Guages and Dash-Cap

[Kirby]

Hey,

My car has a dash cap, and I went to remove the tach and speedo today, but they dont clear the capping. What shall i do? short of removing the dash cap, or dash itself?

-Kirby

[sblake01]

The tach and speedo come out through the front of the dash. Since the dash cap goes into those openings, the only way to remove the guages is to first remove the dash cap. I had the same problem on my Z. I actually had to replace my dash cap when I changed my tach because I cracked it in a couple of places when I removed it.

[Kirby]

The tach and speedo come out through the front of the dash. Since the dash cap goes into those openings, the only way to remove the guages is to first remove the dash cap. I had the same problem on my Z. I actually had to replace my dash cap when I changed my tach because I cracked it in a couple of places when I removed it.

I just gave up and pulled the dash out, and removed the speedo and tacho the reverse way. Im also cleaning up the loom and replacing the heater hoses. Probably better this way.

[sblake01]

While you're in there, check the heater valve, clamps, etc., anything that you can get to more easily with the dash out. It'll save you some hassle later. (Trust me on that one!)

[EScanlon]

While you're in there, ...snip...anything that you can get to more easily with the dash out. It'll save you some hassle later. (Trust me on that one!)

Stephen,

I borrowed the last line and made a subtle adjustment to it.

E

Kirby:

Think of all the items you've seen discussed on the site.

Instrument lights, check them now for darkened and burnt out ones. Personally, I would replace them all, not cheap, but in the long term, cheap insurance.

Check for any wiring connections that are showing frayed or cut.

Unplug and replug every electrical connection to make sure that it is snug and insulated and makes good contact.

WASH the insides of the defrost and vent hoses, the car will smell better.

Check the foam gasketing on the center vent, it will undoubtedly need replacing (the foam around the connector from the plenum to the HCP).

Lubricate the cables for the heater controls.

Check your fresh air vent cables and vents themselves.

And that's just off the top of my head. I'm sure you'll get a few more people chiming in with their own personal PITA favorite.

Enrique

[Ed]

To add a little to Enrique's post:

Check the flapper doors on the heater core. They have foam backed vinyl pads that are glued to the doors and act as seals. On mine these came off and were obstructing the flow of air.

[Kirby]

To add a little to Enrique's post:

Check the flapper doors on the heater core. They have foam backed vinyl pads that are glued to the doors and act as seals. On mine these came off and were obstructing the flow of air.

The heater system is getting a complete overhaul. the cables that adjust the water flow valve (or whatever its called) dont function, and when you switch the lever all the way to the left, and the flap should open up on the back of the fan blower unit should open. it doesnt. Im gonna do this right the first time.

As for the dash loom i'm gonna return as much wiring as i can back to original. theres some patching, for example some of the GW leads are patched into the RL power line. I pulled out the wiring diagram and set this bad boy up on a peice of wood with a soldering iron, heatshrink and a mutimeter, nice little project to keep me busy.