When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Removed my gauge cluster in order to repair dead pixels. While removing the cluster, the locking 'arm' on the harness broke but the cluster came free. Now the cluster is back from repair and I am attempting to install. I'm finding the harness simply isn't long enough for me to squeeze my hand behind the cluster to plug it back in. There are several how-to videos but from what I can tell, the harness on my car isn't 'protruding' out as far.
Seeking help finding a way to gain enough space to plug the harness back into the cluster.
Here is a still shot from a how-to video showing where the harness clip is in relation to the cluster opening
Here is where my harness clip is in relation to the cluster opening. It's just not long enough and doesn't extend out as far as the how-to videos I've watched.
The plastics are ABS and can be glued together with 2 part epoxy adhesive. JB Weld marine grade. Is this possible with your situation?
If the wire harness were long enough I'd be able to plug it back into the back of the cluster. I sourced a new locking clip (the pink plastic piece in the pic above) so it will lock back into place IF I had enough slack in the wire harness to slip my hand behind the cluster and plug it back in.
I've pulled on the wire harness hoping to get some addtl slack but there isn't any. The how-to's I've watched clearly show other 997's having more slack to work with.
Perhaps the answer is removing the upper and/or lower dashboard to have access from above or underneath.
You don’t have to remove the dash. You have to basically plug it in blindly. If sitting in the driver seat use your left arm to push the left side of gauge assembly in almost at 90 degrees. The right side of the cluster will be pointing out at you. Try to position the blue cable next to the area where it plugs into the cluster. While holding the cluster with your left hand, use your right hand to go behind the cluster and plug it in by feel. I have done it this way many times and it works well. Good luck
You don’t have to remove the dash. You have to basically plug it in blindly. If sitting in the driver seat use your left arm to push the left side of gauge assembly in almost at 90 degrees. The right side of the cluster will be pointing out at you. Try to position the blue cable next to the area where it plugs into the cluster. While holding the cluster with your left hand, use your right hand to go behind the cluster and plug it in by feel. I have done it this way many times and it works well. Good luck
I have attempted this and the harness isnt long enough to accomplish this on my car. I need about 2 more inches length on the wire harness. The pics included in my first post show another car's harness clearly comes out further than mine.
These pics might help show how far back the wire harness and clip sit in my car. I've tried getting my hand behind on the right side and the left side and the wire harness doesn't have enough length. I've pulled on the harness and this is as far outward it goes.
If you look at https://rennlist.com/how-tos/a/porsc...cluster-387180, it is clear from the pictures that something must be blocking the cable on your plug so that you can't get it out far enough. You have to try to get more play by twisting, pulling back and forth etc. There is no other way!
If the cable is really hung-up back there, you may want to remove the radio/PCM module to get access (not difficult). But why would it get hung up? Was there any mods done to your car such as aftermarket radio or something else that would result in fiddling with the dash?
If the cable is really hung-up back there, you may want to remove the radio/PCM module to get access (not difficult). But why would it get hung up? Was there any mods done to your car such as aftermarket radio or something else that would result in fiddling with the dash?
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
Radio is OEM and as far as I can tell has always been that way (I'm the 3rd owner). I've tried pulling, twisting, shaking and pulling with no success. Started getting frustrated so will come back to it and try again.
your cable is stuck, dealt with this on 2 separate 997s. You need to wiggle and pull it pretty hard (dont be too nervous). As far as the broken connector, suncoast sells the replacement receptacle, its 2 pieces, the inner part with the harness and pins slides out of the housing with the latch. Its very simple and just held into the housing with 2 side clips. You buy the connector and swap the housing over in 10 seconds. Let me know if you need any help.
The factory connector housing has a 90 degree strain relief and the suncoast(vw part) has a straight strain relief which you will need to clip off.
Also to remove the original housing youll need to take some of that tape off on the strain relief.
I pulled mine a few months ago to put new gauge faces in, but I had more slack than that. Try running a borescope back there and seeing if it may be hung up somewhere.
Appreciate the responses. Encouraging to know this isn't the first time someone encountered this and it's likely that the wiring is hung up somewhere. I will tackle this over the weekend when I'm back with the car.
02-25-2024 | 03:33 PM
Reinstalling Guage Cluster - Help!
