Instrument cluster removal

[ST3]

Hi guys,

I've got some nasty dried condensation on my B8.5 behind the plastic covering my speedo, I've only been able to find DIY's for the trim removal.

I assume it's removed with a few torx screws, after remove the plastic trim?

I shouldn't have any problems if I unplug, clean, and replace?

[blbroo]

Hi guys,

I've got some nasty dried condensation on my B8.5 behind the plastic covering my speedo, I've only been able to find DIY's for the trim removal.

I assume it's removed with a few torx screws, after remove the plastic trim?

I shouldn't have any problems if I unplug, clean, and replace?

I'd make sure to not put the key in with it unplugged. May get an error that needs vcds or a scan tool to clear. Unless you have one of those

[The Infiltrator]

Hi guys,

I've got some nasty dried condensation on my B8.5 behind the plastic covering my speedo, I've only been able to find DIY's for the trim removal.

I assume it's removed with a few torx screws, after remove the plastic trim?

I shouldn't have any problems if I unplug, clean, and replace?

I an doing a color DIS retrofit and just got a new one for this. I wanted to open it and clean the inside also but I found that the clear screen is plasticking welded onto the frame. So the only way is to take a hot thin knife and slide it along the welds to break them to get inside. Glue it back on and you're good.

But yeah you'll have to take off the 5 screws to get to the screen.

[Gunnark100]

I an doing a color DIS retrofit and just got a new one for this. I wanted to open it and clean the inside also but I found that the clear screen is plasticking welded onto the frame. So the only way is to take a hot thin knife and slide it along the welds to break them to get inside. Glue it back on and you're good.

But yeah you'll have to take off the 5 screws to get to the screen.

Not welded, no need hot knife or glue:)

[The Infiltrator]

Not welded, no need hot knife or glue:)

You know what I mean. It's melted to the clear cover. Pulling it off will break.

[Gunnark100]

I know what you mean, but: "So the only way is to take a hot thin knife and slide it along the welds to break them to get inside"

I unscrew everything from front+back, cant remember was there more screws after i removed back(6) or not and i was in:)!

Only from front , yes you cant!

I replaced front screen with my old one, a bit better condition!

[The Infiltrator]

I know what you mean, but: "So the only way is to take a hot thin knife and slide it along the welds to break them to get inside"

I unscrew everything from front+back, cant remember was there more screws after i removed back(6) or not and i was in:)!

Only from front , yes you cant!

I replaced front screen with my old one, a bit better condition!

So you're saying you got inside by unscrewing everything and didn't have to take the clear screen off?

[Gunnark100]

So you're saying you got inside by unscrewing everything and didn't have to take the clear screen off?

Im saying, that your solution to clean inside is probably faster, but i did not unmelt anything or used clue, after unscrew 6 back screws there was more screws inside(if im correct- year ago), finaly front cover with screen will be appart from back and you can clean aswell! The end!

[The Infiltrator]

Im saying, that your solution to clean inside is probably faster, but i did not unmelt anything or used clue, after unscrew 6 back screws there was more screws inside(if im correct- year ago), finaly front cover with screen will be appart from back and you can clean aswell! The end!

Relax man, I'm asking because I took the front off with the 5 screws to get tot he screen and saw what was needed. If you're saying going through the back is possible I might try that, I want to clean mine before install.

[Gunnark100]

Relax man, I'm asking because I took the front off with the 5 screws to get tot he screen and saw what was needed. If you're saying going through the back is possible I might try that, I want to clean mine before install.

Its not always possible:)

[The Infiltrator]

Its not always possible:)

Update: The 8 screws in the back take it right off and you are at the gauges to clean. Thanks, Gunnark100!

[Gunnark100]

Update: The 8 screws in the back take it right off and you are at the gauges to clean. Thanks, Gunnark100!

More screws inside if i remember - not quick entering:)

[The Infiltrator]

Nope, easy! 8 screws and lift the 4 tabs to slide out.


And you're in.

