CORRECTED//instrument cluster repair, #2 done, helpful (to me!) additional tips

[Eric Huppert]

Gentlemen,

Finishing up my second instrument cluster "surgery". Same as the first one,
intermittent blinker glowing, high beam indicator screwy etc etc. This IC
was less intermittent than the last, but one smack on the dash is too many,
especially when one knows what the problem is.

Couple of tips on top of Phil's excellent instructions...

Every IC I've ever removed on these cars seems to get hung up on the small
circuit board behind the fuel gauge. It hangs down just enough to catch and
doesn't allow a straight pull. Either pushing the dash cover up or
prying/pushing up on bottom of this area will get the assy out. Then again,
sometimes the north south, east west shuffle pops it right out!

The green blinker covers tend to fall out when you start reassembly. A small
dab of weather-strip adhesive (or something of that sort) on the side will
keep them in place.

The rear cover tends to hang up a little bit as it slides onto the pins.
Last IC dissection I got rammy, pushed too hard thinking it was the pins and
broke the clock circuit board (don't worry, it aggravates me every time I
try to check the non-functioning clock. It must be 5:06 somewhere?) This
time I was much gentler, but I also took the two nuts off and gently lifted
the LIGHT RHEOSTAT assy up and engaged the push rod in the socket while
ensuring nothing was binding.

Another thing, if you're over that 40 mark and can't see worth cr#@ a lit
magnifying glass and plenty of light (in addition to reading glasses) is
quite helpful.

Happy soldering and be gentle!

Eric