VW Cabriolet Dashboard Removal
Home Radiator Radiator 2 Dashboard Paint Problems
VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Like most electrical repairs, the dash repair starts by disconnecting the ground of the battery.

Most of the images here do not yet have captions. I hope to have the captions ready by the middle of September 2003.

Click any image for a larger view.

Note: there are 4 pages of dashboard repair images. Believe it or not, all these images are from the procedure to replace instrument cluster light bulbs. The actual light bulb part is way over on the 4th page. Installation is more or less reverse of removal, and I don't have photos of putting the dash back together.

Keep careful track of each screw as you remove it. Many of them are not interchangable, and I've learned that the hard way. Draw a diagram, and tag each screw. Or go to your favorite hardware/home supply store and get one of those multi-compartment containers for the screws and little notes.

You might need a somewhat special screwdriver or other tool. I go to Sears for good tools, and AutoZone for inexpensive stuff (or Walmart, K-Mart).

VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Remove the negative ( - ) battery terminal before working under the dashboard.

VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Carefully pry.
VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights The bezel that came from around the switches.

VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights These are standard stereo removal tools. You should be able to get them at AutoZone, RadioShack, and the usual auto stereo stores.
VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Closeup of the U shaped radio removal tool in place on the left side of the radio.

VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights The radio half way out. The U shaped tools release locking tabs along the sides of the radio.

VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Squeeze those tabs to remove the connectors.
VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Thick black wire is the antenna wire. Don't forget to put in back on when reassembling everything!
VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Pull off the heater control levers.
VW Cabriolet, dashboard, instrument cluster, lights Fan knob pulls off too.