[Chase72]

Does anyone have instructions or links to a site for step-by-step instructions on how to take out the Dash on a 944 S2?

Two of my dash lights have been burned out for over a year... and it's time to replace them so I can see the speedo at night (the Force wasn't working anymore). My real concern is disconnecting the steering wheel airbag...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[VaSteve]

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-24.htm

One day I'm going to hack into my wiring and put in a big old shift light. When you're done report back as to how much work this was.

[Mike W]

http://www.clarks-garage.com/

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-24.htm

What I don't know (as I am worried about dash lights as well) is if you actually have to take off the steering wheel to do this. I really hate the idea of messing with airbags.

[Chase72]

Yeah, thanks for the links...I saw them on Clark's... but wasn't sure if the wheel needed to be removed. Messing with the airbags makes me queasy... it would be my luck that the bag would go off! (then again, if that happened, I could switch to a 968 wheel!)

Anyone ever change the dash lights before? This happened because the genius before me thought 5W bulbs would be brighter... but the dash won't tolerate over the standard 3W bulbs... so I watched them blow out. Ugh.

Let me know if you guys know of any other means... thanks! (and yes, I've driven with a small flashlight to see check the speed during long trips)

[HoodPin]

FWIW, I recently pulled the guage cluster out of my '91 that was wrecked. I've always been unhappy with the dash lights on the guages, and I think I now know why. When I got the pod out, I found that the 3 bulbs are at the back end of poorly designed flat prism that's supposed to direct the light onto the guage faces. Well, the prism and reflective surface appear quite dirty and/or discolored. Plus, they are permantly attached by plastic rivets that appear to have been melted into place. Not a friendly design.

I suppose it might be possible to remove the plastic rivets and remove the prisms to try and clean. I'm not sure what can be done with the reflective surface, that appears to be corroded from what little I can see.

Also, while I was able to remove the pod with the steering wheel in place, it wasn't easy. I'd recommend removing the wheel. I believe if the battery is disconnected first, its highly unlikely the airbag would deploy.

[racer]

I say trigger the bag. Is a 17 year old bag good anyway? I know most manufacturers say to inspect and or replace after 8 years. I'd be pretty disappointed if the bag was needed and didn't work due to corrosion or became brittle with age. Just an obscure $.02

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by racer

I say trigger the bag. Is a 17 year old bag good anyway? I know most manufacturers say to inspect and or replace after 8 years. I'd be pretty disappointed if the bag was needed and didn't work due to corrosion or became brittle with age. Just an obscure $.02

Most manufacturers recommend checking the system at 10 years and then every 1-2 years afterwards on top of the OBD. Typically they use corrosion resistant connectors on the SRS systems. Gold or gold plate IIRC. Within the last few years they did a test on an airbag system from a mid-70's Olds and the bag still deployed.

You are probably right that the bag probably won't deploy when you R&R. Sill makes me nervous. When it comes time to replace my lights I will have to. Certainly not paying someone to replace $10 in light bulbs.

Quick google search revealed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag

[VaSteve]

Is a 17 year old airbag like the bag that people carry around in their wallet until it makes a ring like a dip can? LOL

Ok, to provide something useful. I think the reflective surface is just "chroming" like they do to plastic toys and whatnot. I have read on Rennlist, etc that some guys just line the thing with tin foil and it's just a good (or bad as it was from the factory ). I'd also suggest one of those mylar ballons turned inside out. If you want ricey yellow gauges, leave it Spongebob side out.

[KevinOyler]

It is possible to remove the gauges without removing the steering wheel, but it requires bending the plastic on the bezel and risking cracking something. You can take the steering wheel off if you disconnect the battery before removing the air bag. One caution: avoid turning on the key while the air bag is disconnected as this will induce a fault in the airbag check system. Airbag faults are hard coded and must be actively removed, ie will not remove themselves at the start-up check once an error has been detected by the check system.

I have used the clean tunnel, apply silver foil and replace bulbs with slightly higher wattage gauge lighting improvement trick with improved lighting as a result. Installing slightly higher wattage bulbs should not cause the bulb to fail prematurely if everything else is in good condition. The danger is if too high a wattage is used, melting can occur.

After reinstalling the airbag and battery I always start the car from the passenger seat the first time as a precaution in case I screwed up somehow.

[smdubovsky]

*someone* recently blew up my old 1990 E30 airbag. Never met them before in my life There was drinking involved and I seem to remember it was on Jul 4th, but placed face down in *someones* backyard it went ~30ft into the air. Even drunk, we knew to be much farther away than this. Was extremely loud and remained hot enough to burn you 10-15min afterwards (the metal housing). It would not be fun to have one go off in your face. In my best beavis voice: huh, huh, it was cool. We might have to find another pair next year and have jumping contests...

FWIW, I think the bentley manual states to disconnect the battery for 10min before disconnecting the bag.

SMD
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