do you have to disconnect the speedometer cable before pushing instrument panel out. there doesn't seem to be enough slack to move it out enough to disconnect it and my hand is to big to remove it before removing panel.any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

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luke morgan '84 300dt 180k,'85 300dt 220k, '95 S350 117k

You have pretty much found the hardest part of removing the inst cluster. I have heard that some folks disconnect it from the transmission end to provide some additional slack at the cluster. This will allow you to pull it further out. I am able to get my hand in there to unscrew/disconnect it.

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Jim

Is this what has been holding me back from being able to pull my cluster out?

I got it out but it was definitely a connected cable of some sort that stopped me from doing it.

I will drop that cover below the dash and see if I can remove the cluster then.

One question..
on the 1983 300CD, do I have an actual oil pressure line or an electronic oil pressure sender line?

Just wanna make sure...

Thanks

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

You have an oil pressure line. Hold the inst cluster fitting (12 mm I think) while turning the fitting on the line (10 mm I think) to disconnect it. The other end of the line is at the lower part of the oil filter housing on the drivers side.

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Jim

I find it much easier to jack the car at the left front and slide under the car on the drivers side. The speedo cable is at the rear of the trans and is held in by a bolt with 10mm head. It's on the right side for manual and left for automatic.

On our newly aquired 240DI removed the dash and found two burned and seperated traces on the circuit board.
The best method of dashboard instrument circuit board repair is conductive epoxy. Conductive epoxy is a very finly divided silver product made by Chemtronics of Kennasaw, Georgia (800-645-5244). It's mixed like epoxy and applied like a paste. It can also be make prototype boards or whatever.

I bought some at a salvage store years ago and don't have a current source. Perhaps our sponsor might carry this product

Randy Roeges

I once gained a much needed 2 inches by cutting a plastic tie underneath the car that held the speedo cable tight to the frame. This allowed me to slide my hand behind the instrument cluster and disconnect the speedo cable. Its still a pain however.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I also just cut the tie holding the cable to the frame and made it work that way. Not too much trouble...

The oil fitting on my instrument was 13mm & 10mm on the line.

I think the biggest pain is getting off the electrical plug on the left side. Of course I did it the hard way - without removing the steering wheel.

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John

1995 E320 - 115kmi+ Smoke Silver/Cream (Wife's Wagon)
1989 260E - 195kmi+ Black/Grey (My Panther)
1984 300D - 242kmi+ Black/Palomino (Retired)