How to install gauge overlay.... - Interior Forum - j-body.org

How to install gauge overlay.... - Interior Forum

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How to install gauge overlay....

Saturday, May 27, 2006 3:20 PM

I have a 2004 sunfire and I just got some reverse glow gauge overlays. My question is how do I actually get to the gauge cluster? Do I have to remove the entire dash to get to the cluster, or is there a way to remove the plastic piece around the protective plastic to get to it?

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Saturday, May 27, 2006 3:56 PM

Carrie B.

Getting to the gauge cluster is easy. You do have to remove the top part of the dash, but it only takes a few minutes.

*be sure to disconnect the battery since you will be messing around by the air bag on the passenger side of the dash*

1. remove both windshield pillars (they pop out)
2. remove the windshield defroster vent (it pops out)
3. unscrew the one phillips screw that's holding the long piece under the windshield in place (you will see the screw after you remove the defroster vent)
4. remove the long piece under the windshield (it pops out)
5. remove both end caps (each one is held in place by one phillips screw)
6. open the glovebox door and remove the two phillips screws holding the radio/HVAC bezel in place
7. remove the radio/HVAC bezel
8. remove the torx bolts that are holding the metal trim in place above the glovebox opening
9. remove the metal trim from above the glovebox opening
10. remove the torx bolts that are underneath the above stated metal trim (there are a couple more torx bolts above the radio and next to the steering wheel)
11. remove the torx bolts that are along the top part of the dash near the windshield
12. carefully remove the entire dash pad from the car.
*if the dash doesn't want to come out, chances are you missed a screw or bolt, so just carefully look around the edges of the dash pad for what you may have missed*
13. remove the two torx bolts holding the gauge cluster in place
14. carefully pull up on the gauge cluster to disengage it from the dash assembly
15. use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pop the wiring harness plug out from the back of the gauge cluster

*to remove the plastic cover over the gauge cluster simply carefully pop it off carefully*

installation is the reverse of removal

*when you re-install the gauge cluster be sure that you plug the wiring harness back into the back of the gauge cluster and that it is plugged in tightly*

Once you remove the dash pad a few times it shouldn't take more than about five minutes to remove it. It's really simple once you've done it a couple times.

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Saturday, May 27, 2006 4:27 PM

sandmanx

you're my hero

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Sunday, May 28, 2006 6:04 AM

Mr. Dirtbag

that was a good writeup, but you managed to miss out the two 7mm brass screws holding the airbag cover in place

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Sunday, May 28, 2006 8:02 AM

Carrie B.

sandmanx wrote:You're my hero .

you're welcome!

Mr. Dirtbag wrote:That was a good writeup, but you managed to miss the two 7mm brass screws holding the airbag cover in place

Why would you need to remove the air bag cover to get to the gauge cluster?

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Sunday, May 28, 2006 8:08 AM

Mr. Dirtbag

J TO ENVY wrote:Why would you need to remove the air bag cover to get to the gauge cluster?

the "air bag cover" (metal piece, i'll admit poor description) is fixed to the underside of the dash. You can tug and tug but unless you remove the two brass screw you aren't going anywhere. If it wasn't there you'd blow the dash apart when the airbag was deployed.

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Sunday, May 28, 2006 4:00 PM

Carrie B.

Mr. Dirtbag wrote:The "air bag cover" (metal piece, I'll admit poor description) is fixed to the underside of the dash. You can tug and tug but unless you remove the two brass screw you aren't going anywhere. If it wasn't there you'd blow the dash apart when the airbag was deployed .

I see what you're saying now.

J TO ENVY wrote:11. remove the torx bolts that are along the top part of the dash near the windshield

I meant to include the brass bolts in step 11, but I forgot to type "brass" in there. It should have said, "remove the torx and brass bolts that are along the top part of the dash near the windshield." My bad

Re: How to install gauge overlay....

Monday, May 29, 2006 6:42 AM

ned (03WhItEeCo)

good write up. this is going to come in pretty handy in a couple weeks

SIG coming to an org near you!!!

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