I disconnected my battery for this because I didn't want any check engine light coming on because of disconnecting the cluster. I don't know that it would come on from that but better safe than sorry.

Before you disconnect your battery, lower your windows and move the driver's seat all the way back.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

 

The next step is to remove the one screw holding the lower cover on. It's located by the hood release. After you remove it, pull down on the upper part of the cover. It just snaps in.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271516-DIY Gauge Cluster 01.jpg

 

Then remove the 4 screws holding the lower steering colum cover on. They're located around the tilt lever.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271517-DIY Gauge Cluster 02.jpg

 

Pull down on all four corners of the lower steering column cover and it will pop off.

Then remove the upper steering colum cover. It also just snaps in.

Remove the turn signal assembly by squeezing the upper and lower tabs.

Do the same for the wiper assembly.


Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271518-DIY Gauge Cluster 03.jpg

 

Remove these 2 screws.



Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271520-DIY Gauge Cluster 04.jpg

 

Now remove the 4 10mm bolts. You'll need an extension or deep-well socket for a couple of them.

Then pry off the ignition bezel.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271522-DIY Gauge Cluster 05.jpg

 

Now nothing is holding the cluster to the car except 2 plugs in the back and the mirror plug.

Lift up on the bottom so you can disconnect the mirror plug.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271523-DIY Gauge Cluster 06.jpg

 

The next step was the hardest for me. Removing the 2 plugs in the back. I had to look through the windshield while working my hands behind the cluster. The hard part is pushing the little tab down on the plugs and pulling the plug out at the same time.

I used a very small flat tip screwdriver to apply pressure to the tab while disconnecting. I was worried that if I used pliers I might damage the plastic plug.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271524-DIY Gauge Cluster 07.jpg

 

Great thread Russ.
As soon as everyone has had a look, I'll move it to our DIY forum for reference.

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>
<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>
<font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

 

I hope you'll pardon me if I seem obtuse, but I have an honest question... Why would one remove the gauge cluster?

'03 G35s 5AT, Garnet Fire/Willow
Staggered 18" SSR GT1/Bridgestone PP S03
Eibach Springs/Sways, Stillen 2-pc BBK
Stillen Intake & SS Cat-Back Dual Exhaust

 

to do stuff like this


My 350GT


271706-gauge panorama.jpg

 

I originally did it to mount my V1 remote inside.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

271710-V1remote nismo.jpg

 

Russ;
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Now we need to get a DIY for changing the bulbs!

03 Sedan,Clear Corners, Blinker Mirrors, Stillen: HFAB, GK, Exhaust, Z-Tube, Eibach Pro Kit, 18'' XS Style 420's

 

yea i agree...awesome job. i just cant stand the orange lights but not sure how difficult it would be to change ALL the led's back there. anybody have some experience with it...perhaps another DIY??

good job.

2004.5 G35 Coupe
5AT / Black on Black / Premium / Splash
soon: 35% tint, 4080's custom box, JL sub/amp (not sure which yet)

 

Nice job with the DIY!

2003 G35c/5AT/BS-Graphite/Prem/Aero/Splash/NISMO sway bars/JWT Popcharger/Z-Tube