru. Once you get your hand thru the hole and slice your hand pretty good you should be able to feel the speedo cable. Sometimes it helps to take out the screws that hold the cluster in so you can wiggle the cluster while feeling for the cable. Once you do it a couple times it's easy, good luck

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Diamond Dave

· #10 · Feb 11, 2002

Yup, you need to reach up from the fusebox area. Feel around until you think your forearm is going to break; at that point you should be able to touch the screw-off speedo cable. Now use a normal twisting motion to unscrew the housing; this will produce sensations ranging from pure agony to shooting white pains in your wrist and neck area. Once the speedo cable comes off, attempt to extricate your arm from the dash; DO NOT PANIC IF YOU AREN'T ABLE TO REMOVE YOUR ARM RIGHT AWAY. This is normal. You'll need patience.
Oh, for removing the housing, tip it forward and try to get it out of the little arms that are holding the two mounting posts on the lower portion of the housing.
PS. on German cars there is a beautifully simple snap lock mechanism that disonnects the speedo cable. Westmoreland ROCKS!

[Modified by Diamond Dave, 3:55 PM 2-11-2002]

Big CADDY

· #11 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (Diamond Dave)

I got my arm stuck up in there once, Kinda like a Chinese Monkey Trap. My Watch got caught on the steering column bracket. I was stuck for about 2 hours until my brother came home and worked my watch around the bracket. Needless to say, don't wear jewlery when working on cars.. WHat was worse is that all those damn wire zip ties that were cut off for a nice clean look were slicing me up lie a hard boiled egg on a Caesar Salad.

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xxfmulder

· #12 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (65dlx)

You can unhook the speedo cable from the otherside if you can't get your hand behind the cluster. I think 83 GTi's had that black box inline with the speedocable, which is just a milage counter for the 02 sensor. Anyway, its located in the raintray, just unscrew the section of cable closest toward the dash. Doon't just pull the cluster all the way out though, it may be a pain in the butt to feed the cable back through the firewall. Just pull the cluster out a few inches, until you can unscrew it from the cluster.

VWCaddy

· #13 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (lucas)

quote:[HR][/HR]man, i STILL can't get mine out. i tried again today, it just won't go. frustrating as heck.[HR][/HR]

What is hanging it up? If its plastic around the opening, and its not visible with the cluster in place, a sharp knife, file or small razor saw will take care of it. I had to whittle a pretty good pile of plastic out of my '81 dash to get the cluster out (the first time). I think most of it is just flash and excess plastic from the injection molding process.

VWADDICT15

· #14 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (VWCaddy)

Here's my trick..kinda makes it easier for me..
You can either remove the piping for the left vent and go in through there with your hand or also take out the speaker in the dash an d reach that way...I don't got the skinniest of arms but this worked well for me..
Hope it helps somehow..
Andrew

Big CADDY

· #15 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (VWCaddy)

The red cheese on there is to show the dealer if it has been tampered with and to keep it from coming loose.... I guess its working

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Chapel

· #16 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (Big CADDY)

the bently DOES say you can remove it with the speedo cable attached...
but you CANT
unless you unbolt the cable from the transmission and push it through...
I had my little armed friend get his hand up there and remove the cable
then I was able to tighten it back on once I put in my new gauge faces... (which Ill need to do again, because they are already starting to bubble

16v

· #17 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: 83 GTI Instrument Cluster Removal (VWADDICT15)

quote:[HR][/HR]Here's my trick..kinda makes it easier for me..
You can either remove the piping for the left vent and go in through there with your hand or also take out the speaker in the dash an d reach that way...I don't got the skinniest of arms but this worked well for me..
[HR][/HR]

this way give you excellent leverage for unclipping the speedo cable

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