help removing gauge cluster

I need help removing the gauge cluster in my 70 sportwagon. I got a gauge cluster to replace my broken one. it has the the full gauges minus the tac. how do I remove my old old properly? also how do I hook up the wires for the temp and oil? it has most of the wiring attached. any help would be greatful. :rant: :TU: ou:

 

You'll want to remove the dash pad first. Two screws on the driver's side. Then there are 3-4 spring clips that hold the dash on.

After that you should be able to see all the little screws that need to be removed. I think there are 8. Now you should be able to move it out a bit. Next reach back there and pop the speedo cable off. That should give you some more movement. Now it's just removing/unhooking everything else. Just be vewy vewy careful as all that plastic is 35 years old.

 

You also should have 2 nuts(3/8 socket) to remove before you take the dash pad off.You will have to remove the glovebox liner to get to these.If you look up toward the windshield,you will see the one and the other points directly toward the engine bay.Also when you take the cluster loose the wiring harness has 2 J hooks that hold the wiring in place.be careful as these break easy.You can get a shallow socket on them and loosen the nuts.Another smart idea is to loosen the steering column down(2 9/16 nuts) and let it hang down a bit.What I usually do is to take the radio plate off and loosen the radio so you can access the heater control screws(3/8) and loosen them from the cluster instead of taking all of the cables loose and it makes it easier to do.If you have more questions just ask,we'll help.
Pat

 

OK guys thanks for the help. now i need to know where the plug that comes off the back of the rally gauges goes. it has 2 pink wires and a black wire? i know i need new sending units so the gauges work. :rant: ou: o No:

 

Read my article, should have all the info you need.

http://www.buickperformance.com/cluster.htm

 

Here is the gage pack article:

http://www.buickperformance.com/rallygage.htm

 

2 pink wires and a black wire???????

Black wire is ground for the gage pack.

2 pink wires in a clear plastic female connector is for the
speed-alert speedo.

 

very helpful article thanks. :laugh:

 

when i bought my car last year i picked up another cluster that i didn't use because it was as bad as mine. then came the rally gauges in better shape so iused them. the surrond on my cluster was pretty beat

 

Those articals from George are the best :TU: He deserves a big time thumbs-up! Save my dash :laugh:

 

Thanks George!

I would have destroyed the dash if I had not looked at your article first...

 

Does anyone know if the 70-72 is close to the 68-69. I have to replace the dash pad on my 69 and the service manual isnt much help.

 

I have seen a 69 Skylark with a 70-2 Skylark cluster in it. Looked great.
Was a direct bolt in since all the mounting points are the same. The 70-2 dash pad is slightly different but will work.