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Mon May 17, 2010 12:27 pm

Do I need to remove dash to get to all the wires under the dash? I'm looking for missing/dead wires/bad connections. If I don't remove the dash is there a easy way to get to them?

Mon May 17, 2010 1:04 pm

You should be able to get to everything easily enough by removing the instrument panel (or at least pulling it out a bit.)

To do that:
1. disconnect battery
2. remove steering wheel
3. remove heater/fresh air control levers
4. remove four screws that hold in the instrument panel

Lots of room to work, now!

Mon May 17, 2010 1:05 pm

Pull the Instrument cluster and remove the glove box, that will give semi easy access to just about every thing. I have found if a lot of work or searching needs to be done from below/under the dash then having the steering wheel off is handy.

Oh you are a fast typer, although i leave the battery connected, makes testing easier with power.

Mon May 17, 2010 1:13 pm

It seems to me that if you totally removed the whole dash it would make the job harder because a lot of the wiring connects to the dash. Follow the advice already given and you should be fine. You might also remove the radio.

Mon May 17, 2010 1:35 pm

To answer your question, there are 2 or 3 bolts on each side of the dash and then 6-8 little bolts at the base of the windshield. They are a pain to get out. The dash itself is three pieces (not counting glove box and instrument pod). While it's out you can check for rust, re-do the top of the dash (sand, primer, paint, etc...) and of course get into electricals.

Just make sure you remember how to put it back together!

Mon May 17, 2010 2:09 pm

I redid my wiring in the dash when my front windshield was out, also removed the plate between the dash and window. Then i could see everything perfect, it made the job pretty easy.
So if you suspect rust underneath your windshield, get it out and take care of that too :D Makes the other job easier :p

Mon May 17, 2010 2:13 pm

Removing the steel top of the dash makes a lot of life nice and easy. Although it takes a while to remove that top panel.

Tue May 18, 2010 5:34 am

But how do I remove heater/fresh air control levers?

Tue May 18, 2010 5:50 am

Take the glove box out and the radio. Figure out if the colored control knobs will come off. Some years are different I seem to think. Then look at where the levers are attached inside. A good time to evaluate your fresh air/heater control cables' function and ease of moblity.

Tue May 18, 2010 6:13 am

griest77 wrote: But how do I remove heater/fresh air control levers?

In my 1972 bay you just pull them out. If you remove the top steel plate, you will see how they are attached, just pushid in a lever actually.

Tue May 18, 2010 8:20 am

griest77 wrote: But how do I remove heater/fresh air control levers?

only remove the steel plate and you should have plenty of acces, the cluster will be a bitch(sorta) to wire back up if totally removed, but the glove box is easy so id do that. and the metal speaker panel....no need to remove the levers from the face.

Tue May 18, 2010 8:51 am

This may seem like a Gizmo Gearloose thing but I just bent the ends of the heat/fresh air levers straight and slid the cluster out.

Tue May 18, 2010 9:06 am

griest77 wrote: But how do I remove heater/fresh air control levers?
Have you read your service manual? :P

Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:00 am

Hi New to the formum and to owning a bus.
I’ve just taken the instrument panel off my T2 1977 Import so I could re attach some lights. All good.
But there were only 2 clips ( 2 missing I think)holding the panel firm once screws went back on and I can’t see how these attach? Any guidance would be appreciated
Cheers

Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:19 am

Rjthj1 wrote: Hi New to the formum and to owning a bus.
I’ve just taken the instrument panel off my T2 1977 Import so I could re attach some lights. All good.
But there were only 2 clips ( 2 missing I think)holding the panel firm once screws went back on and I can’t see how these attach? Any guidance would be appreciated
Cheers
Welcome!

Good job on finding a relevant thread to post in too! Have a look at this, it may help: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200

Sat Sep 05, 2020 8:41 pm

Rjthj1 wrote: Hi New to the formum and to owning a bus.
I’ve just taken the instrument panel off my T2 1977 Import so I could re attach some lights. All good.
But there were only 2 clips ( 2 missing I think)holding the panel firm once screws went back on and I can’t see how these attach? Any guidance would be appreciated
Cheers

The clips that hold the dash cluster tend to fall off when the cluster is removed, they may just be sitting on the bottom rim of the dash or are on the floor. You should be able to find some form of replacement at you local hardware store or a decent FLAPS.

When working under the dash an old towel laid on the floor and maybe even a second towel roll up for a pillow can make life a bit better.

Sun Sep 06, 2020 7:19 am

Thanks the suggestions. And best way to put a clip back in... doesn’t seem to be easy or logical?

Sun Sep 06, 2020 8:41 am

Get it started on the screw a few turns with the cluster in your lap, then once the cluster is in place rotate the screw so the clip is over the lip of the dash and pull out on the screw, keep pulling out as you tighten.

Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:04 pm

Was just trying to figure out here how to reply to a specific reply. Couldn't
So thanks!

Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:05 pm

Was just trying to figure out here how to reply to a specific reply. Couldn't
So thanks!