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Porsche 928: How to Remove Instrument Cluster

Lets face it, your 928 is a an older car and sometimes instrument bulbs burn out. Learn how to access the instrumental panel by following the instructions provided below.

By Neftali Medina - April 20, 2015
Contributors: Clarks-garage

This article applies to the Porsche 928 (1979-1995).

A dead bulb on the instrumental panel can make for a bad distraction or even cause visibility issues while driving at night. Accessing the bulbs is a relatively easy task and may require removal of the steering wheel depending on the year of your Porsche 928. Learn how to complete this DIY job below.

Materials Needed

  • Metric Allen wrench set
  • Metric socket set
  • Screwdriver

Step 1 – Remove the driver side rubber grommet

Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the rubber grommet between the driver-side door and dashboard. It is placed in the air vents. Loosen and remove the 10mm nut found inside.

If your car has an airbag, skip to Step 3; if not, continue to Step 2.

Figure 1. Remove the driver-side grommet.

Step 2 – Remove the steering wheel

  • Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  • Pry off the center horn button on the steering wheel.
  • Disconnect the wire that's attached to the horn button.
  • Use a 24mm socket to remove the steering nut.
  • Pull the steering wheel off.
Figure 2. Remove the steering wheel nut.

Step 3 – Begin removing dashboard bolts

There are several bolts that hold the dashboard, cluster, and trim pieces in place. They range between 10mm to 13mm in size, some of which are Allen type bolts.

  • Remove the Allen bolt located under the steering wheel.
  • Remove the two 13mm bolts found beneath the center console's carpet.
    • Figure 3. The Allen key bolt located under the steering wheel.
    • Figure 4. Location of the two 13mm bolts on the center console.
  • Loosen and remove the 10mm nut under the RDK ECU.
    • Figure 5. Nut located under RDK-ECU.

Step 4 – Remove the bracket bolts holding the Instrumental panel

There are either four or five Allen key bolts mounted on two brackets that hold the instrumental panel in place. Newer model 928s with airbags will have five bolts and older models will just have four. Locate and remove each one, using Figure 6 for reference.

Figure 6. Instrumental bracket bolts locations.

Step 5 – Remove the instrumental pod

  • Take a screwdriver and remove the rubber grommet for the ignition key lock.
  • Gently pull the pod out towards your chest.
  • Take the cluster and move it side ways towards the driver-side door to completely remove it.
Figure 7. Pull the instrumental pod out.

Step 6 – Unclip the instrumental gauge connectors

The instrumental panel is only held in place by four connectors on its back.

  • Carefully pull each connector lever up.
  • Pull each connector out.
  • Figure 8. locate all four connectors.
  • Figure 9. Pull each lever up and remove the instrumental panel.
  • Figure 10. The removed gauge cluster.

Step 7 – Open the tabs on the cluster

Pull open the tabs on the cluster to access the bulbs. The bulbs are rated as follows:

  • Yellow light bulb holders - 12v 1.5 watt bulbs, 10 count. Used for the computer display and gear selector lights.
  • Blue light bulb holders - 12v 1.2 watt bulbs, 16 count. Used for the warning lights.
  • Brown light bulb holders - 12v 2 watt bulbs, 4 count. Used for the cluster backlight.
Figure 11. Light bulb locations.

Step 8 – Replace the bulbs

To replace the bulbs, just twist and remove them.

  • Replace the bulbs.
  • Reassemble the instrumental pod, knee protector panel, trim pieces and (if applicable) the steering wheel.
  • Reconnect the negative battery cable and test your newly replaced lights.
Figure 12. Replace the light bulbs.

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