Posted by Craig Selvey on October 26, 1998 at 18:50:16:
In Reply to: Re: Removing the dashboard posted by T.L. on October 26, 1998 at 16:25:24:
T.L. is right (A phrase echoed here many times), there is no need to remove the entire dash assembly. Just pull out the instrument cluster to gain access to the heater controls. If your car is a column shift, it will need to be in "1" if it is an automatic, and "1" or "3" if it is a manual. Take out the two screws, (one to each panel "pod"), then reach up under the dash and remove the speedometer cable. This can be removed by pushing in the tabs and pulling at the same time. It should pop right off. Now tilt the instrument cluster down from the top, then lift up on it to clear the bottom tabs. You should be able to get it out far enough to remove the wiring harness plugged into the back. Push on the bottom and top tabs on the "plug" and remove the wiring harness. There is also one light socket to remove by twisting it out. Now remove the cluster. You will find the steering wheel is somewhat in the way, but you should be able to remove the intrument cluster on one side or the other of the wheel.
Once the cluster is out of the way, you have very easy access to the heater controls and all cables. Each cable is held on by a screw with a bolt head, so if it is popping off, something isn't hooked up right or is broken....you should be able to see it all very clearly.
Good luck.
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: You don't have to remove the entire dash to remove the heater control or the wiper control; you're just making extra work for yourself. You do have to take out the instrument cluster though...
: : The heater control and wiper control on my 74 2-door
: : both need fixing, and it seems like the only way to really
: : get at them is by removing the dashboard. I managed to
: : remove the four screws under the windshield gasket and I
: : also removed the 3 large bolts on the bottom on each side
: : (after removing the plastic bottom piece with the radio.
: : The dash still doesn't move. What have I missed?