Cluster Help!!!! :(

Prof · September 04, 2008, 12:23:04 PM

Quote from: Retro_Boy_G;532040I\'ve honestly tugged on the circular one sooo much.. it wont budge.. But i\'ll keep trying.. I can\'t get my hand in far enough to unhook it.. my finger tips reach the circular plug and thats it.. need someone with smaller hands and alot of strength i think.. :yes

There is a little plastic piece on the connector - you need to push that in before the connector will come off. Also, they will be stiff the first time, as they are a round connector, and will have \'mated\' metal to metal for some time - be prepared for some concerted tugging.

Retro_Boy_G · September 04, 2008, 12:43:16 PM

Quote from: Prof;532053There is a little plastic piece on the connector - you need to push that in before the connector will come off. Also, they will be stiff the first time, as they are a round connector, and will have \'mated\' metal to metal for some time - be prepared for some concerted tugging.

Ahh.. its like being a teenager again... It\'s a shame i can\'t get my "tugging" hand in.. i knew i should have practiced more with my left hand! haha...

pdtaylor18 · September 04, 2008, 06:22:13 PM

failing that the plug leads are only about 10" long and go into one connector but I really dont think you will be able to reach it.

Cant say we did not warn you about the sharp stuff !!! My hands were a mess after I had taken my speedo out about a dozen times. I have since learned what to do and in what sequence and I will still get quite a few scratches etc but not as bad.

Gloves are for woosies !!! You need to feel the car, let it hurt you a bit but in the end it knows who the master is !! Try not to lose your temper with it though as it does have feelings.

Retro_Boy_G · September 04, 2008, 08:56:19 PM

Mission Failed guys..

.. Honestly.. i kid you not, i pulled and pulled as hard as can be on the connectors and they just wouldn\'t budge.. my wrists are a mess.. it honestly looks like i have been going at them with a knife.. I simply shook my head and put everything back together again in case i made it worst.. plus i still have some screws left over which can\'t be good.. but its all back together and seems perfect. I think the steering wheel change will have to be my only interior mod..

On the plus side though i got it back together fast enough to take her out tonight for a spin.. had a bit of fun with the RWD also.. hehe..

But yeah.. i now have a brand new metal cluster cover, white turbo dials and blue back lights if anyone is interested?.. haha.. you can help fund my new wheels.. i think i\'ll stick to exterior mods.. aint much i can do to the honking blue interior..

Thanks for everyone who helped though. its appreciated more than you will ever know!

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:01:19 PM

You Woosie !!! tell you what though it will take ages to get your hands back to normal !!
Cant really offer anymore advice apart from its down to that little catch thing in the middle of the connector. I will have a check on my project car and see if the other end of the connector is easy enough to take off. Think you might have to take the upper part of the dash trim off beneath the windscreen. I know you can get to the wiper and lights connectors at the bulkhead end. I would have taken the dials but mine is the S5 and therefore round.

Retro_Boy_G · September 06, 2008, 05:07:50 PM

haha.. im a pussy and a half! I found the little clips but i was pushing, pulling, bending.. and it made no difference..

How do you mean by the dials being circular?

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:24:12 PM

Yours are S4 with 1/4 circles for fuel, water etc. The S5 ones have round ones.

Retro_Boy_G · September 06, 2008, 05:26:32 PM

ahhh.. cool man. I thought all FC\'s had the same dials. You got any pics of it?

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:28:01 PM

I put a touch of electrical gel on mine before i put it back together, this helped massively. They can be tight and sometimes its just the fact that 15 or so pins are holding it back. Tug harder !!! Wriggle it side to side as you quite forcefully yank it from its home of 20 years.

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:30:49 PM

honking blue can be changed to black. I have a dash you can have for free, just collect. There are plenty of Fc\'s being broken for some lovely black trim at I expect very little cost. You could do the job in two days.

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:33:01 PM

round dials found on later models. I dont think these are interchangeable. Not without changing some wiring.

Retro_Boy_G · September 06, 2008, 05:33:57 PM

haha i appreciate the offer but ive honestly gave up on the inside.. I don\'t mind it that much.. i feel its just the wheel that makes it feel dated. once i have my new one on i will feel alot better.. Do you know how much i would be talking for some power steering?

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:34:28 PM

By the way although my car is officially a S4 1988 it has all the workings of a 1990 UK S5 including wiring,engine etc.
My car was grey inside........its now black.

pdtaylor18 · September 06, 2008, 05:37:21 PM

Do you not have power steering ?

Tell you what dont bother !!! seriously you will totally experience the cars feel and handling without it. You will have to mod the rack to do this and on the FC\'s the pumps are speed sensitive but a Saxo lecky one can be fitted but you will still need a power rack. I was actually going to take mine off and go without as its a good mod, one less belt, maybe one more BHP, keep it as it is.

Retro_Boy_G · September 06, 2008, 05:40:03 PM

It\'s not an essential but it was something i would maybe do if i had ran out of stuff to do.. haha.. I think the new wheel will help alot.. the original wheel is so thin and slidey.. no grip left.