Removing the instrument cluster - 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

Removing the instrument cluster on a 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

[@lytleric]

Commenting to say THANK YOU for this video. I have a 1983 Caprice Estate and would have NEVER figured out the spring clip. You saved me hours of frustration. This is not at all described in the factory repair manual -- it just says "Reach behind instrument cluster and disconnect speedometer cable." Interestingly, on my '83, the clip is exactly upside down as compared to yours. Still worked the same though. And pointing out the small bolt on the wire connector was a time saver too. I was able to get everything out without removing the steering wheel, but still dropped the column. Thanks again!

[@LongologoProductions]

@Richard Lytle: Thanks for the kind words and so cool that it helped you out.

[@wesleyavant4002]

Great job explaining everything and pointing out the bolts/screws without rambling on for an hour

[@Dopefiend_willie_rp]

I find it very hard to believe you have to do all of that to replace a lightbulb

[@LongologoProductions]

@Hold on Jones: Yup! Good thing they basically lasted forever to begin with!

[@aaronfitch693]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@vgslife9640]

great vid

[@dogbarbill]

This will be great for me, I have a 1986 Caprice wagon I need to do speedo/odom work on, along with instrument lights. Also need to figure out why the gas gauge doesn't work. It stays on Full all the time.

[@jonhsmith2706]

Its probably your float that little plastic thing that the rod sit in probably broke

[@dogbarbill]

@@jonhsmith2706 Not an issue anymore. I got rid of the car.

[@jonhsmith2706]

@@dogbarbill lol I understand

[@DominiAeternum]

Great video!!! I need to do this, something wrong with the instrument lanel lighting. But wish the steering wheel removal & gear shifter drop was shown too.

[@LongologoProductions]

@Max Ax: Thanks! The steering wheel removal is in another video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6DKkmtuZpl-ec0. The gear shift and column drop are part of the removing the instrument cluster video. I think I have 18 videos about the Caprice now, all in a playlist.

[@DominiAeternum]

@@LongologoProductions I will check them all out. Thanks. My mechanic said low lights on the dash would be an electrical issue, not just a burnt bulb or something.

[@jaye_490]

I hate videos like this, they give me hope that I can do some of these things myself 😂😂😂. Great Vid though

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jaye _ : that’s because I edit out all the times I swear, all the skinned knuckles, and tools dropped on my head or feet....

[@jaye_490]

Longologo Productions great video though, I have a 73 Pontiac that I’m getting ready to swap the dash on. 🤞🏿 🤞🏿

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jaye _ : Good luck!

[@jackwadeiv956]

How do you reattach the speedometer cable? I cant get it realigned to plug it back in. Suggestions? I have an 83 Caprice Estate. I got it unclipped just to change 3 168 lightbulbs. Struggling mightily to reconnect the cable now.

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jack Wade IV: see my other video on reinstalling the instrument cluster at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2S9coGjZ96aqpI

[@jackwadeiv956]

@@LongologoProductions thanks. I got it. I wound up dropping the column and fished my hand up with long needle nose pliers. I gripped the end of the cable and used my other hand on the cluster and mashed them together. It clicked on. Your videos helped a lot. Thanks!

[@kingjameswww]

thanks for posting, really appreciate

[@LongologoProductions]

@kingjameswww: Thanks for the kind words!

[@tinydancer4015]

Do you know how to set the factory clock on dash? I've been struggling to find a knob or some short of dial.

[@LongologoProductions]

@Tiny Dancer: There is supposed to be a small rod coming straight down out of the bottom of the analog clock. You would pull it down slightly against counter pressure from a spring and then rotate the rod to set the clock. The rod might have fallen out from your clock. (Mine did.) When that happens, the only way to set the clock is to find a convenient time on the clock itself and then pull the clock fuse. When the real time matches the clock, plug the fuse back in. It’s not ideal but it’s a hell of a lot better than ripping apart the dash just for the clock. I’ll try to post a video of this.

