Can someone please explain how to remove the gauge cluster
so I can check my dash light dimmer,to solve my dash light
problem. Thanks, Aaron

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1972 280sel 4.5

To pull the instrument cluster, start at the transmission. Disconnect the speedo cable by pulling the speedo drive gear from the tranny. It is easier to pull the drive gear than trying to separate the cable from the drive gear. One 10mm bolt holds the gear in. Taking the cable from the tranny will provide needed slack.

Next, your cluster may or may not be held in by a large knurled nut. You will have to reach in behind the cluster and feel for it. If you have a column shift, you will also need to disconnect the shift indicator bowden cable. To do that, feel around the top of the shift tube for a hook at the 12 o'clock position. The end of the cable has a clevis on it that slips over the hook.

Once these items are removed you can grab the sides of the cluster and work it out. There is a rubber ring around the cluster to provide a tight fit so it may take a little pressure. Once the cluster is out far enough you can reach in and disconnect the speedo cable from the speedo head. That will allow the cluster to come out a little farther. Do not pull out with much force or you may damage the oil line or the temp gauge capillary tube.

Next disconnect the electrical connector, a good sized round plug. After unplugging, you need to pull the oil pressure line. Using two 10mm wrenches, loosen the nut and pull the line off the gauge. Once this line is removed, do not start the engine or you'll take an oil bath.

The last attachment stays attached. The temp gauge on these cars is mechanical. The capillary tube must be treated with care, try not to bend, kink or somehow damage the tube. There should be just enough slack in the capillary tube to carefully turn the cluster so you can remove the screws from the back side of the cluster.

The potentiometer will now be accessible, it's the irregularly shaped ceramic piece. It should be attached by two or three screws, some of which also hold in the instrument dial. Once all of the gauge panel screws are removed, you can pull the gauge dial, set it back in the opening and take the rest of the instrument cluster to the work bench if you wish.

The process really isn't as bad as it sounds, but after going through all of this, you might as well replace every bulb in the instrument cluster. It will make a world of difference.

Assembly is the reverse of all of the above.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I concur with Mike, but you shouldn't need to undo the speedo cable from the transmission. You won't get a whole lotta slack out of it, but there should be just enough to reach in and undo the speedo side of it.

-CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/