[Gunnark100]

Yes now

[The Infiltrator]

Yes now

..

[ST3]

Awesome, thanks guys.

[belzebutt]

I was looking for a DIY for this for a long time, thanks! What are the steps to actually take off the cluster? You remove the MMI surround, you remove the vent surround (making sure the vent doesn't explode). Then how many screws hold the instrument cluster and where are they? Any tricks to taking off the connection? Oh yea and I'm talking about the B8, I don't know if it's different than B8.5.

[The Infiltrator]

I was looking for a DIY for this for a long time, thanks! What are the steps to actually take off the cluster? You remove the MMI surround, you remove the vent surround (making sure the vent doesn't explode). Then how many screws hold the instrument cluster and where are they? Any tricks to taking off the connection? Oh yea and I'm talking about the B8, I don't know if it's different than B8.5.

Pretty much what you said. It's pretty much a straight to the point mod that you can't screw up, besides the driver vent.

B8.5 the whole cluster trim comes off in one piece.


B8 Steps:
1. Take off the trim on the right side of the cluster (the part that goes around the screen).
2. Close the driver side vent so if it does fall apart, it holds all the pieces, then remove it.
3. The plastic piece between the lower part of the cluster and steering column, remove that.
4. There's 3 screws holding the cluster on, remove those.
5. Pop the cluster out and be careful not to pull too much since the wires are short.
6. Disconnect the harness in the back of the cluster.
7. Repeat backwards for install.

Pics of my install are on page 8 of my build thread. I didn't do a DIY though.

[belzebutt]

Pretty much what you said. It's pretty much a straight to the point mod that you can't screw up, besides the driver vent.

B8.5 the whole cluster trim comes off in one piece.


B8 Steps.
1. Take off the trim on the right side of the cluster (the part that goes around the screen).
2. Close the driver side vent so if it does fall apart, it holds all the pieces, then remove it.
3. The plastic piece between the lower part of the cluster and steering column, remove that.
4. There's 4 screws holding the cluster on, remove those.
5. Pop the cluster out and be careful not to pull too much since the wires are short.
6. Disconnect the harness in the back of the cluster.
7. Repeat backwards for install.

Pics of my install are on page 8 of my build thread. I didn't do a DIY though.

I think I tried this once and I got stuck at the plastic piece below the "Set"/"0.0" buttons. Does it just pop/pull out, no clips or anything?
The 4 screws after that, they're easy to see around the 4 corners, nothing hidden that requires a long skinny Torx screw driver?
Are the clips just a standard tab you press or is there some pulley system I need to watch for?

Yea it's probably way easier than I expect, just making sure... those things take 30 seconds if you know what you're doing but 30 min the first time. :)

[The Infiltrator]

I did it in about 15 min (30 min to put the vent back together) and never did it before. I think it's more of a common sense and puzzle skills type of mod. You'll do fine.

[shaunm82]

I was the same. It's all just standard clips on the trim, everything should just pop out.

The cluster should only be held on by 3 screws, two in the top corners and one in the center underneath the DIS.

[The Infiltrator]

I was the same. It's all just standard clips on the trim, everything should just pop out.

The cluster should only be held on by 3 screws, two in the top corners and one in the center underneath the DIS.

3? huh, I can't remember, that's why you're my backup.

[belzebutt]

One last question: should you disconnect the battery before you unplug this thing?

[The Infiltrator]

One last question: should you disconnect the battery before you unplug this thing?

No

[belzebutt]

So it's done. It only took 5 minutes or so to remove it, that plastic piece above the steering wheels is very hard to pull out, and the biggest risk seems to be losing the center screw somewhere inside the steering column. And then there's the side air vent you have to be careful about. Restoring the glass is another story, I spent about 2 hours cleaning and polishing it with watch polish, which gets rid of most of the scratches, but when you wipe that off you always create some new swirls and it's almost impossible to get rid of all the smudges because they're hard to see unless you look at them at the right angles. Now it looks new-ish if not exactly like new. :) It's an improvement and at least there's no more dust inside.