[@tinydancer4015]

@@LongologoProductions thank you

[@LongologoProductions]

@Tiny Dancer: I just uploaded a short video about the clock.

[@boerenbrommer]

Would it be possible to replace the check engine bulb with a partial removal of the instrument panel? I'm diagnosing a problem that I have but noticed the check engine light isn't working, hence I can't pull any codes on my 1986. Factory service manual tells me to check the circuit from the diagnostic connector to the check engine bulb, but it's a real pain in the ass so I think I want to try replacing the bulb. Gauge fuse looks ok.

[@LongologoProductions]

You can definitely replace any of the bulbs behind the instrument panel by partially removing it. But I don’t think that the bulb for the check engine light would affect whether you can pull codes.

[@boerenbrommer]

@@LongologoProductions Thanks for the quick reply! I'm talking about pulling the codes by jumping the diagnostic terminal with a paperclip. I'm in Europe and don't have the scanning tool itself. So I would pull the codes by looking at the flashing pattern of the check engine light. Or am I wrong?

[@LongologoProductions]

@@boerenbrommer interesting… I have not tried that before and don’t know whether it would work. Let me know if you have success trying that approach!

[@bonchicodavis1444]

Man taking out the instrument cluster is a headache.. it’s limited space behind there to get the speedo cable and other plug loose 😩

[@LongologoProductions]

@Bonchico davis: Totally true! That’s why I removed the steering wheel first. Tight working space back there....

[@bonchicodavis1444]

Longologo Productions yea I don’t remember taking my wheel off but I took the one out of my 89 & put it in my 85 bc i wasn’t driving it at the time & I plan on replacing it with a Dakota Digital VHX unit

[@evangregoire6570]

How did you get to the Speedo cable

[@LongologoProductions]

@Full Throttle: It should be in the video starting at 3:30 unless I’m misunderstanding your question.

[@bonchicodavis1444]

Full Throttle it’s easy I took mines out and put it back

[@laashep]

Do you know why my gear selector isn’t working?

[@LongologoProductions]

@LAA SHEP: The clip is probably not attached to the steering column or the cable / spring that attaches to the clip might be broken off.

[@LilPaulfrmClaraSt]

Do you have to take the steering wheel off?

[@LongologoProductions]

You don’t have to remove the steering wheel, but doing so makes it easier to get the cluster out. Perhaps at minimum would be to just drop the steering column down, but it might be difficult working around that big wheel on your lap.

[@austindavid1862]

Can someone tell me why there is no temperature gauge on the instrument cluster ? There’s only Speedo and fuel gauge ?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Austin David: that’s the base instrument cluster. The full gauge cluster was an upgrade (more $). On this cluster everything other than speedo and gas gauges are just encompassed by the right side and only light up when there’s a problem (I.e., when it’s probably too late)!

[@austindavid1862]

@@LongologoProductions thank you so much, I’ve been going crazy trying to figure this out ! I’ve never had a vehicle without a temp gauge. Seems very problematic if there’s only a warning light to tell you it’s running hot. I’d rather know exactly where the temperature is sitting. Guess I’ll have to get a thermal gun to check.

[@LongologoProductions]

@Austin David: you get used to it (not having a temperature gauge). I don’t know that I would trust the gauge anyway. I’ll routinely check the coolant reservoir after driving to see that it moves between the cold and hot lines but not higher. Not precise but it gives you a sense that the coolant is circulating as the engine warms up. Although I know the temperature light does work if things get too hot.

[@ChiBluez]

Great video. Now I’ll pay someone. For sure I’d F it up

[@LongologoProductions]

@ChicagoBlues: Ha! 😏

[@travisprice6381]

I had to use 7/32 to remove that annoying nut connecting the wires

[@LongologoProductions]

@Travis Price: yeah that was a huge pain! 85 caprice too?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Kaine Nomad : which wires are you referring to? What time stamp in the video?