Removing Instrument Cluster 300D
 

I plan to remove the instrument panel from my 83 300D and send it for repair. The odometer is broke, dimmer sometimes works, and some bulbs are out. Who should I send this unit to for repair?? Also I must cap off the oil line so I can drive the car if needed. Has anyone capped off the oil line and drove there car like this??. ..Thanks

Push it out from the back and loose all the cables and wires, easy job.

Repairing the lights and dimmer is a job you can do your self, the odometer is not that hard either, just fixed mine.

There was a good post here a couple of weeks ago, helped me a lot.

Don't send it out, just do it yourself. The odometer gear just needs to be superglued to the shaft or the shaft roughened up so the gear will stay put. The dimmer can either be cleaned up with tv/radio tuner fluid or jumpered across. With the dimmer jumpered or removed and jumpered the lights will only be semi-bright. Once the console is out, the bulbs are easy to replace. Best thing is you won't have to drive around with the o/p line capped and aimed right at your face or shirt!! Use the search function and see what others have said about these three repairs.

Instrument cluster
 

I would like to by a good used one and have it restored? Then I can just swap it out. I have looked at Ebay, but is there any other Place to get one ??

http://instrument.mbzarticles.org/odo/

When your ready to push out the cluster be sure to slack off the speedo cable in the engine compartment, that will give you a skosh more room. You can fix all this stuff yourself just like everyone says, if you have a place to work and the time.

I don't know about plugging off the oil line, spoz you could use an old gauge or take the gauge to the parts house and find a proper size fitting for the female fitting on the oil line (sized from the gauge)

Removing Instrument Cluster
 

I have read alot of posts on removing the instrument cluster on my 83 300D and plan to do this tomorrow..

I thought I had read somewhere that the glove box had to be removed so the instrument panel could be removed, but in the posts I have read tonight, it does not say to do this. Do I need to ?? or does it just to make it easy to push out the panel ? thanks

Re: Instrument cluster
 

Salvage yard, I know there's one or two here. Dunno what they go for on ebay, or what a yard would want.

I got a cluster out of an 1984 300D at a junkyard for 10 bucks yesterday! The thing is immaculate, and the speedo needle still has the orange on it. I put the cluster in my 240D so I have the tach :D I put my old speedo in it, so if you would like the 120mph speedo, you are welcome to it as it looks in good condition.

Let me know

Thanks Guys
 

I got the instrument panel out, replaced all the bulbs, and cleaned & lube the gears, so I hope this does it. The odometer seems to work now, I could not find anything wrong with the odometer gears at all. I did pull the instrument panel out by the hook method (coat hanger), but it is very difficult to get the speedometer cable disconnected. I had to take a set of grips to it. Hopefully I can get it all put back together tomorrow. I did try to push the panel out from under the dash by removing the kick panel, but I could not get to it, too many wires and cables in the way. So far the hardest part was disconnecting the speedometer cable, mine was froze on there. It did not take that long....

and many thanks for all the good info here:


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/71691-lets-pull-instrument-cluster.html?highlight=instrument+cluster

GA,

Did you used to post on tdiclub.com? I remember your signature from someone on that board. :)

Glad to hear that you were able to remove and repair the cluster yourself! I'm sure a shop would have wanted a pretty penny to do the work for you.

Dont think so..
 

Never seen that site.

I'd highly recommend repainting your needles and cleaning the trip odometer & inside of the shield at the same time as well, it can make a world of difference.
http://207.210.95.34/~boostd/GaugePaint/4.jpg
http://207.210.95.34/~boostd/GaugePaint/9.jpg

Looks good
 

Thanks!

This is what I learned from a member here.

If you have the cluster out do the following to brighten up the gauges: buy some adhesive silver foil (hardware store) and put it where the lights are that illuminate the gauges, I taped it on every side of the little "compartment" that holds the bulb. I also put a little piece where the light beam aims at the cluster (font side), so the light reflects better. The difference is noticeable and makes it very nice to read the gauges when it's dark, and it cost only a couple of dollars!

BoostnBenz, your DIY page are a great help, Thanks!

You can also brighten it by cleaning it or it is also quite popular to brighten it up by painting the "prisms" either bright white or a chrome like color.

No problem. :)