hey everyone, myself and my brother decided to update the lighting system on our '89 RS, we replaced every single light on the rearend, looking a lot better now. We have also replaced the front low-beams with Sylvania HID's, and plan on replacing the high beams, and blinkers up front. And here's the troublesome part. There are a good few lights out in the gauge cluster (probably 6, lol). but in the process of getting them out by simply pulling them out, it wasnt easy. so we took the alternative approach, taking off the dash pad so we could take out the whole cluster assembly. so we got everything good to go, faceplate cover off, etc.. And on the cluster there are 4 retaining nuts/bolts, two on top that are easy to get out, and then two in the bottom where the check engine light, and handbrake light are i believe, but they're back in those areas. These are the problem, i dont know if we have the right size socket or whats going on but they're not coming out, so do any of you guys know what size those are? or how to get them out? we think its between 7 and 10MM (8-9MM more specific) Thanks for any help! also, is there a light in the A/C controls? because ours dont light up.

 

I don't quite follow what you're taking apart on the cluster, or why. The gauge cluster will come out as a unit from the front. And you don't need to remove the dash pad either. After removing the front dash cluster trim, there are a few screws that hold the gauge cluster on. You need to disconnect the speedo cable first, then the cluster can pull forward. It's kinda tricky getting it out, but it will just make it. If you have tilt wheel, lower it all the way down. Then you can pull the cluster out and rotate/tilt it out towards the right side of the steering column. You'll swear it won't want to clear, but it will. You just have to find the right combination of turn-tilt-twist. The bulbs all go in from the back side of the cluster, and you might not even have to take it all the way out to replace the bulbs.

 

x2. although i had a hell of a time trying to get the speedo cable back on. for that i highly suggest unhooking it from the trans to give you extra slack in the line. i didnt do that and it took a lot of cursing screaming for me to get it on...you might be able to get it on easier than me though...idk i just had a hard time

 

yes, thats what im trying to do, take it out from the front. the Haynes repair manual says to take off the dashpad, so we did. im talking about the lower retaining nuts that are in the "pocket" where the check engine light and one other one are when the faceplate is on. hopefully that is easier to follow. thanks

 

x3 but its kinda easy to get the cable theres a lil tab on the bottom use a long flathead screw driver and push it towards the gauges and pull on the cable at the same time.. to install just push it in.