Replacing Instrument Cluster
 

Most instruction manuals say to remove your steering wheel (and airbag) to remove the instrument cluster. This is entirely unnecessary. Took me maybe 5 to 10 minutes by using the following way. Faster than removing the interior panels, steering wheel, and air bag.

Warning, do not force anything. If you can't get it position right move it and try again. Adjusting the steering wheel helps. When you get it right it slides out easily with no major effort or rubbing. You never have to force anything, like tugging on the steering wheel, etc.

1. With the ignition key turned off, remove the wire from the negative battery terminal.
2. Get in the car, insert key and turn far enough to unlock steering wheel.
3. Remove the knobs on either side of the dash (fog and headlights) by twisting counter clockwise and unthreading them.
4. Remove two screws holding instrument [gauge] cluster. They are located above the cluster in plain site. Use a torx wrench of appropriate size, or a 3mm hex wrench also works.
5. Slide the gauges forward, it might be easier by trying to get your finger underneath them at the top.
6. Rotate the steering wheel slightly clockwise ( the top of the airbag is like \ ) Pull the gauge out slightly on the right side.
7. Unhook the wire on the right side by flipping the lever up (you have to press in on the tab on the back to flip the lever), the lever will pull it most of the way out. Pull it the rest of the way out.
8. Push the cluster back into place (don't damage the wire).
9. Rotate the steering wheel slightly counter clockwise (so it looks like / ) and slide the gauge partially out on the left side, it helps to lean the top forward. Remove the two wires by pressing in on the tab and flipping the levers up.
10. Return the wheel to center and position the cluster face down against the steering wheel with the screw tabs on the front/top of the gauge hooked on the front of the air bag.
11. Slowly rotate the wheel counter clockwise until you can slide the cluster out between the left side by the high beam/blinker switch.
12. Install in reverse order.

I will try to post some pictures later.

Some differences
 

Thanks, That basically worked for me.

I would stress the don't force anything.

I found the cluster was a tight squeeze, so I needed to remove the bezel as well.

To do this I had to remove 2 additional screws behind the bezels for the light switches.

Also and I had to separate the light switches from the bezel by pressing in on a tab on each. This leaves the light switches wired up but out of the bezel. I did the same with the indicator bulbs for the lights.

Then I had 3 connectors with the lever to undo on the back of the cluster.

Everything else was as you said.

This is on a 98 ti with sport package.

it was a great write up i used it as well with no problems i also found a site with pictures to help me a little more.

where is that website with pictures you are talking about?

pictures please pictures or video.!!!!!

Did you notice that this thread has not been replied to in 4 years???

pictures and video please...!!!!

I know this is an old post, but have to say Thanks! The prev owner had removed the bulb for "Check Engine Light" which is an automatic emissions failure in PA. Took me more time to remove the neg terminal from the battery due to corrosion than to remove and reinstall the cluster.

Lamp Counts for this
 

Just did this job. The instructions here were very useful. I spent more time getting the cluster back in than anything else-the blue harness connector was very difficult for me-using a mirror and working from the left side helped enormously.

I'd also recommend liberal use of something like blue painter's tape to protect the face of the cluster as well as the hood-especially the bottom, where the cluster slides out. The plastic scratches amazingly easily.

The counts at RealOEM are reliable-you need 3 of the big lamps (P/N 07119905358), which pull out of their green bases. These are general gauge lighting.

-You need 2 of the beige base lamps (P/N 62111391260), odometer and SI display.

-RealOEM is mum, though, on the subject of the black base lamps (P/N 62131383311), which are used for individual alerts, but my USA cluster, '98 Sport, manual transmission, needs 16. Naturally, they're one of the pricier ones! A great place to use your CCA discount.


Thanks much for help on this.

-ajs

www.saboedraws.com

Old thread but I generally remove the plastic housing around the steering column too.
I also remove the fog light knob.