Hi everyone,

I'm not sure if my winter budget will stretch to an Abarth style of instrument cluster. I might collect the parts I need slowly and creep up on it.

As an interim I'd quite like to convert the existing cluster from KpH to MpH, and have spotted these on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322373525615?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322373544054?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I've had a very quick look at the unit in situ and can't see an obvious way of removing the cover and switching these parts over from within the cabin. This led me to think that I might have to remove the entire unit, from the bulkhead side, in order to get to it and switch the glass and the dial.

Has anyone got any experience of this? Can I do this without removing the entire unit?

Pete
the entire cluster will come away when you compress the two spring clips leaving just two eight gang electrical sockets and the speedo cable connected.

The entire assembly breaks down very easily - so replacing the scale legend is no problem - kitchen table project.

I bought my gauges piece meal as they came available at a price i was willing to pay.....it was rather fun way of building something unique.

Due to many reasons I have yet to test my dash pod in the vehicle - bench test was all OK - and I've wired my new pod with the same connectors as found on the rear of the 500L binnacle - and adapted the cars wiring loom to incorporate the new signals from coil, battery, oil pressure & temp, fuel and alternator

AndrewHarvey said:

Pete
the entire cluster will come away when you compress the two spring clips leaving just two eight gang electrical sockets and the speedo cable connected.

Click to expand...

Thanks Andrew, where are the spring clips located?

two spring clips inside bonnet firewall from memory - if LHD the wiper is kinda in the way.

Here's a thread I started with instructions
Technical: Fiat 500 L dash - The FIAT Forum
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/441265-fiat-500-l-dash.html?p=4189998

Franko500 said:

Here's a thread I started with instructions
Technical: Fiat 500 L dash - The FIAT Forum
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/441265-fiat-500-l-dash.html?p=4189998

Click to expand...

That's fantastic, just what I needed!

Franko500 said:

Here's a thread I started with instructions
Technical: Fiat 500 L dash - The FIAT Forum
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/441265-fiat-500-l-dash.html?p=4189998

Click to expand...

Once quick question, screwing the speedo cable back in, is that pretty straight forward?

You just push the cable into the hole in the end of the speedo and then tighten up the nut by hand. That's the easiest part of it lol

maybe buy this and sell on yours?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-500-...340232?hash=item3d31502208:g:YekAAOSwt5hYhl9u

AndrewHarvey said:

maybe buy this and sell on yours?



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-500-...340232?hash=item3d31502208:g:YekAAOSwt5hYhl9u

Click to expand...

That's a really good shout.

Franko500 said:

Here's a thread I started with instructions

Technical: Fiat 500 L dash - The FIAT Forum

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/441265-fiat-500-l-dash.html?p=4189998

Click to expand...

Sorry, one more question. What's the best way to physically remove the pod from inside. From your document I can see that you have to essentially unclip (depress??) the metal tabs at the bottom and manoeuvre the pod out at an angle, but how did you/do you actually tackle those bottom clips? Metal ruler? Small flat head screw drivers?

Anxious not to break something here, given it's been in situ for over 40 years!

Flat screwdriver. Push them upwards to allow them to go over the metal surround that is welded to the dash. The bottom comes out about an inch and then you unhook the top

Thanks for your input on this one everyone. The glass (plastic) and dial had arrived when I got home tonight, so I tackled the job (at the kitchen table as it happens) and, fingers crossed, all seems well.

The lights all still work, will double check the actual speedo next time I take it for a spin.

Load an app on you phone for gps calculated speed on a level road