Usually, the engineers who designed the harnesses allowed enough service
loop in the wiring that you can pull the cluster out far enough to
disconnect the wires, but you may have to unbend a few restraining clips to
do this. Are you sure you disconnected the speedometer cable? Also, if
your car has a trip odometer, you may have to unbolt that from the dash
metal also to pull the cluster. Another thing to check is the oil pressure
gauge tubing, if it is hydraulically operated. I doubt you'd have a bourdon
tube type temperature gauge in 1958, but I don't know from DeSotos, so check
that out also. If you do, that's another metal line that connected to the
backside of the dash instruments.
If someone has done some creative rewiring back there, you're on your own.
Get a good light, move the seat all the way back and down, and slither in
under the dash for a good look at what is hanging you up. Don't let it
buffalo you, now - it ain't rocket science!
Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Buffalow <gr8fins@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ImperialClub <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 5:23 AM
Subject: IML: Instrument removal - How?
> Need some help on a non-Imperial topic, but related..
> I have to remove instrument cluster on a '58 DeSoto
> since there are some problems with the wiring behind
> it and possibly ignition. The instruments come out
> about 3 inches then, no go. Can anyone advise how to
> remove the instrument cluster? Or is there another
> way to get to the wiring? The service manual is no
> help. I am taking the liberty of contacting the list
> since a lot of the contributors have other Forward
> Look cars.
> Thanks for any help.
> Greg Buffalow
>
>
> =====
> Preserve the Forward Look!
>
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