Passenger side dash parts removal

[84jet4rs]

Alright, just about the time you think you know everything about your car something arises and you need assistance. I need to change out the turn signal flasher on my 84. I have the shop manual, the Chiltons, the part catalog and I'll be darn if I can figure out how to get behind the passenger dash pad and carpeted sound trim pad without taking off THE MAIN DASH PAD. I dread having to do that for fear that it may crack or get damaged. Right now it is perfect.
If anyone has any recomendations it would be most helpful. I have gotten the T/S flasher out but had to stand on my head and pull out one of the EMC connectors. Again concerned with possibly doing damage to old wires I was cringing the whole time. I did not put the flasher back up where it belongs I currently have it strapped up to the wire harnesses. It bothers me that its not back up where it belongs. ANY ASSISTANCE?

 

[boomdriver]

If I am seeing the similar system on my 87, thats easiest to access thru the center bezel behind and to the right. But, the under-dash panel is easy enough to pull if that is where the flasher relay now lives. There are a couple screws and the panel pulls toward the rear and then down. Look at how its sides slip under other parts, so remounting won;t be a wrestling match. Center bezel needs to have the drivers side bezel loosened, then the center can be removed,. Look for screws on the edges, both sides. Then you can pull the center display module (couple screws) and pull it back to give clear access to flasher relays, a couple hidden fuses and other buried modules, misc elec parts,.

Don;t worry too much about the interior wiring. Its pretty tough. I had about a ft of excess harness pulled out from under the breadbox down under the ECM and was absolutely unable to get it back where it belonged.....so it got folded up best I could, stuffed up there and the under-dash panel was replaced. Just beware of the small vac lines that also live in the same area and ARE much more fragile.

Pulling the top dash pad is not a bad deal either. It has several screws along the front edge, 2 in the defroster vent and it pulls straight back. There are 4 spring clips that have to align when pushing it back in place.
The dash pad is just a big sheet of molded HD styrofoam with a shrink wrap vinyl cover. Its that cover that cracks from UV light and age. New ones are available, but they cost enough to want to avoid.

 

[84jet4rs]

Thanks

Thanks, I just don't see it. but I will take another look at that lower dash panel again. There has got to be a couple of hidden screws and then I'll try to slide it down and out. It just can't be this difficult. I did have the center bezel out and I couldn't see a thing to the right that was accessable. Thanks again for the info.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

BE CAREFUL!
Boomdriver in dash pad removal forgot to mention 2 screws that are hiding on each side near the defroster vents on the 84! Pull without removing them and CRACK!
Pics at my site:
http://corvette1984.freewebtools.com/DIRECTORIES/REPAIRS/DashPadRemovalTips/dash.html

When I changed my flasher I removed the dash pad and it still was a little annoying...easiest way though.

 

[boomdriver]

Pulling the top dash pad is not a bad deal either. It has several screws along the front edge, 2 in the defroster vent and it pulls straight back. There are 4 spring clips that have to align when pushing it back in place.
The dash pad is just a big sheet of molded HD styrofoam with a shrink wrap vinyl cover. Its that cover that cracks from UV light and age. New ones are available, but they cost enough to want to avoid.

I was pretty sure I hit 'em all. Just did'nt say how many total....

and 84jet4rs,the access thru center bezel comes from pulling the display panel and sometimes the radio, not just the bezel. There is access to a whole new world back there if you pull 2 or 3 things (display panel, radio, a/c controller).

 

[84jet4rs]

Cool Stuff

Thanks Boomer and Archieve. Got company this week and headed for Tampa next I'll pull that dash pad and just get into that who area when I return. Sounds easy!:L

 

[CorvetteArchives]

I was pretty sure I hit 'em all. Just did'nt say how many total....

I saw the part you bold faced...I think you are refering to the 2 screws in the center top defroster?
I just didnt want him to miss the 2 in the edges near the windows on his 84.
On my 84 there are ALSO two on the door SIDE near the side defroster that are partially hidden by the weatherstrip. I actually never put them back in as it was unecessary. I'll bet GM did the same on later models.