Debugging the fuel gauge.

[Valkman]

Do I have to remove the whole instrument panel to access the front of the gauge?

[1 Wild R/T]

Yup, it's really not hard... Remove the six screws holding the light panel above the cluster... I usually just swing that over the top & lay it carefully on the pad...  Now find the weakest masking tape you own... Mask the face of the dash on either side of the split between the light panel & the main bezel.... This prevents the all to common scratches on the face of the bezels...  A/C car? If so remove the duct below the steering column... Loosen the three 1/2" bolts at the base of the column that attach the plate to the firewall.... Next take the two 7/16" nuts &  washers securing the column to the bottom of the dash...  this will allow the column to drop... There are five screws securing the top of the bezels to the upper dash & five or six screws at the bottom of the dash bezel right down by the radio & heater controls.. They hide in little square recesses on the bottom of the bezels.... Once those are all removed the bezels should be loose, the switch panel comes out first & unplugging the wires can either be done from below the dash or by shifting the bezel enough to get your hand behind it to unplug stuff.... Pay attention but the plugs only go on one way...  After the switch bezel is out the main bezel rolls out & down.. Next four screws secure the cluster to the dash frame... Before you roll it out lay a towel over the column, this prevents scratching the dash and/or the column... Reach behind the cluster & unplug the speedometer cable, it has a tab/lever that you push down the pull lightly & the cable slides off.....  While the dash is out lube the cable... Now you can roll the cluster face down onto the column & disconnect the wires... Take the cluster to the bench...

[RUNCHARGER]

Excellent tutorial Randy: I might add if you can find a fuel gauge and get it restored you might want to do that before pulling the dash down. Just so you don't lose use of the car for awhile or have to do it twice.

[1 Wild R/T]

Excellent tutorial Randy: I might add if you can find a fuel gauge and get it restored you might want to do that before pulling the dash down. Just so you don't lose use of the car for awhile or have to do it twice.

Good point... From all reports the repo gauges are junk so find an original & have it restored...

[Valkman]

Thanks Wild R/T!

[1 Wild R/T]

Thanks Wild R/T!

Hey, I had to redeem myself for my Ford gauge specs gaff...

[Valkman]

Thanks Wild R/T!

Hey, I had to redeem myself for my Ford gauge specs gaff...

That's okay as I get older I have more brain farts as well, I won't if I could take something for that?