I've got a 1991 Z28 with a few bulbs burned out in the instrument cluster. How do you get to these bulbs? I try to take the trim ring off but it hits the headlight switch. I don't want to break anything, so i'm not sure what to do. Anyone have any pictures of this process? Any help would be appreciated and yes, i've already searched and couldn't find anything conclusive.

 

I don't have any pictures, but I taken out my gauge cluster plenty of times, so I think I can help.

First thing to do is remove the knee bolster (it's the 2 big plastic pieces under the steering column) that's held in with 5 torx bolts. Then unbolt the 2 7mm bolts that hold the bottom of the trim piece, pull the headlight **** as far out as it will go (disconnect the battery first so you don't drain it) and unpop (just pull on it) the trim piece. Remove the electrical connectors for the cigarette lighter, rear defrost, and fog lights if you have these, from the trim piece. Now, if you look up from the bottom of the trim piece where the headlight **** is you will see that it is held in by a large metal device (called the headlight switch). To remove the headlight **** from the switch, feel for a small button towards the back of the switch on the bottom (it's about the size of a nail head). Push the button in as far as it will go, and gently tug on the ****, and it should come right out. Now you can remove the trim piece.

Tilt the steering column all the way down so you can remove these pieces easier. Now unbolt the clear plastic cover that's held in with 6 small bolts. Then unbolt the gray cover piece that's held in with 3 small bolts on the top of the cluster. Now just unbolt the 4 7mm bolts and slowly pull out the gauge cluster. Your done. Installation is the reverse.

I know this sounds like a lot, but it only takes 20 minutes or less to do all this.

Once the cluster's out, you just have to twist the bulbs slightly to the left to unpop them from the cluster. What you'll notice, though, is that the bulbs do not disconnect from their holders. You have to buy individual bulbs and holders for the burned out bulbs. Most auto part stores should carry the holders, but not all of them do. I found mine at Autozone under the name of " 1/2" Instrument Panel Sockets". Their part number is 85835 (company is Motormite). Make sure to get 194 bulbs, too, their better than the 161 bulbs.

If you need a better explanation on anything, just post or PM me. Hope this helps.

EDIT: Here's a picture of the part you need:

 

I really recommend dropping the steering column a bit or you'll end up scuffing it trying to maneuver the cluster out. When you remove the knee bolster panels, get upside down with a flashlight and look up inside the dash. You'll see two bolts holding a U-clamp that holds the steering column up. Loosen them enough to drop the column about a half-inch to an inch. That's all you really need. Remember to retighten them when you're done with the cluster.

 

Cool, thanks a lot! I'll go try this this evening

 

Now that ur digging into your cluster, why not put in some LEDs? Here is a link in to a tech article here on TGO that will show you how to do it. Also, even if you dont go LED that link contains pics on how to take apart as your cluster.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/leddash.shtml