dog321fish Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Hi is it possible to replace this bulb without dismantling the dash to remove the instrument cluster ? Is it an mot failure if not working ? Thanks Dave Edited July 19, 2014 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEIL W Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Dave, The Haynes manual ( not always the bible of diy ) states you take off the lower steering cover - remove a couple of screws & the instrument panel comes out so no need to remove the dash top. I can scan the page if you want. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 IIRC (no warranty implied or given) Remove bottom black steering column, 2 screws, don't think you have too but buys some sclack Use a hook to pull out the fan and rear window switches, can leave them hanging on the wires Undo the screws, 1 each side, visible through the switch holes that hold that panel Then undo the two screws, one each side holding the metal tabs from the instrument binnacle Undo the two screws in the top of the shroud accessed uphill in front of the instruments Pull headlight switch half out Lift shroud up There is a bit more messing than that and have to be careful not to crack the panel holding the switches and putting screws back in wrong holes is a bad idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) If it is 1st registered on or after April 1986 It can be a MOT test failiure if it is not working or if it stays on. Edited July 19, 2014 by Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Neil W a scan would be good thanks. Mantadoc and Julian thanks for the info. What a faff to change a bulb, it has only lasted 31 years ! Edited July 19, 2014 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEIL W Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumster Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Neil W a scan would be good thanks. Mantadoc and Julian thanks for the info. What a faff to change a bulb, it has only lasted 31 years ! See if it's still covered on the warranty!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Thank Neil W, these instructions are for an early model. Borrowed Haynes manual and pages 271/272 seem to cover mine. Stumped on 14.83 note posn of htr cont cables, pull out the levers and unhook the cables and controls ? Never thought of that plumster ;-) Edited July 20, 2014 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 IF the dash has never been out the heater control cables are fixed to the back plastic where they cross it with a circular self grip washer thing. they are a PITA. Most are missing. I would not be bothering to undo those and fully remove dash to do this job, just shroud. Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) I do not think dash removal is covered in the Haynes manual, if it is I can not find it ! I suppose the heater ducting is the pita if I go this way ? Edited July 20, 2014 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I do not think dash removal is covered in the Haynes manual, if it is I can not find it ! I suppose the heater ducting is the pita if I go this way ? I have no idea why you would want to as has been said by other and myself on here, all you need to do is remove the cowling. If with the cowling off you cannot access the bulb, undo 4 more screws holding the plastic instrument cluster down to raise it enough to access them. There is no need to worry about heater ducting at all. There is information in this thread that very clearly says what needs to happen to do this job (is does not matter that the scans show the old 4 dial with regards to accessing the cluster. If you do not understand what is written in the thread and can't see how to do it by looking at it it is probably best not to start and leave it to someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) With the cowling off and the 4 screws holding the plastic instrument cluster down removed, there still is no access, as the heater controls and cables are still holding the instrument cluster firmly in position at the right hand end ? I do not want to use brute force and break anything. Edited July 21, 2014 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 The heater cables and mechanism are held onto the cluster by two screws. Undo these and pull out the controls. You will be left with this once you remove the controls and you can then remove the cluster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Thank you Snowy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Thank you Snowy. Once you have undone the screws it does take a fair pull to get it to release. Have a close look and you'll see exactly how it is retained. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) Job done, thanks again. how much would a dealer charge to replace one of the instrument cluster bulbs ? One hour min labour ? or more ? Edited July 22, 2014 by dog321fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Job done, thanks again. how much would a dealer charge to replace one of the instrument cluster bulbs ? One hour min labour ? or more ? How did you end up doing it in the end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 I was under the mistaken impression you accessed the bulbs from the rear of the instrument panel ! Once the cowling was removed and the plastic lens in front of the instruments there they were !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I was under the mistaken impression you accessed the bulbs from the rear of the instrument panel ! Once the cowling was removed and the plastic lens in front of the instruments there they were !! I did wonder why you wanted to remove the entire assembly. Glad you got it sorted though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Most if not all of the bulbs are in twist in bulb holders easily accessed from the rear without removing or dismantling the cluster IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog321fish Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Not on an 1983 1.8S Manta Berlinetta ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Dude I once not only told some one from 400 miles away which track would be blown on their instrument cluster circuit board, I could tell then they had the up to '82 6 clock circuit board so if yes, even on an 83. Pop cowling off and you can see them through the screen. The square brown things, 3 either side of central clock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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