I'm trying to remove the analog clock on my '84 944, as it has stopped working. I thought this was a no brainer, just remove the two screws and the A/C **** and it would come right off. But something seems to be holding it on still, and I don't want to force it and break it off. What is the correct way to remove it?

 

There is a " [ " shaped bracket on the back of the clock. It is held on by 2 thumb screw, threaded barrel things. You have to remove that entire part of the console to get to it, or just sacrifice about 6 - 8 inches of one of your arms trying to get back behind it.

It's not hard really, IF you have the console out. That being said, there is a BUNCH of wires in the console and not a lot of "play" in any of them. I replaced mine while redoing the whole interior.

I would leave it broken unless you are doing other mods/repairs in the area, ie new stereo, gauges, etc...

I have pics of it somewhere, I will see if I can find them tomorrow when I get home.

my .02

 

How do you get the console around the clock out? Does just the top section with the clock and A/C **** come out, or do I have to remove the whole dash?

 

you can get to it if you take out the middle vent and then bend the black plastic thing up. its pretty pliable, and will go back over the vent fairly easily. good luck finding a working clock!

-Michael-

 

partsheaven said they have a used clock that works for $35.00, but who knows.

 

Just remove one of the carpeted side panels you can get to all the gauges threw there.

 

The carpeted side panels on my 84 are solid plastic. The carpet is just stapled/glued to it.

This whole piece can be pulled some, this is what I was refering to "sacrificing part of your arm", (Oh and I forgot,,,you will be laying over the passanger door jamb,,it only hurts a little after you stand up ) just don't bend it too much, or it will not go back to original shape.

 

So, it sounds like I either remove the whole dash or try to pull back the plastic/carpet, right? I hate to have ANYTHING broken, even though I have a CD player with a clock on it, so guess I will go for it and hope I don't break anything (on me or the car).

 

I had to change the little bulb on the clock a while back in my 1983 NA. From what I recall, I took out the two big screws under the ashtray, the ones on the sides of the console hidden in the carpet (and other screws I dont remember about), pulled the stereo out, and the whole console was able to slide forward giving me acces to the back of the clock. (all the guages still in the console ie AC, vent sliders, oil guage, moved forward with the console).

 

I actually did a write up on how to change the clock light on an early dash a few years ago but I just did a search for the thread and apparently it doesn't go back far enough. I did the write up because every site that had something similar was geared for the later model dash clocks. Sorry about that. Anyways, good luck on that.

 

Personally, I find the VDO analog clock in the early cars to be much nicer than the bland digital clock/chrono units that replaced it in the 85.5 dash restyling.

Apparently, Porsche thought so too and brought it back in the 968, although changing its location and keeping the digital unit as a thermometer.

My 83 has over 200K miles and the clock has always kept perfect time. AFAIK, only the lightbulb has been changed.

 

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION -- read my post. you don't have to remove your whole dash.

all you need to do to get it out is remove the vent above the center console.

-Michael-

 

Just remove the screws by the TOP part of the center consol. There are only like 2 screws and the top section of the center console comes off (you'll see a line across just under the clock). Then it's simple from there. That's where the A/F mixture gauge sits in my 84 and it looks great with a matching Oil Pressure gauge in the spot the stock one was!

unfortunately, teh pics are a little old before I had the matching one in...

 

I believe the screws are at the top corners, then there is a funky clip type thing holding the top section to the part with the heater *****. It takes a bit of wiggleing to get that plastic connector off, but it's not hard at all. I think there are like 2 tabs you have to push in and slide the top section out (it only comes so far becuase of the wires).

 

When I started pulling the top section out, the silver paint is worn off along the line that separates the two pieces. Has anyone found the right color match to do touch ups on this part of the dash?