Hi Guys, my 1978 RHD GT4's dash is not good, I have no lights on any of the instruments, the clock is broken and so on. So I want to remove the instrument panel and fix it all.. I tried to sort it last weekend, i removed the steering wheel but still the aluminium panel is too large to come out easily with the gauges. And there doesn't seem to be a lot/any room behind the gauges for the wiring loom. The speedo is already a little ropy and the bezel comes off easily if the rear of the gauge is knocked. What is the best way to remove the dash and refit it? Is it easy to lower the steering column? Kind regards Nick
maybe pull the alu panels and check the bulbs? fuses, relays etc before you take the dash out? I think removing the steering wheel was not necessary at this point
No the clock needs replacing as the bezel is damaged, managed to be a NOS stock one on ebay yesterday. I think i will pull the whole dash out and sort it all out for once and for all. IIRC once the dash's end panels are removed there are nits behind, which once removed allow the removal of the whole dash assembly.
Nick you might want to test the rheostat first,my was faulty in my old GT4 and I lost all my dash lights completely,I just bypassed the rheostat and the dash lights were magic
It's a right pita to lower the steering column. I think if you can get a hand in behind and undo the clamp screws on the longest instrument (tacho I think) you can pull that out and then there is just about enough space to get the rest of the panel out. If you have to lower the column you need to remove the trim piece under the column and then there are a couple of fairly inaccessible horizontal bolts which only go in one way. You will need to support the column on something whilst you are undoing them. You definitely need the steering wheel removed. I replaced all the bulbs (except the ignition) with leds on mine. Not 100% happy with the colour choice, but it's certainly a lot brighter.
Umm, going to give it a go this weekend and see what happens. I am thinking loosening the whole dash and raising it slightly might be an easier option than messing with the steering column.
Nick, it will come out as my suggestion on FB. Don’t move the dash, remove wheel and if needed the trim around, it will come but it is fiddly. You have to take off the lugs on the heater controls and the light switches on the right. I have had mine out a few times. It’s also fairly easy to lower/ loosen the steering column
Hi Gav Thanks for the message! When my car was restored a few years back the screen was replaced and the dash removed. When it was replaced nothing felt right, the vents didn't move properly and nothing seemed to fit behind the gauges. the clock has a broken bezel and its all a little ... tired. The dash is only held in by 6 nuts, 2 at each end and 2 in the middle. So it comes out REALLY easily! I have taken the steering wheel off and undone the 6 nuts, the dash lifts up and the dash instrument panel pulls really easily. some of the captive nuts on the dash are broken, the fog light switch needs replacing, the aircon fan seems to "grind" at high speed so I guess, its a job long overdue, I dont have any storage space left on here, so I cant post pics, but I'll put some on facebook. I managed to get a NOS clock off ebay for £70. Fitting led dash lights, bypassing the variable light switch, and securing the loom out of the way behind the dials
The dash was quite easy to remove, 5 8mm nuts hold it in place, 3 are accessed from inside the glove box, the other 2 are accessed from underneath and a flexi 13mm socket I'm glad I got it out, all the bolts holding the steering column in place were loose and 1 was missing. The dash was also pushed back towards the screen way too much. Its made of a really brittle black plastic, looks really cheap from underneath. I've reglued all vinyl back on underneath and as most of my captive nuts that hold the aluminium panel in place and broken off, I've made a frame with new 5mm captive nuts built in. I am guessing when the car was assembled the dash would have been installed complete with gauges, so that is hopefully the way I can get it back in to the car once all the bits turn up. i Image Unavailable, Please Login
The dash went back in last night, it is a bit of a squeeze to get over the steering column, but slots in nicely. Prior to refitting I cabled tied the loom to the bulkhead. The wiring loom still had the original ties on, and I guess the holes in the bulkhead where they went. So hopefully the gauges should all fit in nicely now.
Hi Guys I am trying to trace the wires for the lamp plug (https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/PagesExternal/ViewExploded.aspx?PageID=730) that is located under the dash. There are 2 greys and a black. I can't find the wires in the schematic, any idea what it might trace back to? it would be nice to get it powered up and working.
Yes, funny you should say that as it caused me no-end of problems when one fuse had a short to ground and I couldn't figure out where. The grey wire is on the same fuse as the radio and interior lights. IIRC it loops through the aux power plug and then into the console between the seats, but be sure not to short it to the body and the black (there were 3 live terminals on mine and someone had connected the 3 wires to them)! I replaced my socket with a new one, as it was a bit tired and overheated looking, and bought an adapter to power my phone.
