Instrument Cluster is happy where it is

[briwayjones]

Hi All!

My Dad and I got a 1988 W150 that we're fixing up. I'm trying to get the instrument cluster out but so far haven't been able to. There doesn't seem to be any slack in the wiring harness. I have all the screws out of the cluster, it moves freely, but there just seems to be no slack in the wiring. I can only pull it out an inch or two. Is there some place the harness is clipped that you have to undo or something?

 

[jtpasto]

Un-hook the speedometer cable.

 

[David Vandercook]

Yes, I just did this on mine. You need to take and disconnect the speedometer cable. Once you can get to the speedometer cable it will pull out a couple more inches so you can get to the other wires easier. It's a super frustrating job. Try to fix everything in there so you don't have to take it out again...

 

[briwayjones]

Yes, I just did this on mine. You need to take and disconnect the speedometer cable. Once you can get to the speedometer cable it will pull out a couple more inches so you can get to the other wires easier. It's a super frustrating job. Try to fix everything in there so you don't have to take it out again...

Thanks. The problem is how do I do that? I can't even get my hand in behind the cluster. I originally looked up underneath to see if I could see what was going on back there but there was so much wiring I couldn't get up there. I'll have to get under there and look again more thoroughly.

 

[David Vandercook]

You might just have to use a bit of force to pull it out enough so you can get to the speedometer cable. Try pulling on the right side though so you don't break the cable fitting. Maybe you could use a mirror or your phone's camera to see what's in there better. Double check to make sure you got all the screws out and clips undone.

 

[jtpasto]

Look for the speedometer cable on the engine side of the firewall. Push the cable toward the gage cluster to get enough slack to unlatch the cable.