2004 LeSabre Tach/Speedo Failed: Access to Instrument Panel Cluster?

[Phil1104]

2004 LeSabre. Tach. failed about a year ago (needle floats). A few days ago, the speedometer needle started doing the same thing. After a little research, seems odds are the stepper motors for these gauges are bad. What I can't figure out is the step by step procedure to get to the Instrument Panel Cluster, i.e., which trim pieces to take off in what sequence, and how to take them off (seems like all fasteners are hidden?). I have seen posts which indicate that this has been covered in previous posts, but can't find the previous post that has the step by step instructions: appreciate it if someone could point me in the right direction. Also, if you have been through this, where did you buy the stepper motors (ebay?). Also thinking about re-lamping the cluster while I have it out: any guidance there would also be appreciated. THANKS!!!!!

 

[BumpinBuick]

you need to remove most of the dash.

1st - right piece of wooden trim. There's two screws in it by the glove box.

2nd - left piece of wood trim. No screws here.

3rd - large trim piece that surrounds the gauge cluster and radio. There are two screws in this one, to the right of the steering column and one to the right of the radio.

4th - the TOP of the dash is composed of two seperate trim pieces. One is the very front, right behind the windshield, and the other is the entire assembly under that. The top frontmost piece is just snapped in, although you'll have to remove the sensor wire when you take it out. The piece under/behind that has several screws running across the front of it that you will need to remove. I believe there's also a screw in the front right of this piece, and maybe another one somewhere else, it's been awhile and i'm doing this from memory.

5th - you'll have to jimmy that piece around a good bit to get it out.

6th - you should have access to the gauge cluster at this point. Despite all your previous efforts you'll still likely have to jimmy the steering wheel in order to remove the gauges.

Good luck and I hope my memory is as good as I think it is 🙂 You might have to remove the A pillars, if you do they just snap out, starting from the top.

If you just go slow and remember that almost everything there is held together with metal clips, you should be fine. If you feel extra resistance somewhere, find the screw. If this is your first time i'd budget about 2 hours to figure it all out.

I've done it so many times, i can probably to this faster than changing a tire 🙄

-bumpin

 

[BumpinBuick]

picture dash this far apart http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae168/martiandancer316/buick install/IMG_0179.jpg

http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae168/martiandancer316/buick install/IMG_0180.jpg

also, if you want to get really intense with your re-lamping, check out my LED re-lamp here:

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-...ians-2001-buick-build-log-10.html#post7879414