Calgary Ole

What is the easiest way? Should the pod be removed or can it be done from underneath the dash?

Adamant1971

Pod out. It's a good time to change your odometer gear and clean the gauge contacts.

Calgary Ole

Pod has been out a couple times for hvac actuator replacement. PIA but if that's the best way then I'll do it again.
90 s4 so digital dash and no speedo gear!

Landseer

Battery must be disconnected.
Big sparks otherwise.
Big.

Calgary Ole

Great advice!

(Rescued a 180pd Newf this winter btw!)

Landseer

Big pup!!! Is he with you still?

Cold winter down here. Newf's feet got so cold at -17 that we needed to help one back into the house.

Calgary Ole

This is his home now for good. He is a great dog! We find that there webbed paws get packed with snow during the cold winter days that it hurts them to walk.

I am going to do a search on pod removal. I found one a couple years ago when I did the actuators. Can't remember who wrote it but it was quite good. If anyone has it handy....tia!

Randy V

The switch can be replaced without removing the pod, just much easier to remove it.

jheis

It also helps to have a really short screwdriver with about a 1/4" wide tip. The switch is held in with two slotted screws that screw in from the back and they can be a real pain to get to.

I ended up cutting most of the handle off of one of those Harbor Fright freebies so that it is about 2 1/2" long.

James

Calgary Ole

Thanks Randy and James

I might give it a try. I would like to get the new switch in ASAP. I will have to remove the pod later for a different project but I don't have the parts ready yet.
So 2 slotted screws. Short screwdriver. Probably have to lay out under the dash to reach them?

dr bob

Remove the pod bolts but just raise the pod in place and prop it up. No need to disconnect any pod wiring this way. A stubby screwdriver worked for me. A 90 degree ratcheting screwdriver might be easier. IMHO

Calgary Ole

Great idea. I'll give it a try!

jheis

The difficult part is that you can't see the slots in the screws so you have to do it by feel - and since your going in from the back - turning is the opposite of what your used to.

James

jpitman2

My question is, are you sure you need to replace it ? I did mine a year or two back because it seemed to be the cause of failures to crank. It actually ran a lot better after the change, so it was worth it. Then it failed to crank again - it was the starter relay all the time....Along the way I cleaned up several contacts on the instrument panel contacts, notably the earths, and now the gauges are more stable.
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k

Indy Rev

The 2 screws are the worst part of the project. I disconected the pod just enough to be able to move it around. A ratchetting 90 screw driver would have been nice. Once you brake the screw free I found it easier to spin it out with my finger and also replace it the same way.